b'fromEPAsOfficeofPesticide and more. GrowersareusedtoadaptingandPrograms(OPP)andbroadenthe overcoming challenges, so we trulyoffering to include staff from USDA Based on the feedback, we are confi- appreciated of all those willing to beAPHISPlantProtectionand denttheregulatorsinattendance a part of this years unique program,Quarantine (PPQ) program. In fact, walked away with a deeper under- including those who provided pre-morethan160participantsjoined standing of the complexities around sentations on the key pests impact-the tourfar surpassing the reach of producing a high-quality, high-cost ing the industry. While the effortsa traditional farm tour. potato crop for U.S. consumers and of NPC focus at the federal level, itconsumers around the globe in an isequallyimportantthatgrowersThroughouttheday,participants environmentallyresponsibleman- and state organizations continue towere provided information on pest ner.communicatetherealitiesofpro-managementrelatedtogrowing duction and impacts of decisions byseed and in the pre-plant, planting, Additionally,weatNPCplanon stateandlocalpolicymakers.Wein the field, and post-harvest stages. usingthevideopresentationsto lookforwardtoanin-persontourPresentersrangedfromgrowers, educateevenmoreagencystaffers next year in Colorado, we are confi-statemanagers,extensioneduca- abouthowpotatoesaresafely dentthatthe2020virtualversiontors, and researchers from across the grown,stored,processed,anddis- was a success and well-representedcountryontopicssuchasweeds, tributedtofamilydinnertables the needs of this industry.bacteria, nematodes, fungi, insects, across America. SEPTEMBER/OCOTBER 2020 POTATO GROWER 9'