Feb 12, 2009Washington Grower to Lead NPC
Pasco, Washington potato grower Ed Schneider has been elected to lead the National Potato Council, according to the Washington State Potato Commission.
Schneider served on the WSPC from 1996 to 2005, serving on all its committees and as 2001-02 chairman. One of the major advancements he witnessed as a commissioner was WSPC’s growing involvement in government relations, both at the state and national levels.
In 2006 Schneider was elected to serve as on the NPC Executive Committee as vice president of legislative and government affairs, a position he held until the recent election. His term will run for one year.
Schneider is optimistic about the future of the NPC and sees the sustainability movement as a great opportunity.
We have a chance to be leaders in the area of sustainability,” he said, “to show buyers and consumers that we are good stewards of the land, that we provide safe nutritious food products, and we plan on producing these products for generations to come.”
He sees the NPC’s greatest challenge as the constant defense of the chemicals needed to raise potatoes.
“It is an issue we face year after year,” he said.
While president, Schneider is looking forward to working to get a chemical use and data collection project operational. The finalization of the NPC Sustainability Document is also a top priority for the coming year.
“The document will form the basis of a program which can be used by the entire supply chain to demonstrate that we are an industry that does the right things and that we plan on being in business for a long time,” he said.
In addition to his involvement in the NPC and WSPC, Schneider is a member of the Franklin County Farm Bureau and the Columbia Valley Grange. He also served six years on the U.S. Potato Board. “
