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“FarmHer on RFD-TV” visits a potato empire built on a passion for family and farming

  • Mars Hill, Maine, woman featured in Friday’s episode of “FarmHer on RFD-TV” 
  • Sue McCrum is a family farm leader and an agricultural advocate

GREENSBORO, N.C., USA, February 27, 2018 – Tune in to “FarmHer on RFD-TV” this Friday, March 2, to see how former X-ray technician Sue McCrum helped turn a century-old farming operation into a potato empire. 

“As Sue introduced me to her family, showed me years’ worth of photos and told me about the operation, it was easy to see that family and agriculture are her life,” said FarmHer host and founder, Marji Guyler-Alaniz. “Everything she does builds a brighter future for her children and grandchildren.”

Sue didn’t grow up on a farm; she married into ag life. Her husband, Jay, worked on a family farm in Mars Hill, Maine, which had been in operation since the 1880s. Together, in 1972, they took over the farm and oversaw about 65 acres of potatoes. Since then, their farm has increased to about 12,000 acres, and their business has become a full operation, complete with its own transport company and potato processing plant. These days, their potatoes are used in McDonald’s® french fries, Lays® and Cape Cod® potato chips, and more.
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Sue did everything she could to help out on the farm while raising three kids. She helped at harvest, drove tractors and kept her family well-fed as they worked the land. 

In recent years, Sue and Jay have taken a step back from the farm, leaving her sons and nephews to lead the charge. In her newly won free time, she remains active in other areas of the ag industry. Sue helped found the Agri-Women organization in Maine and went on to become president of the national organization. She also participated in Syngenta leadership programs.

“As a member of American Agri-Women, I am a graduate of Syngenta’s Leadership at Its Best program,” Sue said. “The training instilled in me confidence to use my voice in advocating for agriculture.” 

Syngenta, the presenting sponsor of “FarmHer on RFD-TV,” is proud to feature McCrum as a FarmHer. She is a leader in her family, her work and her community.

“It is easy to see Sue’s passion on her face and hear it in her voice as she talks about her family and farm,” said Guyler-Alaniz. “Sue is the perfect example of a strong FarmHer. Over time, she has played many different roles on the farm, but they are all important to the health of their operation and the success of her family.”

Tune in every Friday at 9:30 p.m. Eastern time for new episodes of “FarmHer on RFD-TV.” For more information, please visit RFDTV.com. Viewers should check their local listings to find RFD-TV in their area. For more information about the Syngenta sponsorship, please visit www.syngentathrive.com.
    
About Syngenta
Syngenta is a leading agriculture company helping to improve global food security by enabling millions of farmers to make better use of available resources. Through world class science and innovative crop solutions, our 28,000 people in over 90 countries are working to transform how crops are grown. We are committed to rescuing land from degradation, enhancing biodiversity and revitalizing rural communities. To learn more, visit www.syngenta.com and www.goodgrowthplan.com. Follow us on Twitter® at www.twitter.com/SyngentaUS.

About FarmHer 
Founded in 2013 to update the image of agriculture to include women through imagery, FarmHer has become a multi-faceted source of inspiration and connection for women in all types of agriculture. FarmHer images are shared through social and traditional media, updating the image of a farmer and rancher to include the women who have always been imperative to growing food and fiber. Additionally, FarmHer impacts women through national events, a weekly TV and radio show, podcast, and lines of merchandise. See more and join the journey at farmher.com.

About RFD-TV
RFD-TV is the flagship network for RMG. Launched in December 2000, RFD-TV is the nation’s first 24-hour television network featuring programming focused on the agribusiness, equine and the rural lifestyle, along with traditional country music and entertainment. RFD-TV produces six hours of live news each weekday in support of rural America and is a leading independent cable channel available in more than 50 million homes. 


Media Contacts:
Wendell Calhoun
(336) 632-2649
wendell.calhoun@syngenta.com

Miriam Paulson
(919) 870-5718
mpaulson@gscommunications.com 

Billy Frey
(615) 296-9357
billy@rfdtv.com 

Web Resources:
Syngenta US
Thrive
Twitter
Facebook
RFD-TV
FarmHer

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