Potato Agronomist Jeff Stark receives innovation award

Potato agronomist Jeff Stark was one of three plant breeders who were honored with Innovation Awards from the University of Idaho Technology Transfer Office.

The awards recognized researchers who gained plant variety protection or patents for their inventions in fiscal year 2010.

Stark was honored in part for his work with the Alturas, Russet Burbank M1621 and Gemstar Russet potato varieties, which received plant variety protection this year. Alturas ranked fifth among varieties grown in Idaho in 2006 and seventh nationally.

The other plant researchers receiving Innovation Awards were Jack Brown and Robert Zemetra.