April 2009

• Idaho Water Situation At first glance, Idaho’s 2009 water supply appears to be sufficient to meet agricultural demands for the upcoming growing season, but appearances can be deceiving; especially in Idaho.
• Maine’s Young Farmer Randy Leavitt may be Maine’s Young Farmer of the Year, but he comes from family that?s been growing potatoes for more than 100 years. Randy is the fifth generation of Leavitts to farm in Presque Isle, and even at 30 he’s not new to the potato business.
• Metam Sodium Monitoring EPA’s Reregistration Eligibility Decision for metam sodium is due out in July, and the decision could have drastic repercussions for potato growers in the Pacific Northwest. Metam sodium, a broad spectrum fumigant used to control verticillium and some nematodes, converts to the gas methyl isothiocynate (MITC) when it is applied to soil through irrigation systems.
• Psychology of Buying