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POTATO GROWERS OF ALBERTAALBERTAPOTATOES.CAPotato MinuteMarch 31, 2013EditionFrom the Executive Director’s DeskInside this issue:This edition of the PotatoMinute finds me writing thisarticle from a different deskfrom within the office. Firstof all, I would like to take thisopportunity to thank all ofyou, the growers, for yoursupport and encouragementthis past 2 years. Whenyou consider that two yearsago, when I started with thePGA, my knowledge of thisindustry was limited at best.This opportunity, that theBoard has afforded me with,is very humbling to say theleast. I will endeavor to continueto absorb all of theknowledge I can and representour Industry to the bestof my ability. On a Nationallevel, Alberta continues tobe recognized as one of theleaders of the PotatoIndustry. The hard work anddedication of Deb Hart andyour previous ExecutiveDirectors, Vern Warkentinand Edzo Kok, is still veryevident at the national level.We are well respected andlooked upon to help providedirection in regards to majordecisions for the future ofour Industry. I look forwardto being able to representour Alberta Industry withthe help and assistance ofour ever-capable staff.Alberta was well- representedat the CHC AGM heldMarch 11 th to 15 th inOttawa. John Bareman, JanVermue, Tony Kirkland,Ernie Van Boom and GordVisser as well as staff DebHart and Wendy Arnoldattended the weeklongconference. Congratulationsto Ernie being elected to theCHC Executive as the PrairieRep, Tony elected as theCanadian Potato CouncilVice-Chairman and Gord asthe Seed Committee Vice-Chairman.Our Negotiating Committeecontinues to work diligentlyon our process contractswith the Processors withhopes of having pen topaper in the very nearfuture. We are veryfortunate to have therelationship with theProcessors that we do herein Alberta, as there are manyareas in North America thatrely on mediation every yearto reach their contract settlements.Both parties arefaced with ever-increasingcosts of production that putsa strain on the bottom linebut they have always beenable to negotiate a pricethat satisfies both sides.When one looks at thecalendar, there may besome in the South that areitching to get going in thefields but the early morningtemperatures that are still inthe -5° to -10°C range and12” or more of frost indicatethat it may be a few moreweeks before anything willbe happening. For those ofyou that are Red Deer andNorth, some bare groundwould be a welcome sight.Snow came in mid-Octoberand it has not yet left. Therewere areas in the Edmontonvicinity that received 15-18”of snow the 21 st of March togo with the 12” that wasalready there. MotherNature will let us get to thefield work when she getsback from her wintervacation in April or May.Terence HochsteinCHC CONFERENCERECAPGROWING FORWARD 2 3SEED NEWS UPDATE 3TECHNICAL DIRECTORCAREER OPPORTUNITYFROM THE OFFICE 4A GOOD CAUSE 5MEDITERRANEAN DIET 52013 Upcoming EventsApril 10-14th-Aggie Days StampedePark -CalgaryApril 23 & 24th- Aggie DaysExhibition Park- LethbridgeJuly 9th - APIA Burgers,Beans & Beer- Taber Legion Park July 10th- PGA GolfTournament,Paradise Canyon GolfResort, Lethbridge November 19, 20, & 21st2013 Alberta PotatoConference, DeerfootInn & Casino,Calgary , AB24

RESOLUTIONS AS ADOPTED AT THE AGMPERTAINING TO THE POTATO INDUSTRYOpposition to the Repeal of Standard Container SizesOpposition to Changes to the Seed Potato QualityManagement ProgramOpposition to Cost Recovery Fees for Potato CystNematode (PCN) TestingSupport of the National Marketing Task GroupThe Canadian Horticulture Council’s AGM washeld in Ottawa in mid-March. I was veryfortunate to take Terence’s place, as his girl’shigh school basketball team were hostingProvincials, and needed their coach!The week started with Canadian Potato Council (CPC)meetings which was a lead up to the week’s topics andresolutions. Prairie representatives from all of thehorticultural sectors held a caucus meeting to collaborateon issues, and select representatives for thevarious committees. The United Potato Growers ofCanada (UPGC) also met on Wednesday afternoon for anupdate session and election of officers.The CHC committee meetings started on Wednesday andran throughout the remainder of the week. These meetingsallowed for in depth discussion of the resolutionsbeing proposed, along with presentations from variousguest speakers. The attendees were also treated to twoWelcome Receptions, guest speakers during the lunchesand the Banquet on Thursday, all of course with a politicalaffiliation. The CHC’s overall goal is to get the good wordout about healthy eating, hence their slogan “CanadiansGrowing Healthy Together” was the theme throughoutthe week.So under Deb’s guidance, myself and the otherattendees made it through the week knowing whatmeetings we needed to attend next, and answer some ofthe questions we had from the discussions that justfinished! It truly was a meeting marathon, and aninformation blitz, but I have come back wiser, and nowknow the faces behind the names of the people we hearabout so often, who represent us on the national level.It was great to connect with the fellow Canadians whoattended this event, and be reminded of the great countrywe live in, so diverse, but all for the same cause. Iwant to thank the Staff & Board for this amazing opportunity!And a big hello to David Thompson, from theWorld Potato Congress, who l met in the lobby as I wasleaving, who told me twice how much he liked our PotatoMinute! Wendy Arnold ~ Financial/Communications Admin.Alberta Potato Voting Representatives (from the left)John Bareman ~Bareman Farms & PGA Board Vice-ChairmanTony Kirkland ~ Sandhills Seed Potatoes & newly elected Vice-Chair of the Canadian Potato CouncilGord Visser ~ Norbest Farms & Canadian Potato Council’s SeedCommittee Vice-ChairDeb Hart ~ PGA Seed Coordinator observes in the backgroundready to offer information when requested. Deb is also the PotatoRep on the Science Advisory Committee, which is part ofthe National Potato Committee.More Alberta Representatives(from the right)Jan Vermue ~ West Edmonton Seed Potatoes & PGA SeedCommittee ChairErnie Van Boom ~ Northbank Potato Farms and newly electedCanadian Horticulture Council Board Member as the PrairieRepresentative.The Alberta reps above are seen here talking to Mary KaySonier, Seed Coordinator from PEI Potatoes during a break inthe talks around seed quality management on day one of theCPC meetings.

www.agr.gc.ca/GrowingForward2Seed for SaleThe United Potato Growers ofCanada is offering to post listingsof seed available for sale. If you have extra seed for sale, andwish to have this listed, please send the details to me and I’llforward the information. (they have asked for allinformation to be sent to the provincial associations first).Deb Hart ~ Seed CoordinatiorRidgetown Collegedeb@albertapotatoes.caDue to CFIA budget cutbacks, the nationaltraining course for seed certificationheld at Ridgetown College, Ontario, hasbeen cancelled for 2013. There is noguarantee this program will be reinstated in the future. Thepotato industry is losing a very important tool for CFIA inspectors,as well as industry field staff.2013 Planting IntentionsDue to an overage of potatoes in North America, themessage being conveyed to all sectors of industry is to notoverplant potatoes in the spring of 2013. Overplantingresults in lower pricing, cancelled orders, and reducedcontracts. Please consider these points and plant toalternate crops if necessary.Minister Verlyn Olson on GrowingForward 2…“As the province’s largest renewableresource industry, agriculture holdstremendous potential,” said Minister Olson.“Through Growing Forward 2, we areproviding our producers and entrepreneurswith the tools they need to build their businessesand further diversify Alberta’seconomy.”Growing Forward 2 focuses on the futureprosperity of the sector, with a more than 50per cent increase in cost-shared investmentin strategic initiatives and programs tostrengthen the long-term sustainability andcompetitiveness of Canadianagriculture.For more information about GF2 visitwww.agr.gc.ca/GrowingForward2.Starting April 2, producers andothers involved in Alberta’s AgricultureIndustry can explore the programs anddetermine their eligibility atwww.growingforward.alberta.ca.Belinda Choban works at CDC North acrossthe hall from Deb, and is here to help youwith your questions about GF2.Contact her online atBelinda.choban@gov.ab.ca

Career Opportunity...Technical DirectorPotato ProductionThe Potato Growers of Alberta requires a TECHNICALDIRECTOR to provide Agricultural Support Services to ourGrower Members.The TECHNICAL DIRECTOR is responsible for managing avariety of Agricultural Support Programs which include; PotatoProduction Trials, Disease and Pest Detection Programs, OnFarm Food Safety, Environmental Farm Plan, AerialPhotography Program, IPM & Sustainability. The position isresponsible for directing the PGA Research Program and forcollaborating with Industry & Government in determining andselecting specific potato research projects. You will be thecontact person Growers ask for technical advice on a widevariety of issues such as: production practices, equipment,varieties, herbicides, insecticides, disease control, cropstaging, fertility, and storage. Half of the job is gathering andunderstanding the most current technical information in theindustry; the other half is making sure the PGA members areinformed.This position reports to the Executive Director.The ideal candidate would have the following credentials;2013 Scholarship Applications are on the PGA Website under the Growers Onlysection, “Services/Programs & Forms. Please complete and submit the downloaded form if you plan on applying forthe Scholarship this year. Ensure that if you are chosen to receive the $1000 scholarship that YOU follow up andsubmit the information requested in your “congratulations” letter from the PGA! We may only issue you the funds if youprovide the necessary proof of acceptance to a Post Secondary Institution and your successful completion of the firstsemester. No reminder letters will be sent, so please ensure that you follow up accordingly.2013 License Applications will be sent out in April for all Producers. The mail out willinclude your license information and the invoice for your fees. Please ensure that if there are any changes to youraddress, contact information or contact people, that you fill in this information and return it to our office by fax, mail oremail. License fees will remain at $50.00 FOR ALL LICENSES, which are due by June 30th! We ask that you to getyour license in place before you head in the fields. We are also sending out Packer/Dealer, Processor andGreenhouse/Laboratory Licenses. PGA Industry Associate licenses are now handled through the APIA, but thismembership still allows you access to our website, invites to our Area Meetings, and more! Payments can be made bycheque, credit card, debit and online payments accepted by ATB, TD Canada Trust, Scotia Bank, and starting thismonth RBC (on April 11th) and CIBC (on April 20th).Biosecurity Information package were sent out to all growers this past month. During the past twoyears, the Potato Sector Biosecurity Advisory Group ) PSBAG which is made up of members from CFIA, the CanadianPotato Council, Provincial Associations, and AAFC have been active at raising awareness of on-farm biosecurity. Weencourage you to read the material provided, review your existing biosecurity measures, and where applicable, adoptaddition measure to safeguard your farm unit against the introduction and spread of pests and disease, includingunwanted weeds. If you did not get your growers copy, please call the office at 403-223-2262.A plant science-related degree is preferred,A passion for learning and farm production extensionis required,Above-average interpersonal, written communication andverbal communication skills,Ability to access and gather technical agriculturalinformation is essential,Experience with potato production is an asset,Must be self-motivated and a team player.We will consider junior candidates who will grow into this positionor experienced intermediate-level candidates who will “hitthe-ground-running”.Compensation will be commensuratewith experience.Mail, fax or email your resume in confidence to:Potato Growers of Alberta6008 46 th Avenue, Taber, Alberta T1G 2B1From the Office...E-mail: terence@albertapotatoes.ca Fax: 403 223-2268For more information please call Terence Hochstein at403 223-2262, or on our website www.albertapotatoes.ca

GROWING HEALTHY & HAPPY TOGETHERT h e Me diter r a nean DietThe Mediterranean Diet emphasizes consumption ofseasonally fresh and locally-grown foods from plantsources, including fruits and vegetables, particularlypotatoes. Potatoes are at the top of the MediterraneanDiet food pyramid. A 1-cup serving of potatoesprovides you with over 26 percent of the dailyrecommended intake of vitamin C and serves as a richsource of vitamin B6, copper, potassium, manganese,tryptophan and dietary fiber, according to The GeorgeMateljan Foundation for the World's Healthiest Foodswebsite. Eating potatoes may play a role in loweringblood pressure, forming new cells in your body,maintaining brain cell and central nervous systemactivity, protecting your heart and boosting athleticperformance. Source: www.livestrong.comThe Perfect Carb ~ Before and After a RunRunners who fuel up on only noodles may be overlookinga carb source that's just as good, if not better: thepotato! Baked, mashed, or boiled, potatoes actuallyprovide more energy-delivering complex carbohydratesthan a cup of pasta. All varieties--russet, red, yellow,and purple-contain impressive quantities of vitaminsand minerals. Plus, they're easy to digest and prepare."People often assume that because potatoes are white,they're a nutritionally empty food," says Tara Gidus,R.D., a spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association."But the opposite is true." Potatoes are actuallythe most popular vegetable in North America, but sadlymore than 50 percent of those are fried--and eaten in excess, which accounts forthe bad rap. It doesn't have to be thisway. "A large baked potato is just aseffective as pasta at getting runnersready for a hard or long workout," saysGidus. "Runners can't go wrongw i t h p o t a t o e s . "Source: runnersworld.comJohn Buyks - Training for his firstMarathon at age 60!Sea to Sea is a bike tour to raise awarenessand funds in support of thoseliving in poverty around the world.Eighteen children die every minute, that’s one childevery three seconds or every fourth pedal strokes!I will start biking July 29th in Iowa City and will be bikingto New York. That is 1694 miles, or 2710 kms, and arrivein New York on August 24th. I need to raise $5000 byApril 30th for this bike tour to fight the cycle of poverty.Please consider donating onlinewww.seatosea.org/donate or by cheque toSea to Sea Bike Tour.There are no easy answers or quick fixes when it comesto addressing poverty, but with your prayers and help,we can make this world a better place.Elly Torsius - Torsius Tater Farms Ltd.Potato Growers of Alberta6008 46 Avenue Taber, ABT1G 2B1 Call 403-223-2262Fax: 223-2268 pga@albertapotatoes.caThe PGA assumes no responsibility for any errors in the information provided, nor assumes any liability forany damages incurred as a consequence, directly or indirectly, of the use and application of any of thecontents of The Potato Minute. Unless otherwise noted on an individual document, the PGA grants userspermission to reproduce and distribute information in the Potato Minute as long as the contents remainunaltered and as long as it is noted that the contents have been made available by the PGA.