National Potato Council Brings Industry Priorities to Capitol Hill

3.2.25

This week, the nation's potato producers gathered in Washington, D.C., for the National Potato Council's Washington Summit. The event serves as a crucial opportunity for industry leaders to advocate for policies that impact potato growers nationwide.

National Potato Council President Ted Tschirky of Pasco, Washington, emphasized the importance of producers actively engaging with lawmakers.

"It’s important to get our voices heard because we have to be able to tell our story. Sometimes, we don’t talk enough about how things are affecting us," said Tschirky.

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Dean Gibson, Vice President of Legislative Affairs for the National Potato Council from Paul, Idaho, highlighted the pressing need for a new Farm Bill.

"We’re looking forward to a Farm Bill. It’s been too long since we’ve had one, and there’s a lot of uncertainty. We’re heading to the USDA to discuss trade priorities, ensuring we maintain gains with Mexico and Japan. Maintaining funding for key programs like MAP and TASC grants is crucial," Gibson explained.

Trade issues remain a top priority, with industry leaders carefully navigating the evolving landscape.

Matt Lantz, Senior Vice President of Global Access at Bryant Christie Inc., noted the ongoing shifts in trade policies.

"It’s a new world on trade, with tariffs playing a key role. There are both opportunities and challenges, so we’re all closely watching what policies are actually implemented," said Lantz.

Another major topic of discussion was the threat posed by potato wart, a soil-borne fungus found in Prince Edward Island, Canada. If introduced to U.S. farms, it could devastate crops and disrupt export markets.

"We had a productive meeting at the White House, stressing how devastating this disease could be to U.S. agriculture. It seems to be on their radar, and we hope to see action taken," said Gibson.

The annual National Potato Council event brought together producers from across the country, all united in advocating for the future of their family farms. Their efforts on Capitol Hill play a vital role in shaping policies that impact the industry and ensuring a strong future for U.S. potato production.