The long-term strength of the U.S. potato industry depends on sustained investment in research, infrastructure, and people. In Michigan, industry leaders took a significant step toward that future with the creation of the Michigan Potato Legacy Foundation, a grower-led donor-advised fund established to safeguard and advance research critical to the state’s $2.5 billion potato industry.
Launched by Potato Growers of Michigan, Inc. (PGMI), the Michigan Potato Legacy Foundation was designed as a flexible, industry-driven platform to ensure that Michigan potato research remained robust, relevant, and responsive to grower needs. The fund focused exclusively on Michigan potato production and processing challenges, supporting everything from applied agronomic research and variety development to infrastructure reinvestment and workforce training.
The idea for the fund emerged during the Rooted in Progress Summit held in June 2024, where Michigan growers, researchers, and industry partners identified a shared concern: the long-term sustainability of potato research in the state. As key university researchers approached retirement and research facilities required reinvestment, industry leaders recognized the need for a permanent funding mechanism that could supplement public dollars and provide continuity across generations.
PGMI stepped forward to lead the effort, positioning the foundation as a proactive solution created by growers, for growers. Dennis Iott, president of PGMI, emphasized that the fund was built to address real-world challenges facing the industry.
“The Michigan Potato Legacy Fund was created to protect the future of the state’s potato sector and the family farms who call Michigan home,” Iott said. “This grower-led initiative was designed to solve grower-identified research gaps and keep our $2.5 billion industry thriving for generations to come.”
To ensure efficiency and accountability, the fund was administered through the Fremont Area Community Foundation. This structure allowed investment decisions to remain firmly in the hands of Michigan potato growers and industry leaders, while minimizing administrative costs and offering donors a wide range of giving options. Contributions can be made through cash gifts, securities, and planned giving vehicles such as life insurance, real estate, and personal property.
The official public launch of the Michigan Potato Legacy Foundation was planned to coincide with the 2026 Michigan Winter Potato Conference, held January 27-29 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The annual conference brings together growers, processors, equipment and service providers, crop protection specialists, and university extension researchers from across Michigan and the broader U.S. potato industry. The foundation’s kickoff event — a Michigan Potato Legacy Fund Comedy Show Fundraiser — helped generate early momentum and visibility.
Central to the foundation’s early success was the establishment of the Founders Club, an inaugural group of donors whose leadership gifts laid the groundwork for long-term impact. The Founders Club included three initial giving levels: Platinum Business Members at $25,000, Gold Business Members at $15,000, and Individual Members at $5,000.
Michigan-based grower Walther Farms also demonstrated strong support, pledging more than $60,000 over the next three years – including more than $20,000 this year – to the fund and reinforcing the foundation’s grower-led mission.
Also among the early supporters was Norika America, which committed $25,000 to the fund in January 2026. Norika America is a daughter company of Norika GmbH, a Germany-based potato breeding and research company with global reach. Chris Long, managing director of Norika America, described the contribution as an investment in collaboration and innovation.
“Supporting the Michigan Potato Legacy Fund solidified Norika America’s commitment to the Michigan potato industry, Michigan State University, and the global potato industry we support,” Long said. He noted that the partnership aimed to foster improvements in potato genetics, student and staff development, and variety commercialization on an international scale.
With Michigan ranking as the eighth-largest potato-producing state in the nation — supporting more than 21,000 jobs and producing approximately 2 billion pounds of potatoes annually — the Michigan Potato Legacy Foundation was created to ensure that research excellence keeps pace with industry needs. By investing in science, infrastructure, and people, the foundation established a lasting legacy to support growers, processors, and the broader potato value chain well into the future.
To learn more about the Michigan Potato Legacy Fund or to donate, visit mipotatolegacy.com.
- This column written by the Michigan Potato Industry Commission originally appeared in the March issue of Potato Grower magazine.