Photos: National Potato Council's 2023 Washington Summit

WASHINGTON — On the first night of the National Potato Council's 2023 Washington Summit, U.S. potato growers and industry members mingled, held an annual meeting and celebrated key members with awards and honors.

Here are some of the moments:

RJ Andrus (left) succeeds Jared Balcom as NPC's president for 2023. "I hope that I can do it as well as the rest of the presidents have," Andrus said. "During Jared’s tenure, we made some great strides. And I’m grateful I can count on him and others this year."

Dan Lake (left) of Lake Seed Inc. in Ronan, Mont., and past NPC president Ben De Jonge of Manhattan, Mont., mingled at the reception Feb. 27.

Jared Balcom awards the NPC executive committee special pocket handkerchiefs as a humorous gift.

Lynn Wilcox (from left) and Julie Wilcox of Floyd Wilcox & Sons Inc. in Rexburg, Idaho, and Karlene Hardy and past president Randy Hardy of Hardy Farms Inc. in Oakley, Idaho, chatted before the annual meeting.

Matt Lantz received the Gold Potato Award from 2022 NPC President Jared Balcom.

Mrs. Potato Head sat besides the registration materials at the National Potato Council's Washington Summit.

Attendance was good at the 2023 NPC opening reception for the Washington Summit.