Legislators honored at annual Potato Day

Connell potato farmer Ted Tschirky (center) awards Rep. Brian Blake and Sen. Janea Holmquist giant peelers.

It was that time of the year again, when the potato industry calls on the capitol and reminds everyone how good $3.5 billion for the state’s economy can taste.

Washington potato growers spent Feb. 9 and 10 in Olympia meeting with legislators and agency heads, discussing what’s important to the potato industry.

“This is a critical year as we are facing losses of tax exemptions that could cost our farmers millions,” Ted Tschirky, chair of the Washington State Potato Commission, said. “And in some cases, that means the ability to farm at all.”

Besides meeting individually with close to 30 senators and representatives, the growers took time to recognize two legislators for their support of agriculture and its issues.

“During her tenure in the upper chamber, Sen. Janea Holmquist has continued to be an unwavering advocate for the potato industry in Washington state,” Chris Voigt, executive director of the Washington State Potato Commission, said of the 13th District senator.

He said working to control unnecessary costs associated with water, energy, transportation and labor — including workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance and minimum wage — have all been part of her agenda to help keep Washington potatoes competitive in global markets.

Holmquist was honored by the potato industry in 2003 when she was a State Representative for her help on transportation and other issues.

The group also honored
Rep. Brian Blake from Aberdeen, chair of the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee, for his understanding of and work on behalf of agriculture and Washington’s rural, natural resources economy. Blake joined with Rep. Judy Warnick (District 13) to sponsor HJM 4012 requesting support for Phase II of the Columbia Basin Project, has worked to preserve farmland and has been a strong advocate for grower-funded com-
modity commissions.

“Brian doesn’t hesitate to tackle tough issues important to eastern Washington and to work across the political aisle,” Voight said.

At lunchtime, Ted Tschirky and fellow commissioners and farmers donned aprons to serve 1,600 baked potatoes to appreciative legislators, capitol employees and visitors at the annual Potato Day potato bar in the capitol rotunda.

“It is a wonderful opportunity to remind the legislature how big our potato industry is and also a chance for them to taste our final product,” said Tschirky.

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Posted by admin on Feb 19 2010. Filed under Ag & Politics. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry