Idaho Potato Conference aims to boost leader attendance

Organizers of the 48th Annual Idaho Potato Conference, which will be hosted Jan. 20-21, anticipate far fewer empty seats in the Pond Student Union auditorium when industry leaders speak at their upcoming event. Top spud officials come to the Idaho State University campus from Washington, D.C., Denver and Eagle, Idaho, for the opportunity to update growers, shippers and others involved in potato production about their organizations’ efforts. Too often during past conferences, however, they’ve delivered their comments to sparse crowds, said UI Extension weed scientist Pam Hutchinson, who is co-chairing the event. New during the upcoming conference, Hutchinson explained leaders from the National Potato Council, the U.S. Potato Board and the Idaho Potato Commission will present during a special featured speaker’d time slot, from 9 a.m. until noon on Jan. 20, with a half hour break. Hutchinson said the speakers have thus far spoken during the 8 a.m. time slot, when many attendees were still arriving. During previous years, she said, other presentations have been scheduled at the same time, some offering pesticide applicator re-certification credits, which aren’t available to those who attend updates by the organizations. More