03/09/07 WSPC attends NPC policy conference

Farm and Ranch March 9, 2007 Several members of the Washington State Potato Commission and staff were in Washington D.C. recently for the National Potato Council's Public Policy Conference. John Keeling, CEO of the NPC says it was a great meeting. Keeling: "We worked on three key issues. One is the budget and appropriations issues and the other two were the Farm Bill and immigration. So we went to the Hill to focus on those three issues. And I think out people heard some good messages back." Keeling says potato growers heard from Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns about the Farm Bill. Keeling: "The Secretary of Agriculture talked to our growers and was very, very positive about the need to have specialty crops at the table." Keeling says USDA has a different view on the fruit and vegetable planting restriction than potato growers do, but here is what they heard from House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson. Keeling: "His words to us were not on my watch will we do away with that provision. So strong support from the Chairman on that. You know it is going to be a difficult fight but we are feeling reasonably good that there is strong support on some areas of the Congress for maintaining those provisions." Potato Commission members who attended that NPC Policy Conference were chair Ellie Charvet, commissioners Jared Balcom, Randy Mullen, Dennis Richins, Ted Tschirky and Paul Morris. 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.