Spud-focused: Research results among subjects at 2024 Washington-Oregon Potato Conference

KENNEWICK — Research into potato pests and disease, new labor rules in Washington and innovations in the potato industry will be among the topics covered at the Washington-Oregon Potato Conference Jan. 23 through 25 at the Three Rivers Convention Center in Kennewick.

Most of the classes are scheduled for Jan. 24 and 25, with a Spanish-language session Jan. 25. A potato cultivar workshop and a separate presentation on innovation in agriculture are scheduled for Jan. 23. 

Traditionally the conference features a baked potato bar during one day of the conference, and for 2024 that’s Jan. 24. The “Flavor Chip Challenge” also is scheduled for Jan. 24; participants will be confronted with a table of different potato chips, and will be asked to identify the brands and flavors, according to the Washington State Potato Commission. 

A trade show will run the same time as the conference, with vendors featuring everything from tractors and spray equipment to storage to the television series Washington Grown. 

The potato cultivar workshop will be from 1:30 to 5 p.m. Jan. 23. Farmers will have a chance to look at the results from the 2023 cultivar trials, including field performance. Other classes will examine postharvest storage and quality evaluation for the 2023 crop and look at breeding and development programs in Oregon and Washington. Another class will review disease resistance using the Payette Russet variety as an example.

There is no keynote speaker for 2024, the WSPC said.

General sessions begin at 8 a.m. Jan. 24 and 25 and last all day. The baked potato bar will be available for lunch from noon to 1:30 p.m. Jan. 24, and a hosted luncheon is scheduled for noon Jan. 25.

Classes cover everything from combatting potato pests and disease to sustainable farming — and telling consumers about it — to marketing. 

Washington State University professor Mark Pavek will discuss the historical performance of potato seed lots. Pavek focuses his research on potato agronomy and developing potato varieties, according to the WSU website. 

Ken Frost will talk about soil health and managing soil for “climate-smart” outcomes. Frost is an associate professor specializing in plant pathology for Oregon State University at OSU’s research and extension center in Hermiston. 

Water and water use is always an important issue in the drylands of the Pacific Northwest, many of which are potato-growing regions. Classes will cover water use and the effects of changing conditions on potato farming.

Nick Bond, a senior research scientist at the University of Washington, will be the speaker for the water supply and demand class. Bond is the state climatologist as well as a UW research professor. 

The Endangered Species Act and its impact on pesticide use is the topic of one class, and another focuses on new Washington state requirements governing outdoor work on days with wildfire smoke or severe heat. 

Potatoes also can be affected by severe heat, and a class will cover its impact. Another will talk about assessing soil health in Washington potato fields. 

Other classes focus on pest control; one class will assess controlling certain species of pests using conventional or organic methods.

Carrie Wohleb and Tim Waters, who both work for WSU Extension, will talk about accessing resources available to farmers through WSU’s integrated pest management program. 

Presenters will talk about getting sustainable farming messages out to consumers and selling potatoes in a global market. Another class will look at trends in assessing the health and medicinal benefits of different foods and the place of potatoes in that trend. 

The Washington and Oregon potato commissions and the National Potato Council will all give updates on their work. 

The Spanish-language session will be from 8 a.m. to noon Jan. 25. Classes will include a review of the latest pesticide compliance rules and the new wildfire smoke and severe heat rules for workers. Other classes will talk about community resources available to farmworkers, and a discussion of health insurance plans and options. 

Cheryl Schweizer may be reached at cschweizer@columbiabasinherald.com.

    Attendees at the conference generally get an opportunity to eat and learn new ways to cook potatoes. Even an experienced potato farmer can sometimes learn a new trick or two.