EAST LANSING, Mich. — The Michigan Potato Industry Commission (MPIC) has been honored with the Key Partner Award for its consistent collaboration with MSU Extension to develop practical solutions and advance programs that benefit Michigan agriculture.
The Key Partner Award is given annually to individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to creating, improving or promoting Extension programs.
Kelly Turner, executive director for MPIC, accepted the award during the Fall Extension Conference, which took place Oct. 20-22, 2026, at the Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center in East Lansing, Michigan.
Jeannine Schweihofer, an associate director for MSU Extension agriculture programming, nominated MPIC not only because of their financial support for key Extension personnel and programs, but also because of their engagement in advisory committees, research review panels, educational events and strategic initiatives.
“MPIC has been a longstanding partner of MSU and MSU Extension,” Schweihofer said. “They support critical potato research and outreach that helps Michigan maintain its leadership as the nation’s top producer of chipping potatoes.”
One of MPIC’s most cons...