2010 Washington Oregon Potato Conference underway

Potato growers have the chance to come together to learn more about their trade, participate in potato-geared activities and network at the annual Washington-Oregon Potato Conference this week.

For the first time, the Washington State Potato Commission (WSPC) is partnering with the Oregon Potato Commission (OPC) for a Washington-Oregon conference. The WSPC has held a conference for 49 years.

“The combination of our two conferences into one event is just another example of how our two potato states cooperate,” stated Chris Voigt, WSPC executive director. “We have always worked together on common issues and have recently expanded our level of cooperation by partnering on fumigant research for the United States Environmental Protection Agency, assisting our Universities to keep critical Tri-State Breeding facilities open, entering joint potato commission projects and joint potato promotions in Asia and complementing each other’s work in Washington, D.C.”

“We believe the combined conference will allow our growers to participate in a much-improved program for the OPC over our past conferences,” stated Bill Brewer, OPC director. “We really see the combined effort as a very positive move for all the growers in the Pacific Northwest.”

The conference is open through Thursday January 28.