Eye on Potatoes: A Podcast on All Things Potatoes

Eye on Potatoes
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Eye on Potatoes: A Podcast on All Things Potatoes

The Eye on Potatoes Podcast is brought to you by the National Potato Council. This is the place to tune in for conversations with growers and thought leaders on advocacy, production and all things potatoes. It's about talking with folks across the United States and hearing stories about how federal policy impacts potato farming and the important role the NPC plays in standing up for potatoes on Capitol Hill. Thanks to our presenting sponsor, Syngenta. Delivering solutions to help producers face the potato industry's complex challenges, Syngenta provides growers with unmatched field expertise along with an array of effective products. Explore syngenta-us.com/spud-doctor to discover solutions for your potato growing obstacles.

  1. 14H AGO

    The $2.5 Billion Breakthrough: A Deep Dive into Specialty Crop Support

    Earlier this summer, Congress and USDA delivered desperately needed funding for specialty crop growers, including our potato farmers, through a $2.5 billion injection of federal support through the Marketing Assistance for Specialty Crops (MASC) program and the "One Big Beautiful Bill." Joining us to break down this game-changing news are Kam Quarles, CEO of the National Potato Council and Co-Chair of the Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance, and Dean Gibson, NPC's Vice President of Legislative Affairs and an Idaho potato grower.  They'll discuss the origins of this investment, the light-speed delivery of payments, and the immediate impact on farms. We'll also explore how these funds, which include investments in agricultural research, foreign market promotion, and pest and disease eradication, are crucial for the sustained competitiveness of the potato industry and reflect the evolving recognition of specialty crops in U.S. agricultural policy.  Tune in to understand what this historic funding means for the future of your farm! This podcast is possible thanks to our presenting sponsor, Syngenta. Delivering solutions to help producers face the potato industry's complex challenges, Syngenta provides growers with unmatched field expertise along with an array of effective products. Explore syngenta-us.com/spud-doctor to discover solutions for your potato-growing obstacles.

    30 min

  2. JUL 8

    Seeding the Future: Unpacking True Potato Seed

    During Potato Expo 2025, we were joined by Kam Quarles, CEO of the National Potato Council, and Andy Lavigne, President and CEO of the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA), to dig into the future of potato growing with a fascinating topic: True Potato Seed Andy will shed light on ASTA's pivotal role in evolving plant breeding methods and genetic discovery, then he'll break down what "true potato seed" is and its benefits for the potato sector. We'll also get an update on the regulatory and technological status of true potato seed and discuss where it's headed in the marketplace. Kam will outline the National Potato Council's role in this innovation and highlight the importance of events like Potato Expo 2025 in keeping growers and industry members informed. This podcast is possible thanks to our presenting sponsor, Syngenta. Delivering solutions to help producers face the potato industry's complex challenges, Syngenta provides growers with unmatched field expertise along with an array of effective products. Explore syngenta-us.com/spud-doctor to discover solutions for your potato-growing obstacles.

    28 min

  3. JUN 18

    MAHA and its implications on food & farm policy

    The Trump Administration's "Make America Healthy Again" (MAHA) Commission report, spearheaded by Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr., has ignited a major debate across the U.S. food and agriculture landscape. While the National Potato Council applauds the report's focus on a healthier America and increased fruit and vegetable consumption, certain recommendations are raising critical questions for our industry. In this episode, we're joined by NPC CEO Kam Quarles and returning guest Beth Johnson, Founder & Principal of Food Directions. We dive deep into the MAHA report, exploring its implications for food policy, the integrity of our science-based regulatory system, and the future of American family farms. Join us as we discuss: An overview of the MAHA Commission's key findings.Effective strategies for expanding access to and awareness of healthy foods.Defining "ultraprocessed foods" and distinguishing between beneficial and unhealthy food processing.The critical importance of peer-reviewed science in food and agricultural policy, and the dangers of allowing popular opinion to sway regulatory decisions.The implications of the report's criticisms of pesticides, including glyphosate, on farm practices and food safety protocols.The broader philosophical shift in the MAHA report regarding scientific consensus versus individual beliefs.How the agricultural industry and policymakers can collaborate to achieve a healthier America while safeguarding our science-based regulatory system and supporting family farms.Top priorities for a science-based and practical implementation of the MAHA report's health goals.This podcast is possible thanks to our presenting sponsor, Syngenta. Delivering solutions to help producers face the potato industry's complex challenges, Syngenta provides growers with unmatched field expertise along with an array of effective products. Explore syngenta-us.com/spud-doctor to discover solutions for your potato-growing obstacles.

    44 min

  4. JUN 4

    Cultivating Tomorrow's Leaders: Potato LEAF's Five-Year Anniversary

    Join us for a special episode dedicated to the Potato Leadership, Education and Advancement Foundation (Potato LEAF)! Launched in January 2020 at Potato Expo, Potato LEAF is shaping the future of U.S. potato production through impactful leadership and educational programming, born from a vision to establish a long-term funding mechanism for the industry's growth. In this episode, we'll dive into the five-year history of Potato LEAF, explore how collaborative leadership has driven its success, and celebrate the incredible results of its inaugural Founders Society Campaign, which surpassed its $2 million goal even amidst the challenges of COVID-19. We're honored to host three influential voices from Potato LEAF's journey: Larry Alsum, President and CEO of Alsum Farms and Produce. As National Potato Council President in 2019, Larry provided the foundational recommendation to create Potato LEAF for leadership development and education. He'll share insights into the genesis of this vital organization and give us a peek into his Wisconsin farm, a stop on this year's Leadership Institute.Gregg Halverson, Chairman of the Board for Black Gold Farms and current Chair of Potato LEAF. Gregg will discuss the foundation's current initiatives and future direction.Mike Wenkel, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer of Potato LEAF.This podcast is possible thanks to our presenting sponsor, Syngenta. Delivering solutions to help producers face the potato industry's complex challenges, Syngenta provides growers with unmatched field expertise along with an array of effective products. Explore syngenta-us.com/spud-doctor to discover solutions for your potato-growing obstacles.

    26 min

  5. MAY 21

    2025 Political Outlook with Nathan Gonzales

    Nathan Gonzales is Editor & Publisher of Inside Elections, which provides nonpartisan analysis of campaigns for Senate, House, governor, and president. He's also co-host of the Inside Elections Podcast and an Elections Analyst for CQ Roll Call.  During the 2025 NPC Washington Summit, we sat down with Nathan to talk about the political trends coming out of the 2024 elections, the latest innovations and challenges shaping the future of political campaigning, and how the political chessboard has been rearranged for 2025 and beyond.  This podcast is possible thanks to our presenting sponsor, Syngenta. Delivering solutions to help producers face the potato industry's complex challenges, Syngenta provides growers with unmatched field expertise along with an array of effective products. Explore syngenta-us.com/spud-doctor to discover solutions for your potato-growing obstacles.

    26 min

  6. MAY 7

    Endangered Species Act Update

    U.S. EPA has made a concerted effort over the past several years to come into compliance with its obligations under the Endangered Species Act. Much of its efforts are driven by what is referred to as the Mega Suit by environmental groups, which are forcing deadlines on EPA to meet its obligations. During Potato Expo 2025, we sat down with two policy experts to talk about what the implementation of EPA’s strategy will mean for growers. Guests:  Mike Aerts, Vice President of Science and Regulatory Affairs, Florida Fruit & Vegetable AssociationMike Wenkel, Chief Operating Officer, National Potato CouncilThis podcast is possible thanks to our presenting sponsor, Syngenta. Delivering solutions to help producers face the potato industry's complex challenges, Syngenta provides growers with unmatched field expertise along with an array of effective products. Explore syngenta-us.com/spud-doctor to discover solutions for your potato-growing obstacles.

    27 min

  7. APR 22

    Meet Brett Jensen, NPC VP of Trade Affairs

    During the 2025 NPC Washington Summit, we caught up with Brett Jensen, the newly elected National Potato Council Vice President of Trade Affairs. We chatted with Brett about his operations in Idaho Falls, his previous chairmanships of the Idaho Potato Commission and Potatoes USA, and how his background supports his role in leading NPC's trade advocacy efforts.

    15 min

  8. APR 10

    Tariff Volatility: NPC Analyzing Impact on Growers

    On April 9, President Trump announced he would pause "reciprocal" tariffs on dozens of non-retaliating countries for 90 days while raising duties on China to 125%. Responding to the news, NPC CEO Kam Quarles and industry consultant Matt Lantz jumped on the podcast to discuss the rapidly changing environment around tariffs, how our industry's top export markets are reacting, and some new opportunities they are seeing for reaching new consumers throughout the world.  Guests:   Matt Lantz, Senior Vice President, Global Access at Bryant Christie, Inc.Kam Quarles, CEO, National Potato CouncilThis podcast is possible thanks to our presenting sponsor, Syngenta. Delivering solutions to help producers face the potato industry's complex challenges, Syngenta provides growers with unmatched field expertise along with an array of effective products. Explore syngenta-us.com/spud-doctor to discover solutions for your potato-growing obstacles.

    26 min
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4.6
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About

The Eye on Potatoes Podcast is brought to you by the National Potato Council. This is the place to tune in for conversations with growers and thought leaders on advocacy, production and all things potatoes. It's about talking with folks across the United States and hearing stories about how federal policy impacts potato farming and the important role the NPC plays in standing up for potatoes on Capitol Hill. Thanks to our presenting sponsor, Syngenta. Delivering solutions to help producers face the potato industry's complex challenges, Syngenta provides growers with unmatched field expertise along with an array of effective products. Explore syngenta-us.com/spud-doctor to discover solutions for your potato growing obstacles.

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