SALEM, Ore. — Gov. Kate Brown talked with farmers outside the Oregon State Capitol Monday, stressing the importance of potato crops for Oregon.
She also addressed low snowpack levels, something that worries potato farmers.
“It’s really important that Oregon agriculture has the water that it needs in order to be successful. Obviously we’ve got a number of things in the hopper that we’re working on, but I think it’s important that our urban folk support our rural folk, and that we all come together to make sure Oregon can thrive,” Brown said.
Farmers also shared concerns about issues surrounding the Port of Portland. One farmer said his profits were down about 25 percent this year because of delays in shipping out of the port.
“There’s a lot of chip potatoes and french fry potatoes that haven’t made it out of the port, and you can’t make that up. In China some of the Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurants ran out of french fries. That’s business you can’t get back,” said potato farmer Jeff Urback, president of Amstad Produce, LLC.
A rally was held on the Capitol steps to celebrate the potato and thank farmers for their hard work. Farmers also donated thousands of pounds of potatoes and onions to help feed hungry families in Oregon.
Source: NBC-KGW Portland