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Potato farmers, scientists, pros gather in Kennewick

NANCE BESTON | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 1 year, 1 month AGO
by NANCE BESTON
Staff Writer | January 30, 2025 2:15 AM

KENNEWICK — The Washington and Oregon Potato Conference is happening this week at the Three Rivers Convention Center in Kennewick with farmers from throughout Eastern Washington visiting with academics, politicians, distributors and a variety of vendors to discuss all things potatoes. Full coverage of the event will be in the February edition of the Basin Business Journal, our sister publication. There’s still time to make it to the event for those interested. Visit potatoes.com/potatoconference for details on the event.


    The Washington and Oregon Potato Conference commenced for its second day Wednesday. The day included presentations from Washington State Potato Commission Executive Director Chris Voigt where he gave an update on the commission and potatoes in the state – which was overall positive. Other speakers filled the rest of the day including topics of pests, water and storage of potatoes.
 
 
    Two participants of the Washington and Oregon Potato Conference walked through exhibitors Wednesday. The conference had hundreds of booths filled both the Three-Rivers Convention Center and the Toyota Center. Vendors included technology companies, farmers, producers, pesticide management and more.
 
 
    On Wednesday during the Washington and Oregon Potato Conference people had the opportunity to eat at the annual potato bar. Participants were handed a baked potato which they could load with chili, beef stroganoff, bacon, cheese, onions, sour cream and more.
 
 


 

    The conference included a potato chip challenge. Participants tasted each chip and attempted to guess the flavor and manufacturer.
 
 


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