US: Potato growers host farm tour for EPA staff

The National Potato Council (NPC) led a delegation of 12 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) staff on a tour of Minnesota potato fields. The annual field event gives EPA staff the opportunity to see potato production, discuss pesticide utilization, and interact with farmers outside the confines of Washington, D.C. Growers provide employees at EPA an in-depth look at their pesticide stewardship practices and the process of bringing potatoes from field to table. The 2016 tour was held August 16-18 in various locations surrounding Park Rapids, Minn. “The tour offers potato growers a chance for extended interaction with Agency decision-makers,” said Chuck Gunnerson, this year’s organizer and President of the Northern Plains Potato Growers Association. “It’s a unique opportunity for both growers and policymakers, one that NPC undertakes to enhance understanding on both sides.” More