07/15/05 Potato grower survey and referendum

07/15/05 Potato grower survey and referendum

Farm and Ranch July 15, 2005 Washington potato growers should have received a one-page survey from the Washington State Potato Commission asking them to confirm name, farm, address and production numbers for the years 2002 through 2004. The WSPC says the survey information will be kept confidential and is essential for the referendum process to be completed later this year. Only those growers returning surveys will be on the mailing list to receive ballots for the referendum. Any grower who did not receive a survey is asked to phone Autumn at the Potato Commission at 509-765-8845. The Commission would like the survey to be returned as soon as possible. Later in the summer, the Department of Agriculture will hold public hearings and WSDA Director Valoria Loveland will use the report of the Hearing Officer to make the decision on whether to proceed with the referendum. After the Director's review period and pending a favorable decision to proceed with the vote, the referendum ballots will be mailed to Affected Producers in late November. An affirmative vote for the referendum will assure growers the right to keep electing their Commissioners rather than having them appointed. A redrawing of district boundaries will make election of Commissioners easier. Approval of the referendum will also officially take the Potato Commission out of advertising and promotion activities, which have drawn lawsuits and judgements against other commissions, although public education on environmental, economic and nutritional aspects of potato growing and consuming is still allowed. There is no assessment increase. That's the Northwest Farm and Ranch Report. Brought to you in part by the Washington State Potato Commission. Nutrition today. Good health tomorrow. I'm Bob Hoff on the Northwest Ag Information Network.
Previous Report07/14/05 Lowest fall spud acres in decades
Next Report07/18/05 Camelina as a crop for biodiesel