12/14/07 Washington potato grower/packer to head national cooperative

Farm and Ranch December 14, 2007 At the annual meeting of the United Potato Growers of America earlier this month, Allen Floyd of Othello was elected Chairman of the grower co-op for the coming year. The potato grower and partner of Harvest Fresh and HF Farms has served on the United Board of Directors as the Chair of United Potato Growers of Washington and Northeast Oregon for the last three years and as Vice Chairman of United of America for the last year. Created in November of 2004 under the Capper-Volstead Act, United Fresh Potato Growers of Idaho organized to control acreage, manage potato supply and raise the price farmers receive for their crop. Under the leadership of its first Chairman, Albert Wada of Idaho Falls, the movement quickly spread across the country, so that by March 2005 United Potato Growers of America was formed, and by December a national office established in Salt Lake City, Utah. As a current Commissioner and former Chair of the Washington State Potato Commission, Allen Floyd is well versed in national and international issues facing the potato industry. He sees his role as United of America's second standard bearer as one of keeping the momentum going. Floyd says "I want to keep moving forward and make Albert's dream of a brand new day for potato farmers come true." Part of that will include getting the new CEO, Lee Frankel, on board and overseeing development the United Potato Partners Program which offers growers savings on agriculture related purchases from participating corporations. Says Floyd, "I want to keep these exciting new programs going." 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.