Some "red hot" topics are on the agenda of the 2005 University of Idaho Potato Conference set January 19-20 at Pocatello, ID.
The nationally and internationally recognized conference will include a presentation by Patrick Moore, a founding member of GreenPeace who now promotes sustainabililty and consensus-building among competing concerns. (He is also on the agenda of the Washington and Oregon potato conferences.)
Moore's appearance will be very interesting in light of the fact many in the industry are very upset with the hard-line environmental position taken against many inputs used in today's modern farming.
Also scheduled to appear to discuss how to get the best possible raw-product prices for freshpacking, processing and dehydration will be representatives from McCain Foods, Potandon and Basic American Foods. Keith Esplin, executive director of the Potato Growers of Idaho, will join the panel to describe PGI's Best Management Practices checklist and opportunities for marketing into Mexico.
The agenda also includes a presentation by Albert Wada, Pingree, ID, grower/shipper on the formation of a super-cooperative, the United Fresh Potato Growers of North America.
A variety of other topics will also be presented by university specialists along with workshops on many phases of potato production.
Pre-registration will be taken up to January 7. Contact
http://extension.ag.uidaho.edu/district4/potato.html or call (208) 529-8376 in Idaho Falls, ID.