Oct 16, 2009News You Missed This Week
The Specialty Crop Block Grant Program announced this week that 55 grants totaling $49 million would fund 745 programs in all 50 states. The Spudman Web site has a list of the total funds each state will receive.
A group in Seattle is asking EPA to do more to protect children from pesticides. The group, called Earthjustice, is made up of farm workers, doctors and parents groups. Washington’s Lake Stevens Journal did a story on the petition
The New York Times did a story on Keuka Gold, a Cornell variety that grows better than Yukon Gold in New York. The NY Times article can be found here (registration required).
The United States Potato Board is still accepting applications for its Retail Outreach Presentation. The program offers value to retailers and the suppliers – a summary of the program can be found here. Shippers can nominate their retail partners by e-mailing Carroll Graham at USPB.
This month’s issue of USDA’s Agricultural Research Service publication Agricultural Research Magazine has an article on USDA’s research into Zebra Chip Disorder. The studies indicated potato psyllid is a key factor in the disease. Read the article here.
Finally, the Missoula, Mont., Missoulian reported last weekend that the cold temperatures in southeastern Idaho had destroyed part of the seed potato crop. Temperatures have already dipped as low as 17 degrees in the area.
