10/04/06 USDA telemedicine grants/spud poll

Washington Ag October 4, 2006 The USDA this week announced that three recipients in Washington State are receiving just over 432-thousand dollars in Distance Learning and Telemedicine grants. They include a nearly 112-thousand dollar telemedicine grant to Ferry County Public Hospital District #1 in Republic, which will benefit residents of Ferry, Stevens and Pend Oreille Counties. The Community Choice Physician Hospital Community Organization in Wenatchee is receiving a 244-thousand dollar telemedicine grant which will provide expansion of services into Grant and Okanogan Counties. Pacific Mountain Workforce Consortium, based out of Tumwater will receive a nearly 76-thousand dollar distance learning grant to provide more educational resources and opportunities to some of Washington State`s most rural and isolated schools. As part of its 50th anniversary long-range planning activity the Washington State Potato Commission has been conducting a random phone survey this week of growers and other industry representatives. Commission Executive Director Chris Voigt says if you get a call, the survey shouldn't take long. Voigt: "It should take just 10 to 15 minutes. Again it is not a telemarketing call. This is really to kind of help us better shape the Commission and make sure we are being responsive to the industry needs." Callers will identify themselves as working on behalf of the Commission. I'm Bob Hoff.