News
New guidelines revise H-2A filings, AEWR rates
A final rule announced Oct. 2 by the Department of Homeland Security aims to streamline the filing process for certain temporary agricultural worker petitions, while another measure would revise Adverse Effect Wage Rates (AEWR) calculations. Conte... more
Cornell celebrating 160 years of potato breeding collaboration, success
Cornell University’s potato breeding program, celebrating 160 years, has developed more than 50 potato varieties, including the most widely grown chip-making variety in the country. Walter De Jong, a professor of plant breeding and genetics at C... more
UF new host for plant breeding accelerator program
The University of Florida (UF) is the new home for a plant breeding improvement program that could benefit potatoes among other crops. Breeding Insight (BI) is a USDA Agricultural Research Service-funded program that supports public breeding effor... more
Corteva: Split of crop protection, seed businesses will aid growers
A planned split of its crop protection and seed businesses will allow Corteva to focus more directly on farmers' needs, the company says. The separation into two independent companies will occur by the second half of 2026, according to a news rele... more
Agristo begins site preparations for North Dakota processing plant
Belgian potato producer Agristo has begun site preparation for its $450 million processing facility in Grand Forks, North Dakota. The company’s first U.S. plant, on a 360-acre plot, is expected to open in January 2028 and create up to 300 jobs. ... more
RFPs sought for research, Extension activities at land-grand institutions
USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) is calling for requests for proposals (RFPs) for fiscal year 2026 Capacity Programs, which support research and Extension activities at land-grant colleges and universities. The grants are... more
USDA announces disaster relief to 2 Southern states
Georgia will receive more than $531 million in congressionally mandated assistance through a block grant agreement to help producers recover from Hurricane Helene, while South Carolina will receive more than $38.3 million. USDA announced the grant... more
Potato LEAF seeking online auction items
The Potato Leadership, Education, and Advancement Foundation (Potato LEAF) is seeking items for its Potato Expo 2026 live auction. The 2025 auction raised more than $90,000 to support the organization’s leadership development efforts, according ... more
NPC CEO hopeful new trade model can propel potatoes into new markets
As he prepared to leave for two days of trade talks in Japan, National Potato Council CEO Kam Quarles expressed optimism that a new USDA trade approach could help finally pry open the Japanese market to U.S. fresh potatoes. Earlier this week, US... more
Potatoes USA welcomes 9 chefs to culinary event
Potatoes USA recently hosted a three-day ChefLab event, welcoming nine culinary professionals from restaurants and manufacturers across the country to its Spud Lab in Denver. The program, in partnership with the National Watermelon Promotion Board... more
