Jared Balcom, a fourth-generation potato grower from Pasco, Wash., is no stranger to the international stage. The Packer and the National Potato Council recently recognized Balcom, president of Balcom & Moe, as the 2026 Potato Person of the Year for his instrumental role in advocating for the industry.
He has served as the vice president of trade affairs for the National Potato Council as well as its former president.
Balcom helped advocate for the U.S. potato industry and played a role in helping open the Mexican market to U.S. fresh potatoes in 2022. He is also a part of the U.S. contingency pushing to gain access for U.S. fresh potatoes in Japan.
He was appointed in 2025 by then-U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack and then-U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai reappointed him to the Agricultural Policy Advisory Committee, where he provides counsel to federal officials on international trade policy.
Balcolm sat down with The Packer to talk about the importance of advocating for the U.S. potato industry.
The “Farmer First” Strategy for Global Trade
Balcom says being a fourth-generation grower helps put these trade issues in perspective, where he says he takes humility and honesty with him on these trade calls and missions.
“It doesn’t matter what country you’re from or whatever, as long as you’re real and honest and have normal dialogue with people, you can get a lot done,” he says.
Balcom, who first became active with the National Potato Council’s Potato LEAF Leadership Institute, says there wasn’t one moment that pointed him toward this national-level advocacy, but more a sense that it was important to share with decision-makers real farm experiences.
“I think that on the farm we get to see things firsthand,” he says. “We get to see those challenges, and we’re able to convey those in a reasonable, good manner to people at the national level to help us. We have that on-farm experience. I just felt that if I could do that, it would benefit everybody. And I really enjoy being a part of some of those conversations and being able to add to that.”
Being in high-level trade and market discussions might seem intimidating, but Balcom says he sees being in those rooms as a chance to create some opportunities and benefits for the entire potato industry.
“I think you just go in and you get a feel for what can benefit the industry long term and what would help us, and you just take that and carry that message forward,” he says. “What benefits my neighbor, what benefits growers in Idaho, that has a direct effect on what benefits us in Washington. Those state lines don’t mean a lot. If you can create a market for one state, that helps the other state too … You’re trying to help everybody, and knowing that little wins here and there might affect one person, but there’s going to be a side effect that is beneficial.”
Patience as a Policy Tool
Balcom says that while trade negotiations can be a slow, tedious process when he’s in the trade negotiations, patience is key. He says he remembers the goal and that even if there’s political or governmental interference, remaining focused and dedicated to the task at hand is imperative.
“I’ve learned as I’ve gotten older not to get as frustrated because you realize that it is a long, long, long process,” he says. “Some of these things are lifetime processes. Mexico is a prime example. We’ve been involved since I got out of college, and it took that long — 25 years — to get anywhere. So, you just have to do a lot of patience and just stay true, stay on the same topic the whole time and don’t waver.”
And for the growers back home who aren’t in the negotiations and who might see relief as being slow, Balcom says it’s important to remember the small wins. He also says for those growers who really are unhappy with the pace of change, there’s one easy solution
“If they’re really frustrated about it, I tell them get on a plane and get out there,” he says. “You can see it firsthand and see what it’s really like … I just always say that we’re trying to get small wins at a time for the big picture, and it’s going to take time. We have administrative changes. We have commerce men and women that change all the time. And so, you just have to keep hammering at it and go slow. And it’s just going to take that much time.”
Why Growers Hold the Expertise in D.C.
While some growers might not see themselves as fit to advocate for policy changes, Balcom says it’s important to remember that as a grower, you are an expert.
“I will tell you a little secret,” he says. “When you walk into a congressman’s room or a congresswoman’s room or a senator’s, you are smarter than they are. They want to pretend that they know it, but they don’t. Just go in there and you state your case in a very polite way.”
And yes, a grower might be nervous, but Balcom says speaking the truth goes a long way.
“Know what you know and say what you know and don’t make stuff up, and it’s amazing how far you’ll get with that,” he says. “And there’s nobody in here that can’t go do that.”
A Stronger, Unified Voice for the Future
As for the future of the potato industry in the U.S., Balcom says he’s seen a change in his 20-plus years on the national stage. He says the U.S. industry was much more divided in the past, but the industry has come together to work together.
“I think we have a stronger voice back now in D.C. and the political world, and I just hope that that continues to grow,” he says. “I think we’re more successful for a small group of potatoes. We’re probably punching way over our weight class right now, and I hope that just continues and continues.”
Balcom also says he wants to see the industry to continue to be successful and for the next generation of potato industry leadership to continue the legacy.
“I hope the next generation takes that on and continues to go down that path, and I think we’ll be very successful,” he says.
