Neil Gudmestad, University Distinguished Professor of plant pathology, received the 2015 Potato Man for All Seasons Award from the National Potato Council by the potato magazine The Packer.

Gudmestad was presented the award Jan. 14 by The Packer’s national editor Tom Karst at the council's annual awards banquet in Las Vegas.

He is the first academic to be given the award, which is traditionally only presented to potato growers and processing leaders.

In The Packer's article about the honor, Gudmestad was quoted as saying, “It’s a tremendous honor and I appreciate it. I have worked hard for the industry and I want to thank everybody who helped give me this honor.”

The article also quoted Chuck Gunnerson, president of the Northern Plains Potato Growers Association, who described Gudmestad as a world-renowned potato researcher who has helped growers in many regions.

“He brings a great deal to the table — his knowledge, his expertise, his way of working with growers and putting into growers’ terminology,” he said. “He is a friend and a professional.”

Gudmestad is an authority on the biology and management of potato diseases. During his nearly 40-year research career, he has focused on pathogen biology and genetic diversity of a number of pathogens that cause foliar and soil-borne diseases of potato. In 2014, Gudmestad received the Partnership Award, the highest honor from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture.

Gudmestad is a fellow of the American Phytopathological Society, an Honorary Life Member of the Potato Association of America and he has been awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award from the World Potato Congress for his contributions and dedication to the global potato industry.

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