As anyone who has traveled throughout central Washington knows, potatoes are one of the most planted crops in the region.
In fact, more than 50 percent of the potatoes in the U.S. are grown in the Pacific Northwest and 23 percent of the nation’s potatoes are grown right here in central Washington.
Potato farmers employ thousands and their product literally feeds millions around the world.
That is why I recently helped defeat an effort in Congress to cut funding for ongoing efforts at Washington State University, Oregon State University and the University of Idaho to research the best ways to keep potato crops healthy and disease free.
