Summaries of stories appearing in this issue.

January 2007

Washington Potato Conference to Host Two Keynotes

The ever-expanding Washington State Potato Conference& Trade Show will turn another corner in February 2007, when
it showcases two keynote speakers at the annual event in Moses Lake.

Ed Barlow will deliver the fi rst keynote, “Would You Know Opportunity If You Tripped Over It?” at 11 a.m. on Wednesday,
Feb. 7 at Big Bend Community College’s ATEC Conference Center.

President of Creating the Future, Inc., Barlow’s insight and experience have been incorporated into a variety of settings including keynotes, think tanks, seminars and strategic planning activities
averaging over 120 a year. He has undertaken economic development for then-Governor Dirk Kempthorne and facilitated a Rural Economic Development Summit for Idaho..

U.S. Potato Board to Offer Pre-Potato Conference Seminar for Fresh Shippers

The U.S. Potato Board and its partner, The Perishables Group, have developed a new training module for fresh shippers. It is
called, “Best in Class Training: How You Can Execute with Retailers.” In this full-day training session, shippers are instructed in the
benefi ts, structure and practice of the Best in Class retail model, as well as coached in introducing and implementing the program
with their current retail accounts.

Potato Conference Ladies Program to Feature (Guess What?) Potatoes, Potatoes, Potatoes

Wine expert Linda Moran will headline the ladies program, Potatoes, Potatoes, Potatoes, for the Washington State Potato Conference and Trade Show this coming February.

She will focus on the versatility of potatoes, wine selection and pairing potato dishes with wine and tea. The program will also include
a presentation on kitchen equipment and gadgets to make cooking potatoes easy, and information on the nutritional benefits of
potatoes.

Gearing Up to Meet Consumer Needs

A presentation on what one company is doing to bring value and innovation to its customers generated high interest at
the 2006 Potato Industry Outlook Summit. Jointly sponsored by the National Potato Council and the U.S. Potato Board, the meeting
was held Dec. 7 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Chicago.

Mark Willcox of Branston LTD, a leading supplier of fresh potatoes to retail giant Tesco in the United Kingdom, was the concluding presenter. Tesco is the dominant food chain in the U.K, accounting for 29.9 market share. The next closest competitors have a 14.9, 14 and 12.2 percent market share, respectively.

40th Annual Oregon Potato Conference

The 40th Annual Oregon Potato Conference will be held Jan. 25- 26 at the LaSells Stewart Center in Corvallis, Ore. The Klamath
District is hosting the annual event. Conference Committee chair is Ginny Blackman.

As a special treat for spouses and special guests of those attending this year’s conference, Diana Stastny has arranged for a wine tasting tour at the Willamette Valley Winery and antique hunting in Albany for those not interested in attending the Jan. 25 meeting. Meet at the Garden Hilton Inn, 2500 SW Western Boulevard, directly across the street from the OSO Conference Complex, at 10:45 a.m. The event winds up around 4 p.m. Cost is $10 per person, if registered by Jan. 10.


39th Annual Idaho Potato Conference

Potato Cyst Nematode Topics to Dominate the Presentations
Understanding and dealing with the potato cyst nematode will take center stage at the University of Idaho 39th Annual
Potato Conference and Ag Expo, Jan. 16- 18, at the Idaho State University campus in Pocatello, Idaho.

The potato conference itself begins on Wednesday, Jan. 16, at 8 a.m. and runs through noon on Thursday, Jan. 18.

Processors Facing Growing Customer Demands

The Washington State Potato Commission has been asked to get involved in the GAP coalition due to the fact that consumers are making increased demands on potato processors. Meeting Dec. 14 at the WSPC quarterly meeting in Moses Lake, WSPC
commissioners reviewed environmental and regulatory, trade and market access and research committee reports, all part of a
packed agenda that took up most of the day.

Ellie Charvet, Commission chair, conducted the meeting.

Processors now have to look at the U.S. Department of Agriculture GAP program and compare it to what their consumers demand, noted Executive Director Chris Voigt from an earlier meeting of the WSPC Environmental & Regulatory Committee. Once the holes in the program are identifi ed, the coalition can go back to USDA and work with them to help standardize the current program.

USDA-ARS Specialty Potato Workshop Well Attended

All types of colors and varieties of specialty potatoes were on display at the USDA-ARS Specialty Potato Field Day, held Nov. 17 at the WSU-IAREC in Prosser, Wash.

Guests in a fi lled room in the Viticulture Building were greeted by Ashok Alva, research leader, ARS, Prosser, and Bob Stevens, station director, and invited to evaluate a wide variety of specialty potato samples on display.

Program Presentations
The program also featured brief presentations by Dwayne Buxton, Chuck Brown, Roy Navarre, Mark Pavek, Jeff Bragg and
Jeanne Debons, followed by a lunch featuring creative potato dishes made by Erika Cenci, a well-known Yakima, Washington chef.