01/26/07 Othello potato grower honored by NPC

Farm and Ranch January 26, 2007 Othello, Washington potato farmer Lynn Olsen, Sr. was honored as the annual Potato Man for All Seasons by the National Potato Council at its annual meeting earlier this month. The award is equivalent to induction to the Hall of Fame. Sponsored by The Grower magazine, the award is given to an individual who has made a lifetime commitment to the U.S. potato industry. Washington State Potato Commission Executive Director Chris Voigt, who attended the meeting, said "It is fitting that Lynn was selected for this award. Not only is Lynn a go-to guy when we need advice or credible testimony, but he is one of the guys who prods the industrystate and nationalto keep active." A former WSPC chair and National Potato Council President, Olsen has traveled to Olympia and Washington, D.C. on numerous occasions to educate legislators and regulators on cultural practices of potato growers and how legislation and regulation impact farming. He has been instrumental in keeping crop protectants registered for use on potatoes. Eight delegates from the Washington State Potato Commission attended the NPC annual meeting in Southern California where growers from 19 potato producing states met to finalize legislative and regulatory priorities for the U.S. potato industry. Topics discussed included the new farm bill, immigration reform, market access and research. Also, Pasco grower Ed Schneider was re-elected to the NPC Executive Committee and will serve as Vice President and Chair of the Legislative Committee. 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. Farm and Ranch January 26, 2007 The Oregon Wheat Commission will hold the Annual Research Review January 30th at 10 a.m. in The Dalles at the Discovery Center. Research proposals will be presented by team leaders outlining the objectives and expectations of each research project requesting funding from the Oregon Wheat Commission. The following day, January 31st, the Wheat Commission will hold a regular meeting beginning at 8 a.m. at Cousins in The Dalles. One item on the agenda is the Oregon Wheat Industry Task Force. That's a proposal put forth by the Oregon Wheat Growers League to evaluate the current structure and funding of the League and Commission. Not that Wheat League President Mike Noonan doesn't think the League isn't already one of the best wheat organizations in the country. Noonan: "We are going to work together with the Commission to look at getting a bunch of active type, progressive wheat growers that are in the Wheat Growers League and Commissioners to look at what can we do to take us into the future to be just as good or better. So we are going to look at opportunities for us and sustainability to keep us going the next 50 years. And really something may not change at all. Everything is on the table. But I think a good solution or action, will come from getting together and looking for opportunities for Oregon wheat." The Wheat Commission's enabling legislation sunsets in 2009 and that would be an opportunity to make any changes the industry may want for the future. I'm Bob Hoff and that's the Northwest Farm and Ranch Report on the Northwest Ag Information Network.