Jul 7, 2021House committee bill includes funds for potato research
On July 1, the House Appropriations Committee held a markup for the FY22 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bills. The total allocations include $26.55 billion, or 10% above FY21 funding levels.
Backed by the National Potato Council and its state partners, the bill includes $2.75 million in funding for NIFA potato research, which supports competitive potato breeding projects across the country. Also, as mentioned in last Friday’s Eye on D.C., the bill includes the SCRI matching waiver and language that prevents USDA from limiting potato access to the school breakfast program for the 2022-23 academic year.
PILI to hold alumni update course
This month, 53 alumni of the Potato Industry Leadership Institute — with representation from nearly every class and 10 states — will virtually come together to network, refresh skills and learn new techniques to better position themselves for success in the potato industry.
Now coordinated by the Potato Leadership, Education, and Advancement Foundation (Potato LEAF), the Leadership Institute brings together outstanding potato growers and industry representatives for eight days of training and professional development each year in February.
Unfortunately, due to ongoing logistical and health challenges surrounding COVID, the Potato LEAF board decided not to conduct an Institute class for 2021. However, applications for the 2022 program, scheduled to be held in California and Washington, D.C., will be available in August 2021.
For more information on Potato LEAF, visit pleaf.org.
— National Potato Council
