Press
Release
Potato Growers of Idaho
(PGI)
P.O.
Box 949
Blackfoot, Idaho 83221
(208) 785-1110
Press Release
October 30, 2001
Contact: Keith
Esplin
Potato Growers Seek Grassroots
Involvement
BLACKFOOT – The “new” Potato Growers of Idaho (PGI) will be holding seven meetings across the potato growing region of the state over the next nine days, for all potato growers, to explain the mission of the restructured organization. Immediately prior to each PGI meeting there will be a local meeting of the National Potato Promotion Board (NPPB). Nominations for board delegates whose terms are up, as well as an update on NPPB activities will be given. The NPPB collects 2cents per cwt from growers for national and international research and programs designed to increase the volume of potatoes sold.
These meetings will also be an opportunity for growers to give input to promotion activities of the Idaho Potato Commission (IPC). Growers and first handlers pay a total of 10 cents per cwt. to the Idaho Potato Commission. These funds are used to pay for promoting and advertising of “Idaho Potatoes”. Some of the funds are used to prevent out of state shippers from falsely claiming they are selling “Idaho” potatoes. In addition some of the monies go to research projects to keep the Idaho industry at the peak of technology.
PGI’s main function is be “the voice of the Idaho grower”, decide policy, and provide the political and other representation that is needed for the grower community. These are functions that the NPPB and IPC are forbidden from doing by law. PGI employs lobbyists for grower interests in Boise and provides input for the National Potato Council (NPC), which looks after grower interests on a national basis. PGI also is a clearinghouse for marketing information and is ready to respond to current issues, such as last year when PGI successfully lobbied for a potato diversion program to eliminate some of the unusable surplus that held market prices to disastrously low levels.
PGI members currently pay 3 tenths of 1% of their gross sales to PGI. On $5.00 potatoes that would amount to 1.7 cents per cwt. There is also a total cap of $1920 per grower. In recent years the number of growers, including PGI members, has declined dramatically. It has become increasingly difficult to fund an organization such as PGI through a voluntary check-off. One proposal that will be discussed at the upcoming district meetings is to dramatically lower the total amount of dues collected from each grower. This would be done with the idea of attracting new membership. PGI is a “grass roots” organization that needs to have support from the majority of growers in order to survive. In addition to dollars PGI needs the voluntary leadership of growers from across the state that help set policy and run the affairs of the organization.
Currently underway is a congressionally mandated process of re-registering the uses of all farm chemicals. It is anticipated that many of the chemicals or their uses that are currently in place will be phased out. PGI is involved with identifying and supporting those products that Idaho growers most need to raise a quality product. Without a strong advocate for Idaho’s growers there may not be enough support to maintain many of the products necessary to produce quality “Idaho Potatoes”.
Understanding the role of the many organizations representing growers is confusing at times. When fully understood, each organization has its place. Without one the others would suffer and many important functions would not get done. It is for this reason that PGI is conducting the local meetings across the state. All growers and spouses are invited to come and learn about the industry and give their needed input. It is often said that, “There is a lot more to farming these days than just growing a quality crop and waiting for someone to buy it.” Getting involved in PGI and the other industry organizations are ways for growers to help shape their destiny.
Following are the times and places of the local grower meetings. Each meeting will start with a meal.
Blackfoot
- - Wednesday, October 31, at 12 noon, Melina's
Saint Anthony – Thursday, November 1, at 8 a.m., Atchley's Diner
Idaho Falls – Thursday, November 1, at 12 noon, Westcoast, (Yellowstone Rm)
Pocatello
--- November 1, at 6 p.m., Pocatello Airport
Burley -- November 8, at 8 a.m.,
Prices Cafe
Jerome -- November 8, at 12 noon, China Village
Boise -- November 8, at 7 p.m.,
Holiday Inn
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Press Release
Potato Management Company Press Release, March 12, 2001:
BLACKFOOT – The Potato Management Company (PMC)
announced today that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has agreed
to help Idaho potato growers circulate 16 million pounds of surplus potatoes to
needy people both in the U.S. and abroad.
The LDS Church has agreed to use its packing facilities near Idaho Falls to
receive, wash and sort potatoes donated by PMC members. The Church will also be
purchasing dehydrated potatoes that will be used in the Church's humanitarian
efforts worldwide. The dehydrated potato product will be sent to such countries
as El Salvador, recently devastated by earthquakes.
Idaho has a tremendous surplus of potatoes this year, which has driven prices
to 30-year lows. PMC is a cooperative of Idaho growers who are working together
to take a portion of their crop off the market this year in a united effort to
reduce the supply, and improve grower returns which will keep Idaho families on
the farm.
"This is a joint effort by potato growers from Idaho and the Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to place this burdensome supply of potatoes
in the hands of those whose lives would be extremely blessed by the receipt of
the mere essentials of life," said Joseph Wirthlin, Area Director of
Welfare Services for the Church.
Four and one half million pounds of the potatoes will be sorted, washed and
bulk packed for shipment to food banks, homeless shelters, and other
humanitarian uses throughout the United States. Church members will be donating
their time to wash and pack the potatoes. The Church will pay for all packing
materials and freight charges to the potatoes ultimate destination. Once
arriving at their destination, Church members on the receiving end will help in
the effort to place the potatoes in the hands of those organizations needing
food assistance. Initial use by the Church will be 110 semi loads (42,000
pounds per load) of fresh potatoes.
The remaining 12 million pounds will be processed at five of the major
dehydration facilities in eastern Idaho. The dehydrated potatoes will be stored
and used in humanitarian efforts worldwide during the upcoming year.
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PMC initiates donation drive |
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Potato Management Company Press Release, January 26, 2001: BLACKFOOT – The Potato Management Company will make charitable donations
of potatoes to the Idaho Food Bank and several other Eastern Idaho and Magic
Valley charitable organizations beginning Wednesday, January 31. |
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