07/27/06 WPC, less than a month away

Randy Hardy says the US Potato Board felt that an Idaho spud farmer should be their chairman and help host the delegates to the World Potato Congress. To his benefit he was elected to the job. HARDY "There's a real synergy that exists right now in the potato industry in helping to expand the consumption and usage of potatoes. A lot of what the potato board does now is in the export arena as we have programs currently operating I believe in 16 countries." Hardy is one of 25 Idahoans on the 123 member potato board which is a voice for growers to promote their product. Hardy and his son farm 22 hundred acres near Oakley but he'll be in Boise beginning August 20th for the WPC and on the 24th in Wilder at the Farm Show that follows. All of that mixes in with being chairman of the USPB. HARDY "It's kind of customary that the chairman host the summer meeting for the administrative committee." At Wilder a large tent will be set up for potato board demonstrations and discussions, plus a barbecue for those participating in the potato congress. Voice of Idaho Agriculture Bill Scott