06/22/07 Potato groups get WSDA grants

Farm and Ranch June 22, 2007 Two potato organizations were among the recipients of 14 grants totaling more than $200,000 from the Washington State Department of Agriculture to promote Washington's food and agriculture industry with marketing and trade projects over the next year. Karen Bonaudi, assistant executive director of the Washington State Potato Commission, says the Skagit Red Potato Growers' Association in Burlington is receiving 15-thousand dollars. Bonaudi: "This about the 3rd year they have received support from this grant program. What it allows them to do is participate as a group in a booth at the Produce Marketing Association trade show, which is a trade show for fresh fruit and vegetables. They will be part of a pavilion for Washington products this coming year." The Washington State Potato Commission is getting 10-thousand dollars to conduct an analysis of fresh potato profitability and Canadian currency exchange for Washington fresh potatoes sold to the Canadian market. Bonaudi says that will help against charges Washington is dumping potatoes in Canada. Bonaudi: "We have actually prevailed in that the last time it was challenged but we are sensing that that is going to come up again. What we want to do is to have all the data we can to show that that is not the case and the currency exchange situation enters into that." 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.