Potato Grower

30 Potato Grower | JANUARY 2015 says PVMI administrator Jeanne Debons. "But they weren't really equipped to do much more than that. The potato commissions said, 'We need a way to get the value of these things back.'" Each commission put in $150,000 and jointly worked on creating a feasibility study and a business plan, and the nonprofit PVMI was born. PVMI's mission is to maximize the agricultural and economic success of new varieties. "You can say it's to get the return from the new potato varieties both to the Pacific Northwest industry as well as back to the research program," says Debons, "but it's more than that. PVMI is a service for growers; it's not just royalty collections." Growers who raise PVMI varieties pay a royalty fee, which goes back into operating the breeding program. "PVMI isn't making money for profit to a single group of shareholders," says Debons. "It is generating funds to help keep the research and breeding program going. The idea is to charge a royalty rate that is reasonable and not prohibitive to the seed growers, yet allows a return to the program." When developing new varieties, the Tri-State Breeding Program selects lines that will do well under Pacific Northwest conditions. Good examples of the broader success of the program include Ranger Russet and Umatilla Russet, which are widely grown. However, PVMI doesn't focus marketing solely on the Pacific Northwest; the program doesn't discriminate as to where its varieties will likely be grown. PVMI varieties can be seen growing in fields from California to Prince Edward Island. While royalty rates are slightly higher outside the Tri-State area, the work the Tri-State program has put into selecting and developing its varieties has certainly aided in expanding its reach. PVMI works hard to keep royalties affordable, no matter where the seed is being grown and where they're being paid from—either inside the Tri- States, or outside the U.S. "The equivalent European variety marketing companies charge higher rates than PVMI does," says Debons. "They've approached me and Abbey Road revisited. The 2013 Tri-State Tour selection team at the "Tree Farm" near Bonanza, Ore. Peek inside. Brian Charlton considering a line at the 2013 Tri-State Tour. Inspection time. Mark Pavek and Brian Charlton look over selections at the Tri-State Tour in Klamath Falls, Ore. Getting selective. John Hoggan, Jeanne Debons and Solomon Yilma select a clone from the single hills during the 2013Tri-State Tour. CONSIDERABLE CULTIVAR COLLECTION

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