b'That evening we were on our own. Wehadashort Mostofgroupmembershadsup- awardsceremony pers/meetings with their state man- whereourgroup agers.TJ Hall from Halls in Hoople,had voted on a few North Dakota and I had supper at aspecial awards and sushi restaurant in Trump Hotel.ourrepresentativefornextyears Thursday, March 3rdGrowerLeader.I NPPGA President Donavon Johnsonwastherecipient andJustinDagenofKarlstad,of the Red Potato MinnesotaarrangedmeetingsforAwardforbeing theindividualsthatattendedtheCreative,Adaptive Fly-InfromNorthDakotaandandInnovative. Minnesota.TJ Hall was there for theTherewerefour NPCmeetingsbutflewoutother awards simi-Thursdaymorning.JustinDagen,lartothisand Peter Imle and myself were able tothen Mike Phillips visitwithastaffmemberfromfromWaltherA field under irrigation.NorthDakotaSenatorKevinFarms in Michigan Cramers office, a staff member fromwasnamedourfrom North Dakota.The training, NorthDakotaRepresentativeKellyGrower Leader for next year, he willspeakersandeventsplannedby Armstrongsoffice,NorthDakotaattendthePILIprogramagaintoNPC were top notch!There was a SenatorJohnHoevenandhelp lead that class through the pro- lotofinformationcrammedinto MinnesotaRepresentativeMichellegram.our 8 working days but it was done Fischbach.NPC had given us five amazingly well!issue papers with topics to addressFriday, March 4thwhen meeting with the delegates.Full Travel Day home!IamsothankfulforNPPGAforallowing me the opportunity to rep-OurtopicswereTradeAction,Whew, that was a lot!It was a longresent the Red River Valley of North specifically with Mexico, Ag Labor,10 days away from work and home,Dakotainthisprogram.Igained specifically with reform of the H2Abut it truly was an amazing experi- professionalskills,networking program,ResearchAction,main- ence.I have done a variety of othermembersandanewfoundinterest taining NIFAs grant and asking for aleadership classes and program butand appreciation for our legislative smallincreasegoingforward,this is the first that was truly potatorepresentativesandNPCsrolein SchoolMealAction,gettingpota- industry specific and it was GREAT!the potato industry.I cannot say it toes off the restricted list in schoolenough, it truly was an experience breakfastprogramsandSupplyTherewere17otherparticipantsof a lifetime!ChainAction,inputcosts,trans- from around the country in varying portation, CDL requirements. sectorsofpotatoeschips,fresh,TheNPPGAandthismagazine seed,processing,packer/shipper,would like to thank Carissa for giv-That evening our group and a fewresearchandequipment.WehadingusthisinsidelookatthePILI otherPotatoIndustrypeopleparticipants from Idaho, Colorado,training and events of her trip. attendedtheWashingtonCapitolsMontana,Michigan,Wisconsin,vs Carolina Hurricanes NHL game. Washington,Nevadaandmyself APRIL 2022 POTATO GROWER 25'