Potatoes WA 2025 Pt 2
From the Ag Information Network, I’m Bob Larson. Regulations on things like pesticides and insecticides are always a concern for Washington potato growers.
But, Washington State Potato Commission’s Director of Industry Outreach, Matthew Blua says regulatory proposals like the buffer bill can also impact production …
BLUA … “Particularly on the west side of the state in the Skagit area where we grow some of the most beautiful potatoes in the world. And this is a particularly important agricultural area of the United States. They grow so many seed crops there that they grow very little of in other places.”
And, Blua says those Skagit Valley red potatoes are something else …
BLUA … “Oh, the red potatoes in the Skagit area are the most beautiful potatoes in the world. I can tell where the potatoes come from in a grocery store from 50 yards away.”
But through all the challenges potato growers face, Blua says they manage …
BLUA … “You know, my growers are incredibly positive even though their margins are always tight, and they always have some new problem that crops up every year. They’re an amazingly positive and resilient group. And they really have a way of passing it on to me, and I really appreciate that.”
Bottom line, Blua says it ain’t easy …
BLUA … “Growing a crop for a living is the most difficult thing you can imagine doing. It’s so unpredictable, but they all seem to do it and they do it well, and they enjoy it. But it is challenging.”
That’s Matthew Blua, Director of Industry Outreach at the Washington State Potato Commission.
