02/09/07 Spud growers serve up issues and lunch

Farm and Ranch February 9, 2007 Members of the Washington potato industry once again brought the ag agenda, recognition and a healthy lunch to the state capital. Fourteen industry representatives gathered in Olympia recently to meet with their state Senators and House members to discuss issues and bills impacting potato farming and sales. Chris Voigt, Executive Director of the Washington State Potato Commission highlights some of the issues potato growers were addressing. Voigt: "We are anticipating several pesticides issues that are going to come up. We were advocating for additional funding for WSU ag research as well as some transportation issues. There is a proposal to put a $100 tax on each container that is shipped out or received by our ports and we are concerned about that one." The potato growers also had some fun on Potato Day when they served up about 16-hundred baked potatoes in the Capitol Rotunda. Voigt: "It is just a chance for us to not only showcase our product but we also hand out a lot of literature to everybody that attends, legislators, staffers, a lot of people come in. It is a fund event to host there at the Capitol." The potato industry also honored several lawmakers for their legislative efforts on behalf of agriculture during a dinner. Those honored this year came from both sides of the political isle and were Representatives Bill Grant from the 16th District and Dan Newhouse from the 15th District. Senators honored were Erik Poulson of King County and Senator Jim Honeyford, from Yakima. 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.