U.S. Potato Board Has a New Chairman

US Potato Board Has a New Chairman

I’m KayDee Gilkey with the U.S. Potato Update.

At their 40th Annual Meeting in March, Sid Staunton of Tulelake, Calif. was elected as the new Chairman of the United States Potato Board. He shares a message for potato producers.

Staunton: “We want to encourage growers out their in the field that your monies that are being collected are used wisely. We are moving the bar, we are changing consumer attitudes, we are seeing favorable export reports. Even in the uncertainty of currency markets, we are seeing a steady, continued growth of export sells which really is the key for the U.S. potato industry because 94 percent of the world’s population lives outside of the United States. So we are starting to really have a factor in those markets.”

So far, Staunton says one of the things he is enjoying the most about being Chairman is that all the board members are focusing on what is best for U.S. potatoes and not wearing each of their state’s hats.

Staunton: “Just seeing everybody sit down their hats and working to resolve major issues for the whole country. That is exciting because we are making the difference and people are working together to do the best for the industry and not sectoring it in to competitive regions. So that has really been the fun thing for me. Just to say, ‘Hey -- ordinary farmers working together to make it better’ -- that is the Potato Board.”

This was the U.S. Potato Update brought to you by the United States Potato Board, maximizing return on grower investment. I’m KayDee Gilkey on the Northwest Ag Information Network.