News Release

PGI 2008 Executive Director Report

Last year responsibilities among potato organizations in Idaho were reorganized. At that time some believed PGI would cease to exist. Although no longer operating with a full-time staff or office, PGI does continue several vital functions in the potato industry. Those functions include managing the Potato PAC, grower education, sponsoring Growers National Coop for crop insurance, and monitoring progress of the transition of responsibilities to the IPC. I would like to report on several of those functions.

Potato PAC Reorganized
This past year PGI was delighted to learn that the Idaho Grower Shipper Association (IGSA) was interested in joining PGI's efforts of raising money for political campaigns. Potato PAC was reorganized into the Idaho Potato Industry PAC, which is now jointly administered between PGI and IGSA. Over $15,000 was donated this year to Idaho candidates for the state legislature. Thousands more have been raised for our federal candidates or sent to the NPC to help with other national efforts. With IGSA's support we expect to be a much stronger voice in supporting candidates that are supportive of agriculture and the potato industry. I would like to thank all the growers and industry partners that contribute to the success of this PAC.

Grower Education
Last winter PGI sponsored a very successful program to educate growers in farm succession. Many growers attended our workshops, where they learned how to make plans to pass their farms on to the next generation. A grant from the Risk Management Agency was utilized in providing this education. Several good articles discussing farm succession are posted on the PGI website, thepgi.com. We also continue to work with NCAP and other organizations to help educate growers on organic potato production. Plans are currently being made to help growers learn more about new programs in the Farm Bill, particularly with FSA sponsored crop insurance and disaster programs. As a long-time member of the State Technical Committee of the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), which meets to advise the state office in running NRCS programs in Idaho, I will spend the rest of this article discussing some of the expected changes in NRCS programs.

Conservation Programs
The 2002 Farm Bill provided a lot more money for conservation programs. PGI worked every year to make sure funds from EQIP and other NRCS programs were available for potato growers to use. We also lobbied to make other programs, such as the Conservation Security Program (CSP), available to all growers, instead of the limited number of water sheds where it was introduced. PGI was successful in getting IPM Scouting and Biofumigation cost share programs implemented in Idaho. PGI, along with other groups was successful in getting a state CREP program introduced to take irrigated land out of production. Our efforts to change the CSP program and get funds to help expand organic potato production were also successful with changes made in the new Farm Bill.

NRCS Program Changes
CSTP The new farm bill replaces the old CSP program with a new Conservation Stewardship Program (CSTP). Like the old CSP program, the new program will also reward growers for good conservation practices on their farms; however it will be available for all producers. Roughly 12.7 million acres will be accepted nationally into the CSTP program with an average of $18.00 per acre budget to the cost of the program. Due to the cap of acres and funds, growers will need to apply promptly once the program enrollment is announced. Contracts under the old CSP program will be continued.
EQIP The largest NRCS program is the Environmental Quality Improvement Program. Last year $16.5 million dollars were allocated in Idaho, with more expected this coming year. Much of this money is used to conserve water by cost sharing in the conversion of surface irrigation to sprinkler irrigation. The maximum a grower can get under this program over a six-year period was lowered from $450,000 to $300,000. PGI continues to advocate for IPM, Cover Crops, and other programs under EQIP that can be used to broaden the impact of this program. You thoughts and input are welcome.
Organic Transition Under EQIP, growers wanting to transition to organic production will be allocated up to $20,000 per year for six years to help their transition. PGI will be involved with developing plans for how these funds can be used.
AWEP The new Agriculture Water Enhancement Program, also under EQIP, is designed to promote water conservation and water quality and replaces an old program.
Conservation Innovation Grants The CIG program continues to be available to help promote and demonstrate new technologies. Several CIG grants have been awarded in recent years that directly benefit the potato industry.
Space doesn't allow for details on all NRCS programs. Growers should watch for details of these and other programs as they are made available. Potato growers are good stewards of the land and should consider using tools available through the NRCS that will aid them in their conservation efforts.