05/18/06 Preparing for a big event in August

The World Potato Congress is coming to Idaho in August. In fact, it's the first time that this event has been held in the US and Frank Muir of the Idaho Potato Commission says it was no accident that Boise was selected to host the weeklong event beginning August 21st. MUIR "We think when people come here it will definitely showcase the state, will showcase our potatoes and our growers." Mark Randal is with R&R Productions, the Illinois company that is responsible for the farm show that will be held in Wilder in conjunction with the WPC. He expects as many as one thousand industry professionals will descend on Boise for the WPC. RANDAL "It carries with it a lot of very elite researchers, policy makers, economic experts who really are the best of the best in the world of potato production from all over the world." The potato industry today doesn't lack for issues, be it overproduction, nematodes, tuberworms or consumer demand for spuds. MUIR "Consumers' perceptions towards potatoes is continuing to improve and we think a lot it has to do with the IPC's efforts to advertise utilizing Denise Austin and others efforts to turn the tide to more positive toward potatoes." Muir says the good news there is that they are starting to see some results from that ad campaign. Today's Idaho Ag News Bill Scott