A longtime central Wisconsin produce grower is among the honorees recognized at the World Potato Congress this spring. Stevens Point-native Richard Okray graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point with B.A. degrees in Economics and Spanish. He was employed from 1982-2020 at Okray Family Farms in Plover, growing 7,750 acres of quality row crops. The farm was started by his family over 110 years ago.
His most recent position title was President and Sales. Following his retirement in 2020 he remains a co-owner of the family farm, which won a national environmental stewardship award for its outstanding achievement in the area of pesticide risk reduction.
Okray served on the Executive Committee of the US Potato Board and was a potato industry ambassador from the United States, attending multiple World Potato Congress events in China, Scotland, New Zealand and Peru. He served two terms, including one as Chairman of the International Committee, for the U.S. Potato Board. He also served on the Wisconsin Potato Industry Board from 2015-2020, and held the position of Vice President.
The awards were presented at the 11th World Potato Congress in Dublin, Ireland on May 31.
Categories: Wisconsin, Crops, Fruits and Vegetables