Feb 3, 2020Washington-Oregon Potato Conference draws record attendance
The Washington-Oregon Potato Conference drew a record number of attendees.
According to the Washington State Potato Commission, 2,178 people attended the event, which took place Jan. 21-23 in Kennewick, Washington. That included people from 34 U.S. states and six countries. In addition, there were more than 200 exhibitors.
The annual Washington-Oregon Potato Conference features workshops, educational sessions and social networking opportunities. Next year’s event is set for Jan. 26-29, 2021. Visit potatoes.com/potatoconference for more information.
(Top photo: Washington State Potato Commissioners participate in a potato bar during the 2020 WA-OR Potato Conference in Kennewick. Photo: Spudman)
Olympia Potato Day
The week of Jan. 27-31, potato farmers gathered in Olympia, Washington, to meet with state legislators, staff members and agency personnel. Family potato farm perspectives were shared, communicating various challenges, and expressing the need to fund soil health research. The Washington State Soil Health Initiative provides a win-win opportunity for potato growers, the environment, and local communities. Growers also shared their concerns with low carbon fuel standards and removal of the four lower snake river dams. Establishing low carbon fuel standards and ensuing taxes would, directly and indirectly, impact potato production in Washington, making it difficult to compete in the low-margin domestic and global marketplace. Potato processing is energy-intensive and trade-exposed.
The U.S. would lose over $2.3 billion by breaching lower Snake River dams over the next 30 years, lead to significant carbon emissions that contribute to climate change, and jeopardize health, safety and livelihoods in already economically fragile local and regional economies, according to an independent evaluation commissioned by the Pacific Northwest Waterways Association. Significant additional impacts would occur due to the loss of hydropower and irrigation and was not captured in this report. Potato production has a major economic impact in our state, contributing not only $7.4 billion to the economy but also providing 36,000 jobs. Potato farmers were proud to serve over 1,700 baked potatoes allowing our growers to connect with people from each of Washington’s 49 legislative districts. Olympia Potato Day continues to be one of the most popular days during each year’s legislative session.
Soil health discussions
With funding from the Washington State Soil Health Initiative, WSU is offering three work sessions to create a conversation on soil health between producers, science, industry, conservation and policy. There will not be formal presentation at these events, but discussions will be guided by Maren Friesen, Haiying Tao and Carol McFarland from the WSU Farmers Network. The aim is to increase knowledge, build partnerships, and develop innovative practices that support soil health in the region. Funding by the Washington State Soil Health Initiative makes these sessions free to attend. Lunch is included.
Workshop dates are 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Feb. 7 and 21 at the Courtyard Marriott in Pullman, Washington; and 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. March 13 at the Red Lion in Pasco, Washington.
Apply at least one week prior to your desired session date(s). Complete the short application found here and get details on each of the three sessions on the WSU Farmers Network web site. For questions contact Carol McFarland at [email protected].
Agriculture Safety Days
Registration is now open for the 16th Annual Agriculture Safety Day in Kennewick and Wenatchee. This year there is the additional option for WISHA 10 Pre-Conference Training course and there is additional equipment safety training and demonstrations.
The event will be held twice this winter, Feb. 5 at Three Rivers Convention Center in Kennewick and Feb. 26 at the Wenatchee Convention Center. Find schedule information and registration here.
— Washington State Potato Commission
