07/06/07 PGI to consolidate into IPC

Farmers who are members of the Potato Growers of Idaho are being asked to attend a meeting on July 16th for a vote on the future of that organization. PGI, the United Potato Growers and the Southern Idaho Potato Cooperative will all meet in Idaho Falls that same day. PGI's executive director Keith Esplin says those organizations collect dues from growers and now might be the time to consolidate his organization with the Idaho Potato Commission. ESPLIN "That doesn't necessarily mean that PGI will go away completely. We're also discussing plans for maintaining a small organization, no permanent full time staff or office but still have a small organization to collect money for the political action committee and to do a few of things the commissions aren't allowed to do. I think there's still a role for PGI." Some of the PGI functions would be taken over by the Potato Commission. ESPLIN "The commission has agreed to hire a client industry relations director to take this role and they will be speaking for all the industry and growers in the state on these issues so it really should strengthen the industry is what we're hoping." There have been major changes in the industry in recent years with the onset and success of the United effort and while Esplin and his staff may be out off jobs he supports the proposed changes. Today's Idaho Ag News Bill Scott