Event celebrates Dr. Mathuresh Singh and Frederick Herber Hatfield
The 2025 Hall of Recognition Dinner and Gala at the New Brunswick Potato Museum in Florenceville-Bristol on Sept. 6 celebrated two potato ‘champions’ from the region.
This year, an agricultural biologist and a well-known Carleton County businessman were honoured.
Dr. Mathuresh Singh, who recently retired as Director of Agricultural Certification Services Inc., is a molecular biologist.
Dr. Singh was born in India in 1961. After receiving an extensive education, including a B.Sc. in Agriculture, a Master’s in Plant Pathology, and a Ph.D. in Plant Pathology with a Minor in Plant Breeding and Genetics, Singh moved to Fredericton in 1992, where he worked as a molecular biologist at the Fredericton Potato Research Centre. His work focused on improving diagnostics and characterizations of common potato diseases such as PVYN and PVA.
In June 1996, Dr. Singh joined Agricultural Certification Services, where he continued with his pursuit of improving diagnostic techniques for a variety of potato diseases. He also went on to study the epidemiology and management of PVY, leading to better management strategies within the industry.
Angela Gallagher, who introduced Singh at the gala, noted that his work has been “instrumental in improving disease control and increasing productivity” for producers not just within New Brunswick, but throughout North America, and that his “unwavering dedication to both scientific research and community leadership has left a lasting impact on the potato industry and the broader community in New Brunswick.”
Also honoured was the late Frederick Heber Hatfield.
He served as a lieutenant with the South West Borderers Regiment of the British Army from May 1944 until the Second World War ended. In August 1945, Hatfield returned home, where he worked for his family’s potato processing company, Hatfield Industries Ltd.
After his father died in 1952, Hatfield became President of the family business until the company was sold to Humpty-Dumpty Foods in 1968. At that time, he became the General Manager of Humpty-Dumpty Foods until his retirement in 1988.
Hatfield was dedicated to continuing his father’s work, which was to develop and expand the potato chip industry within Atlantic Canada and beyond. By growing this market, he helped to create a steady demand for New Brunswick potatoes, which were previously subject to unpredictable price fluctuations.
Hatfield became a founding member and eventually the President of the Canadian Potato Chip Association. He worked tirelessly to improve the industry by collaborating with agricultural scientists to develop new potato varieties and directly encouraging farmers to plant only elite seed, thereby enhancing the quality of the potatoes being grown.
Constantly innovating, Hatfield designed improved potato storage systems and potato chip packaging. When the original potato chip factory was destroyed by fire in 1981, Hatfield oversaw the design and construction of the facility, which is still in use today.
Wayne Reid, who introduced Hatfield as an inductee, told attendees that during his time in the Second World War, Hatfield promised that if he survived, he would return to Hartland and “work to build up the prosperity of the community.” He kept his promise, and “built a business that was based on the principal crop of the farming community of western New Brunswick and that would also provide stable, year-round manufacturing jobs within the same community.”
This year’s gala event featured a cocktail hour reception, a dinner provided by Smoyd’s Catering, and live musical entertainment from Jack McAfee.
Several dignitaries were in attendance to honour the inductees, including District of Carleton North’s Deputy Mayor Karen Hargrove, Tobique Mactaquac MP Richard Bragdon, and former New Brunswick Premier David Alward. Carleton-Victoria MLA Margaret Johnson was unable to attend, but sent her regrets as well as congratulations to the inductees and their families in attendance.
The recognition awards were created to acknowledge individuals or groups who have made a significant contribution to the potato industry in New Brunswick.
Farmers, individuals involved in farm organizations, business persons, agrologists and scientists who have made a contribution that improved the potato industry are all considered for induction to the Potato World Hall of Recognition.
Nominations are considered in the potato industry through local, provincial, national or international efforts in the fields of marketing, organization, production, breeding, research, policy, communications and education.
The nominations are considered from four different groups:
- Potatoes NB
- NB Seed Growers Association
- NB Potato Exporters Association
- NB Institute of Agrologists
- as well as from the general public.
Those nominated are judged in four areas based on information received on the application form by a committee of the board of Potato World. All nominations are held for five years, with the nominees being eligible for the award each of those five years.
Many from New Brunswick’s potato industry attended the Potato World Hall of Recognition Awards gala to honour this year’s inductees, Dr. Mathuresh Singh and Frederick Heber Hatfield.
Local musician Jack McAffee provided the entertainment during the 2025 Potato World Hall of Recognition Awards gala.
(with files from Theresa Blackburn)
