2008 potato conference greets visitors

Doors open for vendors, growers

MOSES LAKE - The Washington State Potato Conference and Trade Show opened officially Tuesday with a continental breakfast, spouses' tour, trade show and more.

"The staff and people who have put it together have done a very good job," said Potato Commission Chair and Pasco grower Cully Easterday.

Shortly after the trade show's opening, Vice Chair Paul Morris said he was unsure yet how this year's conference is going.

"Too early to tell, but it's going to be a good show," Morris said.

Approximately one hundred companies purchased booths for the trade show, which lasts through Thursday. The trade show opens at 10 a.m. and ends at 5 p.m. and is at the Grant County Fairgrounds Ardell Pavilion.

According to state potato commission Executive Director Chris Voigt, the conference serves as a showcase for funds invested by growers each year into potato research.

Montana seed-grower Jack Lake estimated he has attended the conference for more than 20 years.

"Usually, I come every year. Usually, I come to talk to the growers and learn from the conference and see all the equipment," Lake said.

He said the potato industry is always offering new things and growers need to keep up with them.

Soap Lake farm owners Mick Allen and sister Kathy Brougher attended the conference as well.

"We thought we'd come here and get all the education we can possibly get," Allen said.

Some visitors were not involved with farming but still found the conference enjoyable.

Moses Lake resident Charlotte Potter learned about the conference at a Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce business. She told her friend Cherri-Ann Bickler about the event and they both decided to go.

"We just thought we'd come out here and see what it was," Bickler said.

She added that the event has been a lot of fun.

Ag World Support Systems Supervisor Trena Norris said her company began attending the conference in 1998, a year after the company started.

Norris said she enjoys meeting people at the event and seeing farmers the company works with.

Wednesday's schedule of events includes a trade show until 5 p.m. and the potato foundation banquet from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., at the Big Bend Community College ATEC building Conference Center. The banquet includes food, comedy, and the annual Industry leadership Award presentation.

Pre-registration is required and can be done by calling Kellee Balcom at 509-528-4144.

Thursday events include a continental breakfast at 8 a.m., at the college's ATEC building East Gallery, and production sessions from 8:20 a.m. to noon and from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the college's ATEC Conference Center.

General admission for the Washington State Potato Conference and Trade Show is $5.