WASHINGTON, D.C. - The National Potato Council’s Washington Summit from Feb. 28 to March 3 provided an opportunity for potato growers to visit with representatives in Congress about industry policy priorities.
And there was plenty to talk about. NPC leaders said their main priorities include: :
- Supply chain challenges and inflation’s impact on the potato industry;
- Enhancing the U.S. potato industry through proactive trade policies;
- Encouraging the Senate to improve upon the Farm Workforce Modernization Act;
- Investing in the U.S. potato industry via the appropriations process; and,
- Protecting potatoes in USDA school meal programs.
NPC CEO Kam Quarles said the in-person event was productive.
“It was two years ago since we last gathered before the pandemic shut down the world, so our growers are excited to be back together in person for our annual Washington Summit,” Quarles said. “It’s quite a time to be here in DC, with the State of the Union Address and geopolitical events overshadowing everything, but we’re looking forward to communicating our proactive agenda with our elected representatives in Congress this week. Our growers are focused on advocating on issues like keeping potatoes in federal nutrition programs, promoting free and fair-trade agreements – including with Mexico – and addressing inflation and supply chain challenges that are impacting growers’ businesses and their rural communities.”
In NPC business, Jared Balcom of Pasco, Wash., was elected on Feb. 28 to serve as the National Potato Council’s 2022 president and to head the grower-led organization’s executive committee.
“As I take on the position of NPC president, I’m hopeful we can continue to use the momentum we’ve built to leave NPC in a stronger position than when any of us arrived here,” Balcom said in a news release. “Whether it’s in the areas of trade, nutritional regulations, environmental policies or labor rules, we’ve seen firsthand what we can do as an industry when we stand together. As the country — and the world — reopens, we are hoping to get back to the new normal by advocating for a proactive policy agenda that is fighting for a brighter tomorrow.”
Balcom is the owner of a fourth-generation potato growing and fresh packing company, Balcom and Moe, based in Pasco, Wash., according to the release. Previously, Balcom served as NPC’s first vice president and vice president of the Trade Affairs Committee. As president, Balcom will host the 2022 NPC Summer Meeting, June 16-17, in Nashville, Tenn., according to the release. The Executive Committee holds office for one calendar year.
NPC delegates also approved:
- RJ Andrus, Idaho Falls, Idaho - first vice president and vice president, Legislative Affairs
- Bob Mattive, Monte Vista, Colo. - vice president, Environmental Affairs
- Ted Tschirky, Pasco, Wash. - vice president, Trade Affairs
- Ben Sklarczyk, Johannesburg, Mich. - vice president, Finance
- Dean Gibson, Paul, Idaho - vice president, Grower Outreach and Industry Research
The 2021 President, Dominic LaJoie of Van Buren, Maine, will continue to serve on the executive committee as the immediate past president.
