News
Census of Agriculture website integrated to improve access
USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) has fully integrated the Census of Agriculture website into its primary website to provide a consistent look and feel across a single site, making navigation and access to census data easier an... more
USDA changes rules for some Irish potatoes grown in Idaho, Oregon
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has revised the varietal classifications for size requirements for U.S. No. 2 grade potatoes. The purpose of the revision, the agency said, is to distinguish between russet potatoes and all other Irish potato... more
Washington state secures funding for potato research, including on potato psyllid
The USDA, through their Specialty Crop Block Grants program, awarded over $600,000 to support three potato research projects to Washington state researchers. The awardees of these grants and their project are: Kiwamu Tanaka, of Washington State ... more
New fiscal year 2019 starts without farm or spending bills
The 2019 fiscal year for the federal government began on Monday, Oct. 1. It also was the date that the 2014 Farm Bill expired. Neither a new Farm Bill or the necessary discretionary spending bills for FY19 were in place on that date. "On the brig... more
Registration open for United Fresh Produce Executive Development Program
Registration is now open for the United Fresh Produce Executive Development Program, presented in partnership with the Cornell University Food Industry Management Program. Taking place March 24-29, 2019 at the Cornell University’s Statler Hotel &am... more
Wisconsin potato growers help with watershed enhancement project
The Wisconsin Potato and Vegetable Growers Association (WPVGA ) has joined the village of Plover and other partners in breaking ground to commence the first phase of the Little Plover River Watershed Enhancement Project (LPRWEP). The LPRWEP is a m... more
Crop has North Dakota growers optimistic
With a half dozen or so Red River Valley fresh shippers up and running, the Northern Plains Potato Growers Association said its early reports show a fine-looking crop of red and yellow potatoes in the Red River Valley. [caption id="attachment_11... more
Potatoes USA hires administrative operations assistant
Potatoes USA has hired Carla Rehfeld as administrative operations assistant for Potatoes USA’s administrative team. Rehfeld comes to the board with a background in providing administrative support, human resources, safety training and food audit... more
Volunteer potato management begins in the fall
Volunteer potatoes are potato plants that emerge from potato tubers that were left in the field in the previous growing season. Many potatoes are left in the field after harvest simply because they are not picked up by the harvester or they are too s... more
Farm Bill expires, House and Senate still divided
The current Farm Bill expired on Sunday, Sept. 30, as the conference committee was unable to work out key differences between the House and Senate versions for new legislation. Without further action by Congress, the National Potato Council (NPC) sai... more
