Eye on DC: David Wasserman to Address the 2024 NPC Washington Summit

January 5, 2024

In This Issue:

David Wasserman to Address the 2024 NPC Washington Summit
EPA Approves New Bioinsecticide to Control Colorado Potato Beetle
NPC Attends Maine Potato Summit
The Potato Expo Digital Guide: Bookmark Before You Go!
Bid from Home to Support Tomorrow’s Leaders
Plan Your Visits in the Record-Breaking Expo Hall
Thanks to our Potato Expo 2024 Sponsors
No Eye on D.C. Next Week

David Wasserman to Address the 2024 NPC Washington Summit

We are pleased to welcome David Wasserman back to the NPC Washington Summit, Feb. 26-March 1. As the Senior Editor and Election Analyst for The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter and a contributor to NBC News, Wasserman is well-known inside and outside of the Beltway for his unbiased assessments of the current political environment. His data-driven forecasting and expert analysis will help provide Summit attendees with information to better advocate for the industry’s policy agenda as we Stand Up for Potatoes on Capitol Hill!

Learn more and register here.

EPA Approves New Bioinsecticide to Control Colorado Potato Beetle

GreenLight Biosciences yesterday announced it has achieved EPA approval for Calantha, a bioinsecticide designed to combat the Colorado potato beetle. According to a company release, Calantha, “an innovative bioinsecticide based on RNA, represents an historic stride forward in diversifying options for farmers and reducing reliance on conventional chemical pesticides.”

In October 2023, NPC issued a letter of support for Calantha’s approval. “The Colorado potato beetle accounts for more than $500 million worldwide in annual crop losses. Managing this destructive pest presents a unique challenge: it is quick to develop resistance to mitigation efforts and many existing options have lost their efficacy. As such, new tools, like Calantha, are needed,” NPC wrote. That letter is available here.

NPC Attends Maine Potato Summit

This week, NPC COO Mike Wenkel spoke at the 2024 Maine Potato Summit to provide the state's growers and industry partners an update on the industry’s national public policy priorities. Mike also highlighted NPC’s economic analysis released before the 2023 NPC Washington Summit, which found that the U.S. potato industry delivers more than $100 billion in economic activity to the country each year.

The Potato Expo Digital Guide: Bookmark Before You Go!

The Potato Expo 2024 Digital Guide, produced by Spudman Magazine, has everything you need to maximize your Austin experience.

See detailed daily schedules with descriptions of each session and event
View a list of exhibitors and the Expo Hall floorplan
Find opportunities to connect with fellow attendees
See the items available for the Potato LEAF auctions
… and more!

Check out the guide here.

Bid from Home to Support Tomorrow’s Leaders

The Potato LEAF silent auction is live with online bidding. Bid early, bid often, and even if you aren't attending Potato Expo 2024 you can still support future leaders in the U.S. potato industry by bidding from home.

Click here to get in on the action, plus check out all the great live auction items available next week in Austin.

Plan Your Visits in the Record-Breaking Expo Hall

Potato Expo is back in a big way with a record-breaking 215 exhibitors filling up 100,000+ square feet of trade show space at the Austin Convention Center. Exhibitors from across the potato value chain will provide attendees with information to help grow their businesses and meet their goals for the new year. Make a plan before you arrive by viewing the Expo Hall Map and Exhibit Booth Map.

Thanks to our Potato Expo 2024 Sponsors

For 16 years, the National Potato Council has been proud to bring the industry together at Potato Expo to learn, connect, and celebrate all things potatoes. Thanks to our many returning sponsors and those who have joined us for the first time this year – Potato Expo would not be possible without you.

No Eye on D.C. Next Week

The newsletter is taking a break next week as we recover from our record-breaking Potato Expo 2024. Follow all the action on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, and tune in the following week for a full wrap-up of our time in Austin.

The NPC office is closed Monday, Jan. 15 for the MLK Day federal holiday.

Stay Connected!

View Email as Webpage

National Potato Council

Visit Website

202.682.9456 | spudinfo@nationalpotatocouncil.org