News Release

Potato Growers of Idaho Elect New Officers, Ratify New Role

BLACKFOOT, Idaho — PGI growers, meeting at the annual All Grower Meeting November 14, 2007, elected new officers and ratified the new role for the organization. Those elected to move the organization forward with it’s new and more specialized role are President Ray Tominaga, Blackfoot, Vice-President James Hoff of Idaho Falls, and Secretary Treasurer Willie Heward of Burley. Other members of the down-sized board are Paris Penfold, Driggs, representing seed growers, and Kamren Koompin from American Falls.

Growers previously approved transferring the majority of PGI’s functions to the Idaho Potato Commission, but voted at the annual meeting to keep the 45-year-old organization viable to perform functions that the Idaho Potato Commission cannot do as a quasi state agency. The principal function for PGI will be to manage the potato industry’s Political Action Committee, Potato PAC.

“Potato growers and all farmers need to be more proactive in making their political voice heard,” said PGI president, Ray Tominaga. “We’ve all seen the political power of organizations, such as Idaho Power, in influencing legislation. Never before has it been so important that growers support candidates that are friendly to agriculture,” added Tominaga.

PGI will also continue as a member of Grower’s National Co-op, which provides growers an alternative way to buy crop insurance. The organization will also be prepared to lobby for specific issues, participate in grant opportunities, and perform other functions as determined by the new board.