Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/1178654
36 POTATO GROWER | NOVEMBER 2019 THE BALL'S IN OUR COURT It seems like so much of our work in the potato community is playing defense: Defense against activists who really don't know what it takes to produce food. Defense with consumers who don't understand nutrition. Defense with politicians who are unaware of the reality of the small margins and the financial risk of farming. It seems like much of my time is focused on playing defense against really bad ideas and concepts. Any coach will tell you about the importance of defense. But I love playing offense. I love the three- pointer, the two-point conversion, going for it on fourth down, full count with the bases loaded, the header off the corner kick, and hitting it over the water instead of laying up. Every five years, the Washington State Potato Commission brings together farmers, processors, packing sheds, researchers, input suppliers and transportation companies, all into one location to discuss what the future might hold for the potato community in the coming years. This is a time for analysis, planning and strategy—it's a time to play offense! The Washington State Potato Commission will be hosting its Potato Summit at the Northern Quest Resort just outside Spokane, Wash., on Dec. 10 and 11. The intent of the summit is to identify up-and- coming trends that could have future impacts on our potato farms and businesses. The information gathered from this summit will help us prioritize our efforts and help our potato businesses get ahead of the curve rather than behind it. Following is a list of some of the trends and issues we'll be exploring at the Potato Summit: • Potential new water supplies and irrigation infrastructure • Climate and weather patterns • Taking crop imaging to the next level • The future of robotics in ag • Trends for international potato marketing • Pesticides • Labor • Soil health • Ag lending • Ag research • Demand for processed potato products • The future of fast food Each of these topics is poised to impact potato production in Washington State. It's important our growers, packing sheds and processors are aware of these upcoming changes. We need to prepare today for what is coming tomorrow. We'll also be looking at the legislative attitudes in Olympia and Washington, D.C., toward farming and how that may impact our farms and businesses. While Washington has many advantages like easy access to the Pacific Rim through our deepwater ports, the highest potato yields in the world, and the most consistent quality, we also have challenges. Washington has the highest farm labor costs in the country, a mostly urban population that struggles to understand how food is produced, and ESA challenges that prevent further expansion of our potato production. An issue that came up at a previous Potato Summit was the public's perception of agriculture. From these discussions, the potato community decided to make communications to the public a big priority for the Washington State Potato Commission. We needed to tell the ag story to the public or be at great risk of being regulated out of business. Our Emmy- award winning TV show, Washington Grown, was born from these discussions at that Potato Summit. Washington Grown is currently in production of its seventh season, effectively telling the story about food and farms. We're looking forward to hosting our potato communities in Spokane on Dec. 10 and 11. If you'd like more information about the Washington State Potato Summit, please don't hesitate to contact our office at (509) 765-8845. Washington State Potato Commission By Chris Voigt Executive Director The intent of the Washington State Potato Summit is to identify up-and- coming trends that could have future impacts on our potato farms and businesses. Washington State Potato Summit offers a chance for industry to go on the offensive