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2015 Issues for National Potato Council

Chuck Zimmerman

The outgoing President of the National Potato Council is Dan Lake, Ronan, Montana. I visited with him during Potato Expo to learn what the big issues were in 2015 for the organization. Dan says there were four main issues. One is pollinator health and he says farmers are using technology now that is designed to keep bee health in mind. …

Ag Groups, Audio, Farm Policy, Potato

Get Your #PotatoExpo Social Media On

Chuck Zimmerman

In just a couple hours Potato Expo 2016 will open the trade show doors which marks the official start of this year’s conference. We’ll have some food truck recipe competition and a beginning seminar on the topic of soil health management. I want to thank Nufarm for sponsoring my coverage of this show and will find out what’s new with …

Ag Groups, Agribusiness, Nufarm, Potato

Potato Expo 2016 Debuts a Spud Nation Throwdown

Chuck Zimmerman

It is potato time in Las Vegas. I’m off to my first Potato Expo courtesy of Nufarm. The potato industry is gathering for the biggest event of the year: Potato Expo 2016. Join world class experts in potato production, research and marketing to discover new ideas and share business solutions with growers from across the globe. Catch the excitement in …

Ag Groups, Potato

Potato Expo Hosts First Food Truck Chef Competition

Kelly Marshall

The largest conference and trade show for the potato industry will be hosting a food truck chef competition a their 2016 Potato Expo.  The Spud Nation Throwdown will be held January 12.  Three food truck chefs have been selected from a national competition to bring their most creative and flavorful potato dishes.  Judges will chose one “Top Spud” and award a prize …

Events, Potato

Ding Wins National Potato Council Scholarship

Kelly Marshall

The National Potato Council (NPC) is pleased to announce the winner of the 2015-15  $10,000 academic scholarship. Shunping Ding, a PhD. student in Plant Pathology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, is a graduate student who earned the award for her interest in research benefiting the potato industry. Ding is an enthusiastic researcher and dedicated student, who has proven to be a leader both …

Ag Groups, Education, Potato, Research

Speedy Spud Competition

Chuck Zimmerman

Potato Lovers Club bloggers are participating in the second Speedy Spud Challenge. This recipe competition has seven competitors. I picked the photo of this entry because it is one of the entries that contains bacon! The competition is being held by the United States Potato Board. Bloggers were asked to create an original, yum-worthy potato recipe that can be made …

Ag Groups, Food, Potato

Famous Idaho Potato Tour on the Road

Chuck Zimmerman

The Big Idaho Potato on wheels and Tater Team is back on the road. Track it’s progress here. This is its fourth cross-country tour with a new mission to help local charities across the U.S. In a five-month period, the truck will visit 60 cities, travel 22,087 miles and help dozens of charities better serve their communities. “The Truck has …

Ag Groups, Potato

Potato Board Elects New Leadership

Jamie Johansen

The United States Potato Board (USPB) grower membership elected new leadership during its Annual Meeting held in Colorado Springs, CO, March 10-12. The following sections list the leadership for the coming year. CHAIRMAN Carl Hoverson (Larimore, ND) DOMESTIC MARKETING Co-Chairmen Chris Wada (Idaho Falls, ID) John Halverson (Arbyrd, MO) Committee Members Marilyn Dolan-Public Member (Watsonville, CA) Molly Connors (Pasco, WA) …

Ag Groups, Potato

Potato Growers Select 2015 NPC Leadership

Jamie Johansen

At the National Potato Council’s (NPC) 2015 Annual Meeting, held January 9-10, 2015, in Orlando, Florida, Dan Lake from Lake Seed, Inc. of Ronan, Mont., was elected to serve as NPC’s president for 2015 and to lead the council’s Executive Committee. NPC delegates also approved Jim Tiede from American Falls, Idaho, as First Vice President and Vice President of the …

Ag Groups, Potato

Air Force Plays Western Michigan for All the Spuds

John Davis

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, as the college football bowl season kicks off this weekend. In what should be a great matchup, the men in blue from the Air Force Academy (9-3) take on Western Michigan (8-4) on Saturday, December 20th in the Famous Idaho® Potato Bowl in Boise, Idaho, highlighting America’s potato growers nationwide on ESPN. …

Agribusiness, Potato