News Release

USDA Partners with Potato Growers of Idaho to Provide Risk Management Education on Farm Sustainability and Succession

BLACKFOOT, Idaho — The USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) recently announced the awarding of almost $10,000 to the Potato Growers of Idaho (PGI) to provide risk management education to Idaho potato farmers on the topic of farm sustainability and succession.

Seminars and workshops will be held during upcoming events to provide producers with the major financial, management, and transition risks associated with succession.

“The next generation of farmers faces increasing challenges, and many of them are looking to other professions to make a living,” said PGI Executive Director Keith Esplin. “I believe it is critical that farmers start developing a succession plan early, especially if they hope to have their sons or daughters running their farms in the future.”

“Having a well-thought-out plan will eliminate many of the unnecessary headaches during the transition phase,” added Esplin.

The first workshop on this topic will take place during the All Grower Annual Meeting, Nov. 14, 2007, at the Ramada Inn in Pocatello, Idaho. A succession planner has been invited, and will provide first-hand training to help growers recognize the important elements that need to be addressed when putting together a successful plan. A second workshop will be offered in January of 2008 during the annual Potato Conference, which will also take place in Pocatello, Idaho on the campus of Idaho State University.

These workshops are being made possible through PGI’s partnership with the USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) Spokane Regional Office, which represents Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and Washington. USDA awarded over $1.3 million throughout the Pacific Northwest and Alaska in partnership agreements to help provide new ways for producers to manage agricultural risks, and for outreach and educational opportunities to women, limited-resource and other traditionally underserved farmers and ranchers.

PGI submitted their proposal for this partnership in April of 2007. USDA accepted proposals from public and private entities including colleges and universities; Federal, State, and local agencies; non-profit and for-profit organizations; and others. All partnership agreements were competitive and awarded based on merit.