BENSON, NC — In two decades at the helm of the North Carolina Sweet Potato Commission, here, Sue Johnson-Langdon has seen three major changes in the state sweet potato industry: seed quality, value-added products and integrated operations. Johnson-Langdon is retiring over the next 12 months to 18 months, allowing for transition time with her successor.Sue Johnson-Langdon

Representing a grower, Johnson-Langdon became secretary of the commission’s board of directors in 1989. “I was the only woman on the commission’s board and it seemed only natural in 1989 for me to become secretary,” she recalled, pointing out she was not expected to pour coffee. When the executive director’s office became open in 1995, she was chosen to fill the vacancy.

As new executive director, she immediately set an ambitious goal — moving from 38,000 acres planted in sweet potatoes in North Carolina in 1995 to 50,000 acres by 2000. “I was surprised we didn’t make that goal,” she said. “In fact, it took us until 2012 to reach it. But we worked hard and never gave up.” This year, 72,000 acres of sweet potatoes are planted.

Along the way, Johnson-Langdon mounted generic promotion campaigns like Signature Sweets recipes and Sipping Sweets drinks and 52 Ways to Love Sweet Potatoes point-of-sale materials. She commissioned research on consumer attitudes, launched a program on crisis management and added a popular Sweet Potatoes 101 session at the commission’s annual meeting. “If we work together and share information, more can be done,” is her mantra.

Three major changes in the state’s sweet potato industry have led to its growth, she believes.

Micro-propagated seed that is “true to type” has created a “whole new seed-production industry” in North Carolina while providing quality seed that yields reliable crops.

Also, commission research on value-added processing led to production of sweet potato fries, juices, pet food and a bevy of other products. The research was funded by $1.2 million in grants from 2001-06 from the Golden Leaf Foundation’s tobacco settlement funds. The commission also provides administrative support for a $200,000 U.S. Department of Agriculture project to develop sweet potato exports.

The third change is integrated operations, with growers adding processing, year-round refrigerated storage and logistics. Processing allows sweet potatoes not suited to retail because of size or shape to be used in making fries, pet food, etc. “Growers who formerly left 25-30 percent of their crop in the field for cosmetic reasons can now use close to 100 percent,” she added, “and new markets for sweet potatoes will open with dehydration plants in North Carolina.”

Even in semi-retirement, Johnson-Langdon hopes to keep her oar in. “I hope to land somewhere as a part-time consultant,” she said. She sees a bright future for sweet potato exports. “Sweet potatoes have gone from exotic to everyday food here and in Europe and Asia. They are trendy, with a ‘health halo’ that makes them desirable.” About 20 percent of the state’s crop is currently exported, a percentage that will grow in the years ahead, she predicted.

Recently honored by the governor’s Order of the Long Leaf Pine award, Johnson-Langdon earned another sweet potato plaudit years ago — the nickname “Sweet Sue.”