Washington potato producers will vote from June 9–23, 2017, on whether to continue the federal marketing order regulating the handling of Irish potatoes grown in Washington.

Jay LaJoie of Van Buren, Maine and Jason Davenport of Arvin, California were appointed to the Potatoes USA Executive Committee on March 16, 2017 and will co-chair the Industry Outreach Committee.

The Potatoes USA international marketing committee met prior to the Annual Meeting in Denver March 15 & 16. The committee heard how U.S. potato exports have grown 183% in the past 20 years and now account for close to 20% of production.

The Potatoes USA Board Members for 2017 were sworn in during its Annual Meeting in Denver Colorado.

The 2017 Potato Industry Leadership Institute (PILI) provided training to 22 US potato growers and industry representatives in leadership development, public policy, marketing, team building and public communication.

Richards Pavelski and Donald Hamerski entered the Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association (WPVGA) Hall of Fame Hall. The WPVGA Hall of Fame honors lifetime achievement in the development of Wisconsin’s potato industry.

In the search for a third rotation crop for potatoes, trials at the Aroostook Research Farm in Presque Isle are showing some promise for field peas, a crop that once had a successful run in the region until the 1970s.

Following an online potato recipe contest ('Fully-Loaded Idaho Potato Cook-off'), Kenmore awarded Crystal Schlueter’s unique and easy-to-make recipe for Mashed-Up Kimchi Reuben Tater Bombs with Sweet Onion & Gochujang Aioli the grand prize.

Potato Expo 2017, held January 4-6 in the city of San Francisco, featured one of the highest number of attendees and exhibitors, the second annual Spud Nation Throwdown Chef Cook-Off, and optimism over the future of the potato industry.

At the National Potato Council’s (NPC) 2017 Annual Meeting January 6-7 in San Francisco, Dwayne Weyers of Aspen Produce, LLC, in Center, Colorado, was elected to serve as NPC’s 2017 President and to lead the council’s Executive Committee.

The National Potato Council (NPC) has added Kam Quarles as Senior Director of Public Policy.

Lindsey Dodgen is Potatoes USA’s newest team member, joining the team as the Assistant Marketing Manager supporting the Retail, Market Access, Seed, Reputation Management, and Industry Outreach Programs.

Elizabeth Avery was appointed President of SNAC International during the International Board of Directors meeting on September 29. She will begin as President on January 16, 2017 and take over the roll of CEO on July 1, 2017 from outgoing-CEO Tom Dempsey after the six-month transition period.

United Potato Growers of America announced today that its executive board has unanimously chosen Mark Klompien as the organization’s next president and chief executive officer, replacing Jerry Wright.

Un grupo de investigadores han descubierto a través de restos de almidones las pruebas botánicas que muestran cómo fue la evolución del cultivo de la patata en los Andes en la época precolombina, según un estudio publicado en el número de esta semana de la revista PNAS.

Northern Plains Potato Growers Association (NPPGA) has launched a new website, one entirely dedicated to promoting potatoes grown for the fresh market and branded as Red River Valley Potatoes. Fittingly, the new web address is RedRiverValleyPotatoes.com.

The Idaho Potato Commission recently appointed Ritchey Toevs of Toevs Farm as Chairman and Lynn Wilcox of Wilcox, Floyd & Sons as Vice Chairman.

United Potato Growers of America President/CEO, Jerry Wright, announced his coming retirement at the August 23 Board of Directors meeting in Salt Lake City, Utah.