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www.spudman.com Spudman Today 2014 Show Daily Stand up for potatoes on Capitol Hill By John Keeling ISSUE #2 TODAY at a glance Show hours Friday, Jan. 10 Tradeshow: 8 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Executive VP and CEO National Potato Council Today's Schedule T his February, potato growers and industry partners will gather in Washington, D. C., to focus on shaping a better business future for the potato industry. Will you be there? For those unfamiliar with the event, the Potato D.C. Fly-In is an annual NPC meeting where potato advocates come from across the country to educate policy makers on the issues that could impact their farms and operations for generations to come. At the meeting, which is open to all growers and allied industry partners interested in making a difference for the industry, attendees learn about how the laws and regulations being considered by Congress and the administration could affect their businesses. They also hear from Beltway insiders who have their fingers on the pulse of the current political environment. Speakers for the 2014 Fly-In include: • Bob Beckel, political consultant and co-host of Fox News' "The Five"; • Tucker Carlson, co-host of "Fox & Friends Weekend" and editor-in-chief of The Daily Caller; • Charlie Cook, editor and publisher of The Cook Political Report; and, • Cal Thomas, syndicated conservative columnist and Fox News contributor. At the end of the week, attendees take the industry's public policy messages to Capitol Hill for face-toface meetings with key members of Congress, their staff, and top regulatory officials. On tap this year are issues surrounding the farm bill, reforming the broken agriculture guest worker program, defending farms from burdensome environmental regulations and fighting for fair estate and capital gains tax laws. Growers and value chain members are also invaluable in NPC's ongoing efforts to promote the nutritional value of potatoes with Capitol Hill and federal regulator audiences. Unfortunately, many of the people who are charged with making national policy decisions on federal feeding programs are often ill-informed about the nutritional value of potatoes. Over the years, we've come to learn that growers of nutrient-rich potatoes are often the best people to educate those decision makers about the importance of potatoes in the American diet. Friday, January 10, 2014 [ [ 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Breakfast in Trade Show 9 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. GMO Potatoes Transforming Potato Production: What Role Will Innate Play? EXPO Stage, Exhibit Hall A GENERAL SESSION 9:45 a.m. to 11 a.m. Lila Cockrell Theatre Agriculture: What the World Needs Now More Than Ever John Keeling The bottom line is that growers are not only the frontline advocates for potatoes in their communities, they are the best promoters for the industry in Washington, D.C. Every day, NPC's staff works in and around Capitol Hill to advocate for its members; however, as a grassroots driven organization, the real strength of NPC comes from those in the potato industry who get involved. Members of Congress and their staff listen to the jobcreators in their districts. They understand that a healthy potato industry means prosperous family farms and stable income for workers. Even if you've never attended a Fly-In in the past or joined a farm lobbying day in your state capitol, we've got you covered. All Fly-In participants are guided by their state grower leaders or are paired with seasoned Fly-In attendees during their Hill visits to give you the support you need to make a real impact with your members of Congress. Stop by Booth #409 at the trade show or visit www. NationalPotatoCouncil.org to learn more about the 2014 Potato D.C. Fly-In, Feb. 24-27. There is strength in numbers, so everyone should consider joining the potato team at the Fly-In to help make a difference for our industry. I hope to see you in D.C. S Booth #409 www.nationalpotatocouncil.org Lowell Catlett, regents professor in agricultural economics and agricultural business and Extension economics and the dean of the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences at New Mexico State University. The Mars rover Curiosity has it and so does agriculture: Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS). Curiosity is using LIBS to look for life and agriculture is using LIBS to help build better lives by measuring carbon, nutrients and moisture in soils for increased yields and a better environment. Mobile apps with molecular and software camera lenses monitor everything from plant and animal health to insect infestations and do so with a precision and accuracy that allows agriculture to feed more than seven billion people better than at any time in history, all while fostering a parallel local food system that can be organic and certified to the source. Catlett will explore how agriculture is becoming the world's biggest industry due to its part in energy, healthcare, ecology and food. • • INSIDE Lowell Catlett: U.S. Ag's Golden Age, page 3 Spudman's Emerging Leader, page 8

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