Feb. 27: Potato workshop highlights best practices, research

By Cathy McKenzie, WSU Mount Vernon

potatoMOUNT VERNON, Wash. – Diseases and weeds that afflict potatoes and best practices for growing them in western Washington are among the topics at a potato workshop 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 27, at the Washington State University Mount Vernon Research Center, 16650 State Route 536, Mount Vernon.

More than 100 potato industry leaders and growers are expected at the 33rd annual workshop, which is free to the public without pre-registration. Details can be found at http://mtvernon.wsu.edu/path_team/2015%20W.%20WA%20Potato%20Workshop%20brochure.pdf.

“Agriculture has changed a lot in Skagit County over the previous 33 years,” said speaker Don McMoran, WSU Skagit County Extension director. “Potatoes have filled a niche and allowed Skagit County to be a leader in food production for western Washington.”

“I have attended and presented at almost every workshop since 1990,” said WSU Mount Vernon vegetable pathologist Debbie Inglis. “It has been gratifying to see the continuity in attendance over the years, and I always learn something new and relevant to my own potato disease research.”

She will discuss research findings on three diseases that can affect potato tubers: brown spot, silver scurf and potato virus Y.

WSU Mount Vernon weed scientist Tim Miller will discuss how herbicides kill and which to target to which weeds.

The Western Washington Potato Workshop is sponsored by the Washington State Seed Potato Commission and WSU Skagit County Extension.

 

Contacts:
Don McMoran, WSU Skagit County Extension, 360-428-4270 x225, dmcmoran@wsu.edu
Debbie Inglis, WSU Mount Vernon, 360-848-6134, dainglis@wsu.edu
Tim Miller, WSU Mount Vernon, 360-848-6138, twmiller@wsu.edu