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The situation
Idaho farmers grow and supply about 30 percent of the annual U.S.
potato production. Producers must stay current on the latest production
practices and marketing strategies to remain competitive in the
potato market.
Our Response
There are numerous ways the University of Idaho supplies Idaho potato
producers with information, such as Extension bulletins, mass media
articles and field days. However, the most popular and most widely
attended event disseminating information is the annual Idaho Potato
Conference. The University
of Idaho College of Agriculture and Cooperative Extension System,
in cooperation with several other organizations listed below, have
conducted this conference for 28 years. The last 16 conferences have been
held only in Pocatello in January. Prior to 1981, the conference was
held at three or four locations throughout the state.
Seminars and
workshops are used to present information to potato producers and
other industry personnel about all aspects of potato production,
storage, and marketing. Information is presented to many people
at one time in the seminars usually using slide presentations, while
the workshops allow for more one-on-one interact with the audience.
These workshops have become a very popular way for producers to
discuss their specific concerns.
Achievements
The average attendance at the Idaho Potato Conference during 1994 through
2006 has ranged from 1100 to 1500, which includes trade fair exhibitors
and speakers. Surveys from people
attending the workshops determine if the information presented
was useful to them and if they would make changes to their potato
production operation because of information received at the workshop.
Cooperators
and Co-sponsors
The school is sponsored by the University of Idaho in cooperation
with:
The Idaho Potato
Commission
Idaho Grower-Shippers Association
Potato Growers of Idaho
Idaho State University
Association of Raw Products Committee of Idaho
Commerce and Industry
Trade fair exhibitors
Spectra Productions, Inc.
Nora Olsen,
Bryan Hopkins, Phil Nolte
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