Aug 17, 2022EPA officials get first-hand look at potato production in San Luis Valley
The National Potato Council (NPC), in cooperation with the Colorado Potato Administrative Committee (CPAC), recently hosted a tour of potato production for staff of the EPA’s Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP) in Colorado’s San Luis Valley.
The purpose of the tour was to help participants gaining a better understanding of the pest challenges faced by potato growers across the nation in growing and delivering potatoes to market.
Participants from EPA were provided information on pest management related to growing seed and in the pre-plant, planting, in the field, and postharvest stages. Presenters included growers, extension educators and researchers from across the country on weeds, pathogens, nematodes and insects.
“It was a pleasure being able to interact with staff from EPA’s Office of Pesticide Programs and share with them the complexities of producing a high-quality, high-cost potato crop for U.S. consumers and consumers around the globe in an environmentally friendly manner in my community and on my family’s farm operation,” said Bob Mattive, a potato grower in the San Luis Valley and current NPC vice president of environmental affairs.
The annual event is hosted by the National Potato Council and sponsored by Potatoes USA.
Top: Bob Mattive, center, along with sons Grant, left, and Reid, right, demonstrate potato seed cutting and treatment used at his family farm, Worley Family Farms. Photo: NPC
