02/22/08 Reviewing 2008 Washington Potato Conference

Farm and Ranch February 22, 2008 More than 15-hundred participants experienced the 47th Annual Washington State Potato Conference and Trade Show earlier this month in Moses Lake. Karen Bonaudi, Secretary-Treasurer of the Conference board of directors, says that attendance was down about 100 people from last year, similar to what other northwest potato conferences are seeing. Bonaudi: "What's been happening is that more and more events are taking place. Conferences, meetings, so there is a lot of active competition out there and that means we really have to stay on our toes with the Potato Conference and make sure that it is something that people value and that we are offering the exhibitors and the growers what they really come to a conference for." One conference feature that's proven successful is the keynote speaker, like this year's address from Jay Lehr. Bonaudi: "There were people that wanted to talk with him afterwards, as had been the case before with Ray Cesca for example, and so we really want to keep that part of the program, that keynote person and make him or her more accessible to the participants." Making the Spanish Program a day-long event was also a hit. Fifty-three people participated and received hands-on training and credits on pesticide handling from the Washington State Department of Agriculture. 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.