Michigan’s potato industry is evaluating what future research efforts are necessary to support a thriving sector, as Nicole Heslip reports for Brownfield.
Dr. Kelly Turner with the Michigan Potato Industry Commission tells Brownfield stakeholders recently met for the Rooted In Progress Summit to realign priorities.
“What do we need to be in five years? What do we need to be in 10 years to be successful so that the next two, three, four generations of folks coming into the potato industry can be successful?” she says they’re asking.
Michigan State University’s only full-time faculty member focused on potato research, Dave Douches, retires this year. Turner says there needs to be succession plans in place between industries who rely on researchers and universities during major personnel shifts.
Growers have identified five research focus areas important to their viability including diversifying the industry beyond the chipping potatoes, protecting and growing the seed sector, sustainability, best irrigation practices, and potato physiology.
Source: Brownfield. Full story and an audio clip here
Image: Credit Christos Giakkas from Pixabay
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