Two deserving members of Prince Edward Island’s potato industry have won industry achievement awards:  Boyd Rose and Pat Quilty.  A new award, Passion for Potatoes, recognizing deserving youth: Isaac MacEwen and Jacob Enman. 

Boyd Rose, partner of East Point Potato and RA Rose & Sons, was recognized for his significant involvement in the industry. Boyd started farming with his brother Myles and father Robert, growing potatoes for the seed, table and eventually processing industry. But it was through the purchase of East Point Potato (formerly MacKay & Hughes), with his partners, where Boyd found his stride, turning that company into the innovative and successful fresh potato packing operation it is today.  From a young age, Boyd recognized the value of industry involvement and leadership, and has served with the Potato Producers Association, Fruit and Vegetable Growers of Canada (FVGC, formerly Canadian Horticultural Council) and several terms with the PEI Potato Board as both a director and chairman of the Board.  Boyd’s steadfast character, common sense approach and sense of humour were cited as reasons for his success. His leadership has had a positive influence on his daughters, two of whom also work in the potato industry. 

Pat Quilty was also presented with an award for his commitment to the PEI Potato Industry, particularly in the seed sector. Pat is Operations Manager with the Potato Quality Institute (PQI), which he joined in 1999. Pat has an extensive background in agricultural science, earning his Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from MacDonald College of McGill University in 1982, and through his experience as Lab Technician and Supervisor with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).  Under his direction, PQI has become a cornerstone of seed potato testing and certification, offering a wide range of potato diagnostics. This work protects the integrity of PEI seed potatoes and helps ensure each new crop starts strong, healthy, and disease-free.  Pat’s grower-driven philosophy has always been at the forefront of his work.  His leadership in overseeing a specialized, industry-serving lab, owned and guided by PEI potato producers, has ensured that growers receive timely, accurate and science-driven seed testing, which is essential to their success. 

This year, the PEI Potato Board added another industry recognition, the Passion for Potatoes awards. These awards were created to highlight some of the special young people who may or may not come from a family farm, but who work in, are engaged in, and are seen as valuable members of the potato industry. This year’s inaugural recipients were Isaac MacEwen and Jacob Enman. 

Isaac is 17 years old, from New London, PEI, and has fostered a love of farming since he was a young boy, where he started growing, harvesting and selling Irish Cobblers at his farm stand and to local restaurants. He then started working on neighbouring farms, where his hardworking nature and reliability is very appreciated. Isaac’s passion and strong work ethic make him a proud representative of the younger generation of PEI’s potato industry.

Jacob is 19 years old from Vernon Bridge PEI and works with G.W Visser in Orwell, PEI. While he didn’t grow up on a farm, he approached the team as a 13 year old, looking for summer work. Jacob’s role and responsibilities have steadily grown, and now is the lead for their field irrigation systems, which speaks to Jacob’s abilities, maturity and reliability. He is a valued young member of the team and continues to be eager and willing to tackle any job in front of him.

Source:  PEI Potato Board November 24, 2025 news release