Conference showcases all things potato
Columbia Basin Herald | UPDATED 5 years, 11 months AGO
Erin Hightower, an agronomist for RDO Equipment, shows off a special Greentronics conveyor belt that weighs crops like potatoes as they are harvested at the Washington-Oregon Potato Conference in Kennewick Wednesday. When combined with GPS data, Hightower said the system, sold by RDO, allows farmers to know precisely how much they harvest and where.
KENNEWICK — The Tri-Cities became the epicenter of all things potato-related this week, as growers, processors, agronomists and more gathered at the Tri-Cities Convention Center for the 11th annual Washington-Oregon Potato Conference.
The conference, which began Tuesday and wraps up today, included workshops and talks from some of the most respected names in the potato field, including experts from the universities of Washington and Oregon, on pests, diseases, soil management and other topics. There were also presentations on safety and employment regulations in both English and Spanish. The keynote speaker was Amber Mac, discussing the future of the potato industry in a high-tech age.
The business side of the field was also represented with a trade show featuring almost 200 exhibitors and vendors from around the country.
The fare wasn’t completely technical, as attendees were also treated to an all-you-can-eat potato bar, a potato peeling contest and a winery tour especially for spouses.
The Washington Potato Conference was held in Moses Lake until 2009, when it moved to Kennewick. It merged with the Oregon Potato Conference, which had previously been held in Portland, in 2010.
— Staff report