06/14/05 TAA free half-day workshops this month

To be eligible for monetary and training assistance under the Trade Adjustment Assistance program, Idaho`s freshmarket potato growers must register at their local Farm Service Agency office by June 27. They also have to attend free, half-day technical assistance workshops. The workshops will cover integrated pest management, production management and farm financial management. The first seven of these University of Idaho extension workshops have been scheduled for the afternoon of June 27 in Nampa, the morning of June 28 in Twin Falls, and the afternoon of June 28 in Burley. On the 29th the morning-afternoon sessions will be held in Pocatello and Blackfoot. On June 30th Idaho Falls and Rexburg get the sessions. U of I's Paul Patterson says the workshops are free. PATTERSON "But it certainly makes it easier for us to make sure we have enough chairs set up and enough materials available at those different locations if growers will just in fact call to pre-register." The USDA`s Foreign Agricultural Service said earlier this spring that 2003 Idaho potato prices were negatively impacted by Canadian French fry imports. This declaration made producers eligible for a cash benefit up to $10,000 for all potatoes not sold for frozen fries or seed. Today's Idaho Ag News Bill Scott