01/17/07 Potato Foundation to honor Taggares

Washington Ag January 17, 2007 The Washington State Potato Foundation has named the winner of its 2007 Industry Leadership Award. The Foundation's Kellee Balcom tells us who is being honored at the Washington State Potato Foundation Industry Leadership Banquet February 7th. Balcom: "This year the late and great Pete Taggares has been selected. We are very excited to have an opportunity to honor such an agricultural pioneer. Whenever you ask who is someone in the industry who has had a significant impact, almost every person will say Pete Taggares." The February 7th banquet is at the ATEC Center at Big Bend Community College in Moses Lake beginning at six p.m. Janet Taggares will accept the award on behalf of her husband who passed away in 1999. Among Pete Taggares' accomplishments was the establishment of the potato processing industry in Washington. Also at the banquet a one-year scholarship will be dedicated in Taggares' name which will be awarded to one college bound youth during the 2007-2008 school year. Balcom says there are still tickets available for the Industry Leadership Banquet. Balcom: "Folks will have to come enjoy a great dinner, recognize a great leader and then also have the chance to have some fun as well." For more information contact Kellee Balcom at 509-528-4144. I'm Bob Hoff.