Potato Grower

8 POTATO GROWER | IDAHO ANNUAL 2018 Magic Valley Truck Brokers, Inc. Keep on Truckin' "Your Friendly Truck Brokers" Boise, ID 800-635-3053 (Fax) 208-377-0956 team@magicvalleytruckbrokers.com www.magicvalleytruckbrokers.com "Those who snooze lose." Bonded & Licensed Truck Broker 167314MagVal112.indd 1 5/19/17 9:45 AM GROWER OF THE YEAR longstanding relationships with customers such as Amy's Kitchen, which has purchased the Brossys' potatoes since 1998. "This all happens by the grace of God and with the help of a lot of really nice people who have been helping us for years," he says. The Brossys raised their only son, Cooper, on the farm. By putting the property in a conservation easement through the NRCS Federal Farm Protection Program and the local land trust, they were able to purchase the farm from Bryant in 2005. Cooper grew up, left home to get a degree, and worked as a consulting geologist for several years. But as time went on, the itch to go back to the farm became more persistent. A few years ago, with Judy ailing from Alzheimer's and that itch to farm not going anywhere, Cooper moved his young family back to the Magic Valley and became a partner with Fred on the farm. "Probably the biggest reason I farm is the chance to work alongside family and friends," says Cooper. "Farming is a lot of fun when you get to watch things grow, both in the sense of watching your successes and watching your failures." "Well, the failures aren't all that fun," Fred cuts in with a laugh. "No," agrees Cooper, "but they're very illustrative. The series of challenges you have to weave your way through—I like that. I like juggling and working my way through the challenges." Fred attributes the farm's ongoing success to Judy's efforts over the years—and now that he is back on the farm, Cooper's as well. "None of this could have been achieved without Judy by my side," he says. "Even though she can no longer participate, working with Cooper every day is like a dream come true for me." The Brossy family has dedicated a lot of time and energy over the years to promoting organic production not only to consumers, but to their fellow producers. Fred truly believes every grower stands to benefit from the incorporation of at least some organic-leaning practices. "It takes people who are open-minded and see it as a way to Though they make up a fairly small percentage of the farm's acreage, potatoes provide a big chunk of the farm income for Ernie's Organics.

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