The Potato Industry Leadership Institute (PILI) class of 2015 included 27 potato growers and industry representatives. The annual program is administered by the National Potato Council (NPC) and the United States Potato Board (USPB) and identifies and trains the next generation of industry leaders.
From Feb. 18-25, PILI participants traveled from potato-growing regions across the country to attend eight days of industry training and professional development. This year’s class kicked off in Spokane, Wash., where the class received an overview of the local and national potato industry, including some of the challenges and issues beyond the production sector.
NPC executive vice president and CEO John Keeling provided attendees with an overview of the industry’s pressing public policy issues. USPB chief marketing officer John Toaspern gave a market and consumer update and highlighted international export opportunities for potatoes and potato products. Participants visited Grand Coulee Dam and the John Keys Pumping Station, which provide the irrigation water to support potato production in Washington State.
Attendees joined in the discussions on public policy taking place at NPC’s Potato D.C. Fly-In, where they learned about the legislative and regulatory priorities of the U.S. potato industry. The program finished with a day of lobbying visits to offices on Capitol Hill, where participants joined their state grower delegations for the Fly-In to meet with members of Congress and advocate for industry priorities.
Reid Mattive of Worley Family Farms in Monte Vista, Colo., served as the group’s Grower-Leader after being elected to the position in 2014. At the conclusion of the event, the 2015 class elected Bridgett Cheff of Lake Seed Farms in Ronan, Mont., to serve as the 2016 Grower-Leader.
The Institute is made possible each year through a major sponsorship from Syngenta. For additional photos, visit the NPC’s Facebook page.