02/01/08 Washington Potato Conference next week

Potato Conference; Potato Foundation Banquet next week. This is the Northwest Farm and Ranch Report. I'm Bob Hoff. Today's report next. Farm and Ranch February 1, 2008 The 2008 Washington State Potato Conference and Trade Show is next week running February 5th through the 7th in Moses Lake. Tuesday there is and all-day Spanish language program at the ATEC building at Big Bend Community College where the state Department of Agriculture is presenting its Farmworker Education Program. Wednesday and Thursday are production seminars at the ATEC building with a keynote address Wednesday from Jay Lehr, a scientist, advisor, author and motivational speaker whose topic is the future of sustainable agriculture. Of course there is the trade show at the Grant County Fairgrounds with the Potato Bar Wednesday. On Wednesday February 6th from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m is the Washington State Potato Foundation Leadership Banquet at the ATEC building. The foundation's Kelle Balcom says Otto Geisert is the winner of the 2008 Industry Leadership award, which will be presented at the banquet. Balcom: Otto is a great guy for everybody in the potato industry. Everybody knows Otto. He has actually worked in the potato industry for over 40 years. He is retired now but he has done everything from serve a stint on the commission for about 10 years. He has also run a local shed. He was responsible for helping to get refrigerated trucking into this region. Basically, any local business in the Tri-Cities knows about Otto." The foundation will dedicate a one year 15-hundred dollar scholarship in Otto Geisert's name. That's the Northwest Farm and Ranch Report. Brought to you in part by the Washington State Potato Commission. Nutrition today! Good health tomorrow! I'm Bob Hoff on the Northwest Ag Information Network.