05/01/07 IPC will have a new look

The Idaho Potato Commission is going to have a new look later this year when four of its nine members step down. As planned IPC chairman Dick Watt will be replaced in August at the end of his second three year term and so will Rich Mita who represents processors and Ron Olson who represents shippers. All three are in their sixth year on the commission. The fourth, Wes Wootan, is leaving because of family health issues. IPC president Frank Muir says a dozen candidate names, three per vacancy, have been sent to Governor Butch Otter for appointment. MUIR "As you bring new commissioners on they bring new ideas and new ways to look at things. You know I'm certainly always interested in new ideas and fresh views on things and so we welcome changes." And that's not the only "new thing" for the Potato Commission. In an attempt to get new potato consumers Muir says they're looking to the Internet. MUIR "We're using some creativity to develop programs. We'll be announcing soon on how we will launch into space so to speak, into Internet space and reach those Generation X and Y folks." Speaking of the Internet why don't you check out www.aginfo.net. That's our website and you'll find this story and a lot more pertaining to Idaho and Northwest agriculture. Today's Idaho Ag News Bill Scott