KENNEWICK, Wash. — Potato growers have the chance to come together to learn more about their trade, participate in potato-geared activities and network at the annual Washington-Oregon Potato Conference this week.

The conference kicks off today and is open through Thursday.

It is held at the Three Rivers Convention Center, located at 7016 West Grandridge Boulevard in Kennewick, Wash.

For the first time, the Washington State Potato Commission (WSPC) is partnering with the Oregon Potato Commission (OPC) for a Washington-Oregon conference. The WSPC has held a conference for 49 years.

“The combination of our two conferences into one event is just another example of how our two potato states cooperate,” stated Chris Voigt, WSPC executive director. “We have always worked together on common issues and have recently expanded our level of cooperation by partnering on fumigant research for the United States Environmental Protection Agency, assisting our Universities to keep critical Tri-State Breeding facilities open, entering joint potato commission projects and joint potato promotions in Asia and complementing each other’s work in Washington, D.C.”

Conference events include workshops, social events and general sessions.

“This new conference is an exciting expansion of that spirit of collaboration between our two states,” Voigt stated.

The event enables conference and trade show participants to be at one location, reaching most of the Oregon and Washington growers.

“We believe the combined conference will allow our growers to participate in a much-improved program for the OPC over our past conferences,” stated Bill Brewer, OPC director. “We really see the combined effort as a very positive move for all the growers in the Pacific Northwest.”

General sessions start with a continental breakfast at 7:30 a.m. at the convention center and end around 4:00 p.m. Topics include potatoes and diet, farming tips and ideas, insect prevention and fertilization.

Social activities include a trade show reception and potato auction today and a ladies program, potato bar and potato foundation banquet Thursday.

The trade show is from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. The purpose is to give attendees the opportunity to meet fellow growers, talk with potential clients and enjoy appetizers.

The ladies’ program is a chance for women inside and outside the industry to come together for wine, food and salsa lessons. The Salsa con Rumba Dance Company is performing and teaching. The program is from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The potato bar is from noon to 1:30 and features a variety of baked potatoes and fixings to sample.

Comedian Bob Farmer is speaking at the foundation banquet from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Today, attendees can attend a 2010 Cultivar Performance Workshop from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Attendees can view the clones and cultivars from this year’s trials, receive updates and evaluate baby potatoes with experts.

For more information, contact Washington State Potato Conference workers at 509-766-7123 or info@potatoconference.com.