Retiring Tonsos leave legacy in San Luis Valley
Retiring Tonsos leave legacy in San Luis Valley
The fresh potato community in Colorado's San Luis Valley is bidding farewell to Jim and Sandy Tonso of Ca?on Potato Co. with great sorrow but best wishes for the future.
Thomas R. Ford, a recent inductee to the Colorado Agriculture Hall of Fame and chairman of the Colorado Potato Administrative Committee in Monte Vista, CO, took time to speak with The Produce News from his tractor as this year's potato harvest began.
"They are well-respected people," he said of the Tonsos. "[Jim] has just been dedicated to the potato industry most of his life. He's a heck of a guy." "We will miss both of their kindness, laughter and help, but wish them only the best as they retire," CPAC Administrator Linda Weyers said.
The Tonsos, who met at Colorado State University and married during their senior year of college, were the driving force behind Ca?on Potato Co. Inc., a family-operated business based in Center, CO. Mr. Tonso served as general manager at Ca?on Potato at the time of his retirement and had a 37-year history with the company. Sandy Tonso was the company's accountant and served with Ca?on Potato for 31 years.
Both say they thrived -- personally and professionally -- in their chosen work environment. Their management styles complemented each other. "Jim, as a general manager, was good at trusting people to do their jobs," Ms. Tonso said of her husband.
"Sandy is a perfectionist when it came to the books," Mr. Tonso said of his wife.
Work stayed at the office to the greatest extent possible but came home when necessary. "We were good at keeping an eye on each other," Mr. Tonso said. "We just didn't take things personally."
Their retirement became official Aug. 31, but the Tonsos chose to stay on as the harvest ramped up to ensure a smooth transition. Mr. Tonso's brother, David, now fills the corporate shoes as general manager, and Matt Glowczewski handles the bulk of company sales. John Tonso heads company operations, and Tina Riley has taken over the office work.
Mr. Tonso's family roots sink deep into Colorado. His grandfather immigrated to the United States at the turn of the 20th century, and his father and uncle started Ca?on Vegetable Growers in Ca?on City, CO, in 1946.
"[My grandfather] grew everything you can imagine and serviced the coal camps. He was part of the food chain," Mr. Tonso laughed.
Ca?on Potato was formed in 1956, and the family officially moved to the San Luis Valley and settled in Center, CO, in 1958. By the time he was in the fourth grade, Mr. Tonso was riding high. "I drove all the cabbage in [on the tractor]," he said. "The thing I recollect was it was so interesting. It was just a very fun place to grow up. Growing up on a farm gives you a real perspective."
Trucking was well established in Center, and the family worked all night on Wednesdays and Saturdays to keep commodities flowing. In 1960, Ca?on Potato was the first company to install equipment for bulk floating and handling of potatoes. Mr. Tonso said that this was the first of many innovations the industry would see over the years and the first of many changes that would streamline the company's operations.
Mr. Tonso served with the U.S. Coast Guard during the Vietnam War, returning stateside in 1971. Technology would change the face of the landscape from that point forward. "Computers made a remarkable difference," he stated. "Growers had to change the way they handled potatoes."
The biggest change for the San Luis Valley, he went on to say, came with pivot irrigation. "Before, everything was done with row irrigation," he said. "Roots were sitting in water." Pivot irrigation enabled potato farmers to chemigate, thus increasing per-acre productivity. "Three hundred sacks used to be a good per-acre yield," he said. "Today, that's a failure."
Computerization has also increased equipment size and capability. "A circle can be handled in 2.5 days," Mr. Tonso said. "We can handle the crops more carefully and not bruise the potatoes. We've just become better and better farmers."
While serving as head of CPAC's advertising committee, Mr. Tonso was instrumental in laying the foundation for the "Always Buy Colorado" program. "Jim was trying to get back into Denver to get college business," his wife recalled. "He discovered [that] the potato specifications for purchase called for Idaho potatoes."
Mr. Tonso worked with former Colorado Gov. Richard Lamm to call attention to the variety of fresh potatoes grown in the Centennial State. "That was a good tool to help growers expand their markets," Mr. Tonso said. "We really got Colorado on the map for fresh shipments. That's quite a feature for this valley. We do fresh and do it well."
During this expansion period for fresh potatoes, Ms. Tonso was equally active. "Sandy was a huge help to the CPAC Women's Auxiliary and especially with the cookbooks that they produced," Ms. Weyers said. "She was the guiding force of that giant project."
Ms. Tonso said that the women's auxiliary took its mission seriously and visited regional markets to promote Colorado potatoes. "We did test samples at a variety of stores," she said. "We had farmers' wives who are also consumers discussing potatoes with other consumers."
On-site taste tests helped educate consumers and produce managers about the unique characteristics of different varieties of spuds produced in Colorado.
Mr. Tonso was asked what sage advice he has for people in the industry. "Do not lose your personal contact with your people," he responded. He went on to say that it is important to maintain daily contact, and that he misses talking with customers since his retirement. He also said, "I've been a stickler for integrity."
The people who have known the Tonsos for years remember them fondly. Mr. Glowczewski came to Ca?on Potato 13 years ago. "I've definitely spent a lot of time with the two of them," he said. "They were like family to me."
CPAC's Ms. Weyers sang Mr. Tonso's praises. "Jim has always been a gentleman and a pleasure to work with - always a kind word and a 'yes' answer when help was needed. He has had the [San Luis Valley] potato industry in mind when he helped our office numerous times by attending national meetings and marketing shows."
"These are two of the nicest people in the business," said Jere Metz of Farm Fresh Direct in Monte Vista, CO. "Both have put in countless hours and are dedicated to the industry. They were always a phone call away."
Despite the seriousness, there was always room for some friendly fun and rivalry. Years ago when Mr. Tonso was part of the team that managed the Wright Bros. gasohol plant in the valley, a sawdust pile accidentally caught fire due to spontaneous combustion. Mr. Metz said that he disguised his voice and called Mr. Tonso complaining about the smoke. "I just kept putting in small remarks and made him madder and madder," Mr. Metz laughed. "He took things in stride."
Not to be outdone, Mr. Tonso said he got in the last jab. Somehow, Mr. Metz's car ended up being parked in the middle of the highway with the keys locked inside.
Chuck Bird, sales manager for Martin Produce in Greeley, CO, has known the Tonsos for 32 years. "I remember Jim's tenacity doing the job," he told The Produce News. "He is a go-getter. Sandy is a sweet lady. She's on top of everything."
The Tonsos will be spending their winters in Rio Verde, AZ, at a golf development outside Scottsdale, AZ. Their interest is in the fun of the sport. "We try," Mr. Tonso snickered. "I'm not a person who can play golf seven days a week."
During the summers, they plan to return to Colorado for some quality time at their cabin near Cripple Creek, CO.
Despite the change of lifestyle, the couple cannot imagine slowing things down. "I'm not sure either one of us is ready to quit," said Mr. Tonso. His wife agreed, saying that they will no doubt become involved in volunteer work. In the meantime, the Tonsos have been enjoying the change of seasons in Colorado and are looking to spend some quality time with their children and family. And they are already planning a trip to Canyonlands in May.
Thomas R. Ford, a recent inductee to the Colorado Agriculture Hall of Fame and chairman of the Colorado Potato Administrative Committee in Monte Vista, CO, took time to speak with The Produce News from his tractor as this year's potato harvest began.
"They are well-respected people," he said of the Tonsos. "[Jim] has just been dedicated to the potato industry most of his life. He's a heck of a guy." "We will miss both of their kindness, laughter and help, but wish them only the best as they retire," CPAC Administrator Linda Weyers said.
The Tonsos, who met at Colorado State University and married during their senior year of college, were the driving force behind Ca?on Potato Co. Inc., a family-operated business based in Center, CO. Mr. Tonso served as general manager at Ca?on Potato at the time of his retirement and had a 37-year history with the company. Sandy Tonso was the company's accountant and served with Ca?on Potato for 31 years.
Both say they thrived -- personally and professionally -- in their chosen work environment. Their management styles complemented each other. "Jim, as a general manager, was good at trusting people to do their jobs," Ms. Tonso said of her husband.
"Sandy is a perfectionist when it came to the books," Mr. Tonso said of his wife.
Work stayed at the office to the greatest extent possible but came home when necessary. "We were good at keeping an eye on each other," Mr. Tonso said. "We just didn't take things personally."
Their retirement became official Aug. 31, but the Tonsos chose to stay on as the harvest ramped up to ensure a smooth transition. Mr. Tonso's brother, David, now fills the corporate shoes as general manager, and Matt Glowczewski handles the bulk of company sales. John Tonso heads company operations, and Tina Riley has taken over the office work.
Mr. Tonso's family roots sink deep into Colorado. His grandfather immigrated to the United States at the turn of the 20th century, and his father and uncle started Ca?on Vegetable Growers in Ca?on City, CO, in 1946.
"[My grandfather] grew everything you can imagine and serviced the coal camps. He was part of the food chain," Mr. Tonso laughed.
Ca?on Potato was formed in 1956, and the family officially moved to the San Luis Valley and settled in Center, CO, in 1958. By the time he was in the fourth grade, Mr. Tonso was riding high. "I drove all the cabbage in [on the tractor]," he said. "The thing I recollect was it was so interesting. It was just a very fun place to grow up. Growing up on a farm gives you a real perspective."
Trucking was well established in Center, and the family worked all night on Wednesdays and Saturdays to keep commodities flowing. In 1960, Ca?on Potato was the first company to install equipment for bulk floating and handling of potatoes. Mr. Tonso said that this was the first of many innovations the industry would see over the years and the first of many changes that would streamline the company's operations.
Mr. Tonso served with the U.S. Coast Guard during the Vietnam War, returning stateside in 1971. Technology would change the face of the landscape from that point forward. "Computers made a remarkable difference," he stated. "Growers had to change the way they handled potatoes."
The biggest change for the San Luis Valley, he went on to say, came with pivot irrigation. "Before, everything was done with row irrigation," he said. "Roots were sitting in water." Pivot irrigation enabled potato farmers to chemigate, thus increasing per-acre productivity. "Three hundred sacks used to be a good per-acre yield," he said. "Today, that's a failure."
Computerization has also increased equipment size and capability. "A circle can be handled in 2.5 days," Mr. Tonso said. "We can handle the crops more carefully and not bruise the potatoes. We've just become better and better farmers."
While serving as head of CPAC's advertising committee, Mr. Tonso was instrumental in laying the foundation for the "Always Buy Colorado" program. "Jim was trying to get back into Denver to get college business," his wife recalled. "He discovered [that] the potato specifications for purchase called for Idaho potatoes."
Mr. Tonso worked with former Colorado Gov. Richard Lamm to call attention to the variety of fresh potatoes grown in the Centennial State. "That was a good tool to help growers expand their markets," Mr. Tonso said. "We really got Colorado on the map for fresh shipments. That's quite a feature for this valley. We do fresh and do it well."
During this expansion period for fresh potatoes, Ms. Tonso was equally active. "Sandy was a huge help to the CPAC Women's Auxiliary and especially with the cookbooks that they produced," Ms. Weyers said. "She was the guiding force of that giant project."
Ms. Tonso said that the women's auxiliary took its mission seriously and visited regional markets to promote Colorado potatoes. "We did test samples at a variety of stores," she said. "We had farmers' wives who are also consumers discussing potatoes with other consumers."
On-site taste tests helped educate consumers and produce managers about the unique characteristics of different varieties of spuds produced in Colorado.
Mr. Tonso was asked what sage advice he has for people in the industry. "Do not lose your personal contact with your people," he responded. He went on to say that it is important to maintain daily contact, and that he misses talking with customers since his retirement. He also said, "I've been a stickler for integrity."
The people who have known the Tonsos for years remember them fondly. Mr. Glowczewski came to Ca?on Potato 13 years ago. "I've definitely spent a lot of time with the two of them," he said. "They were like family to me."
CPAC's Ms. Weyers sang Mr. Tonso's praises. "Jim has always been a gentleman and a pleasure to work with - always a kind word and a 'yes' answer when help was needed. He has had the [San Luis Valley] potato industry in mind when he helped our office numerous times by attending national meetings and marketing shows."
"These are two of the nicest people in the business," said Jere Metz of Farm Fresh Direct in Monte Vista, CO. "Both have put in countless hours and are dedicated to the industry. They were always a phone call away."
Despite the seriousness, there was always room for some friendly fun and rivalry. Years ago when Mr. Tonso was part of the team that managed the Wright Bros. gasohol plant in the valley, a sawdust pile accidentally caught fire due to spontaneous combustion. Mr. Metz said that he disguised his voice and called Mr. Tonso complaining about the smoke. "I just kept putting in small remarks and made him madder and madder," Mr. Metz laughed. "He took things in stride."
Not to be outdone, Mr. Tonso said he got in the last jab. Somehow, Mr. Metz's car ended up being parked in the middle of the highway with the keys locked inside.
Chuck Bird, sales manager for Martin Produce in Greeley, CO, has known the Tonsos for 32 years. "I remember Jim's tenacity doing the job," he told The Produce News. "He is a go-getter. Sandy is a sweet lady. She's on top of everything."
The Tonsos will be spending their winters in Rio Verde, AZ, at a golf development outside Scottsdale, AZ. Their interest is in the fun of the sport. "We try," Mr. Tonso snickered. "I'm not a person who can play golf seven days a week."
During the summers, they plan to return to Colorado for some quality time at their cabin near Cripple Creek, CO.
Despite the change of lifestyle, the couple cannot imagine slowing things down. "I'm not sure either one of us is ready to quit," said Mr. Tonso. His wife agreed, saying that they will no doubt become involved in volunteer work. In the meantime, the Tonsos have been enjoying the change of seasons in Colorado and are looking to spend some quality time with their children and family. And they are already planning a trip to Canyonlands in May.
