b'COVID-19 Radically Changes NPPGA Event Participationby Ted Kreis, NPPGA Marketing and Communications Directorthing has changed.TheJune25thPotatoesUSASummer Meeting was held virtuallyThe following is a list of just some of rather than gathering in person inthe past events that NPPGA attends Boise, Idaho.that were altered, postponed or can-celed altogether:ThefollowingisthestatusofNPPGAresearch,marketing,and upcoming events we also take partbudgetmeetingsinMarchwere in:conducted via conference call. TheNorthDakotaStateFairin Harvest North Dakota educational July, canceled.eventinLisbon,NorthDakotain TheNPPGAGolfOpenonJulyApril was canceled. 16thinParkRiverisstillonwithFargoMarathoninMaypost- socialdistancingguidelinesbeingponed until August. followed.Thepandemichasradicallychanged everything for most all of NationalRestaurantAssociationNPPGA Field Day on August 27thus and that is no different here at Show in Chicago in May was can- will likely be altered with details toNPPGA.Thewordzoomhas celed. be determined.taken on a whole new meaning. ItBarnesville Potato Days in Auguststill describes something moving at TheJune19thUPGACropTransition Conference in the Twin - canceled.a high rate of speed, but more com-monly describes a business meeting Cities was held virtually.Minnesota State Fair in Septemberheldvirtuallyonline.NPPGA canceledPresidentDonavonJohnsonhasparticipatedincountlessmeetingson Zoom, many of which have dealtwith.youguessedit,COVID-19.Likeeverythingelse,thepotatoindustry and agriculture in general,havebeengreatlyaffectedbythisglobal pandemic.ThePotatoesUSAannualmeetingheldinDenverinmid-MarchwasthelastlargegatheringDonavon Currently, large gatherings like this one at the 2016 Potato Bowl French FryFeed still pose a risk for community spread ofCOVID-19 which make futureand I attended.Since then, every- planning difficult.4 POTATO GROWER JULY/AUGUST 2020'