01/19/07 Olympia Potato Day next week

Farm and Ranch January 19, 2007 It's off to Olympia for Washington State Potato Commission members and industry representatives this Sunday through Tuesday of next week. Called Olympia Potato Day, industry representatives will visit with state Senators and House members educating them about issues of importance for potatoes. Water issues will be a prime subject as potato industry representatives make their rounds with lawmakers, particularly getting surface water to address the declining Odessa Aquifer. Potato growers will also learn about other legislation that could impact them. The House Select Committee on Environmental Health has already held a work session on pesticide drift. In the Senate legislation has been introduced that would impose a 100-dollar tax on every shipping container moving through a Washington port to fund improvements in freight corridors, but potatoes and potato products move by container. The potato industry will also honor several lawmakers for their legislative efforts on behalf of agriculture during a banquet in the Capitol. Those being honored this year come from both sides of the political isle and are Representative Bill Grant, Democrat from the 16th District; Representative Dan Newhouse, Republican from the 15th District. Senators being honored are Democrat Erik Poulson of King County and Senator Jim Honeyford, Republican from Yakima. Last but not least, baked potatoes will be served up in the Capitol Rotunda for lawmakers, staff and visitors. That's the Northwest Farm and Ranch Report. Brought to you in part by the Washington State Potato Commission. Nutrition today! Good health tomorrow! I'm Bob Hoff on the Northwest Ag Information Network.