News Release

PGI to Meet with National Potato Council in Twin Falls

BLACKFOOT, ID — Potato Growers of Idaho (PGI) will be holding its annual summer meeting in Twin Falls on July 12 - 16. It will be held in conjunction with the National Potato Council (NPC) summer meeting. “The summer NPC meeting is normally hosted in the home state of the current president. This year NPC President Dan Moss, from Declo, is hosting the meeting,” said PGI President Doug Hanks. “This gives Idaho growers a great opportunity to meet with other grower leaders from across the U.S. We invite all growers to come and see a little more of what PGI and the NPC are all about.”

“Committee meetings will address important legislative, trade, environmental, farm bill, and other issues important to potato growers,” said PGI Executive Director Keith Esplin. “We encourage all growers to come and participate, as well as have a little fun. We particularly would like growers to come to the banquet and fundraising auction for the growers national political action committee, POPAC, Friday evening.”

President and CEO of McCain Foods Limited, Dale Morrison will speak at the lunch on Friday, along with Frank van Schaayk, CEO McCain Foods USA. Pat Takasugi, Director of the Idaho Department of Agriculture will speak at the Thursday morning breakfast and State Senator Brad Little will speak Friday morning.

Several important meetings for Idaho growers will be mixed in during the week. SIPCO growers will discuss some important bargaining issues Friday morning at 8:30 am. The Seed Potato Growers will meet at 10:00 am Friday and conduct a nomination for a representative to the US Potato Board, along with other important business. A brief meeting to nominate USPB representatives from the Magic Valley will be held at 5:00 pm Friday afternoon, prior to the evening activities. PGI’s Executive Committee will meet Thursday evening. A major topic of discussion will be the FSA’s Quality Loss/Disaster Program.

Several fun social activities have been planned. Thursday afternoon there will be a golf tournament at the Blue lakes Golf Club, rafting down the Snake River, and an evening in Jackpot, Nevada. Saturday past PGI President and current NPC President Dan Moss will host a Farm Tour. Stops will include a trout farm, cheese processing plant, McCain Foods and more. The evening will end with a barbeque at the Dan Moss home.

Anyone involved in, or affected by the potato industry is invited to attend. For registration information contact Martha Dance at the PGI Offices, 208-785-1110.