Tater plates

KENNEWICK — The Washington State Potato Commission wants state residents who grow potatoes — or simply like to eat them — to be able to celebrate that with a state potato license plate.

“Most people are familiar with the apple license plate,” said Adam Weber, a potato farmer near Quincy and a member of the commission’s board of directors. “Basically, what we're trying to do is design a potato-themed license plate that potato lovers can put on their vehicle.”

Weber stood in the commission’s booth at the Washington-Oregon Potato Conference in Kennewick on Thursday soliciting signatures. He said the commission needs to gather 3,500 and present them to the legislature prior to the cut-off for new bills in mid-February so a law can be introduced and passed in this legislative session allowing for the new license plate.

The hope is to have potato license plates Washington residents can put on their cars in 2024, Weber added.

The Washington State Department of Licensing has a number of specialized license plates available for vehicle owners in the state, including all the state’s major colleges and universities, professional sports teams, as well as the state flower, the Washington Wine Commission and the Apple Commission.