Eye on Potatoes: A Podcast on All Things Potatoes

The U.S. potato industry is an American agriculture export success story. Growing from $1.1 billion to $1.7 billion (54%) in exports over the past decade, one in every five rows of U.S. potatoes is now destined for foreign consumers. These tremendous gains are the product of careful trade negotiations and enforcement actions over many decades and the commitment of time and resources of the industry. This podcast brings together some of those who have been leading the way in our efforts to increase access to foreign markets, thereby improving the health and prosperity of the entire U.S. potato industry.

Welcome to the Eye on Potatoes Podcast, brought to you by the National Potato Council, with host Lane Nordlund. This is the place to tune in for conversations about advocacy, production and all things potatoes. It's about talking with folks across the United States and hearing stories about how federal policy impacts potato farming and the important role the NPC plays in standing up for potatoes on Capitol Hill.

In late September, Congressman Frank Lucas (R-Okla.) introduced the "Protect Farmers from the SEC Act" -- a bill that would prohibit the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) from requiring publicly traded companies to disclose the greenhouse gas emissions from farms and ranches in its value chain. Congressman Lucas called in to talk about his efforts to support American agriculture by opposing this federal governmental overreach, and, as a former Chair of the House Agriculture Committee, previewed the challenges of writing a 2023 Farm Bill.
Plus NPC's Kam Quarles and Hollee Alexander sat down to discuss Potato Expo 2023, Jan. 4-5, in Denver, Colorado, and one of the event's featured sessions: This Spuds for You – Celebrity Chef Edition. The celebrity cook-off will be hosted by Emmy Award-winning host of Chopped and Chopped Junior Ted Allen and feature chef teams led by pastry chef, Food Network personality, and cookbook author Duff Goldman vs. author, food and travel writer, and Food Network personality Simon Majumdar.
Thanks to our presenting sponsor, Syngenta. Delivering solutions to help producers face the potato industry's complex challenges, Syngenta provides growers with unmatched field expertise along with an array of effective products. Explore syngenta-us.com/spud-doctor to discover solutions for your potato growing obstacles.

On Nov. 6, Mexico's National Service for Agricultural Health, Food Safety, and Agri-Quality (SENASICA) published the Phytosanitary Requirement Sheet for U.S. potato imports to the entirety of Mexico. NPC CEO Kam Quarles and Potatoes USA Chief Marketing Officer John Toaspern joined the podcast to announce another important step that was taken to fully reopen the market for U.S. fresh potatoes: an operational work plan that was signed by Mexico and the United States.

As potato growers continue to reel from the COVID-19 pandemic fallout, Congressman Mike Simpson and the entire Idaho Congressional delegation are championing policy solutions to support the nation's struggling potato industry. Congressman Simpson joins the podcast to discuss the role Congress needs to play as the industry works to dig out from a 1.5 billion pound oversupply of 2019 potatoes stuck in the supply chain and seeks meaningful direct payment relief to keep family farms in business.
Also, National Potato Council CEO Kam Quarles calls in from D.C. to discuss the $300 million in additional potato purchases the industry needs to help bring supply and demand back into balance.
Guests:

• U.S. Representative Mike Simpson (R-Idaho)
• NPC CEO Kam Quarles