Potatoes are highly sensitive to even moderate environmental changes. During Potato Expo 2026, we sat down with Andrew Pritchard, Senior Atmospheric Scientist at Nutrien, who identified the "best and worst" weather patterns for potato health. The conversation focuses on practical resilience strategies, including soil performance tracking and storage management, to help producers remain profitable despite erratic rainfall and shifting pest pressures. 

The 2025 Leadership Institute added a new layer of innovation with the introduction of capstone projects, requiring participants to identify and solve critical issues facing the U.S. potato industry. 

On this episode of Eye on Potatoes, we sit down with Michael Rainis of Friehe Farms, Mike Murphy of Childstock Farms, and Matthew McKenna of County Farms—the trio behind "SPUD Team Six." Fresh off their presentation on the main stage at Potato Expo 2026, these emerging leaders share their capstone project plan to double the participation rate of Leadership Institute graduates in state and national organizations within one year of completing the program. 

We discuss their personal highlights from the 10-day training—which took them from the fields of Wisconsin to the halls of Capitol Hill—and explore how the capstone process enhanced their teamwork and leadership skills. 

National Potato Council CEO Kam Quarles and Spudman Managing Editor Melinda Waldrop join the Eye on Potatoes Podcast to break down the inaugural 2026 Spud Sector Survey. This first-of-its-kind report moves past headlines to reveal the economic heartbeat of America’s potato growers. 

Discover how NPC uses this "hard data ammunition" to advocate for our family farms in Washington, D.C. The group discusses the striking "optimism gap," where growers feel confident in their own operations but fear for the broader industry’s future. From the 82.9% of growers facing inflationary disruptions to the "essential bridge" of federal emergency aid, this episode provides a strategic roadmap for the ongoing efforts to Stand Up for Potatoes on Capitol Hill.

Download the Spud Sector Survey here: spudman.com/spudsector.  

In this special live recording from the Expo Stage at Potato Expo 2026, host Lane Nordlund sits down with Kam Quarles, CEO of the National Potato Council (NPC), and Randy Russell, President and CEO of The Russell Group. One year into the current administration, the discussion tackles the current policy landscape and its impact on NPC's mission of "Standing Up for Potatoes on Capitol Hill."

The conversation explores how the "Make America Healthy Again" (MAHA) movement and the DOGE commission have shifted the food policy landscape far faster than typical federal cycles. Looking toward the 2026 midterm elections, the panel analyzes the narrow legislative window for passing a new five-year Farm Bill, as the 2018 bill remains under a one-year extension through September 2026. The group also addresses the ongoing economic crisis in farm country, highlighting the NPC’s role in fighting for additional economic relief for specialty crop producers to offset rising input costs and market disruptions.

In this recording from Potato Expo 2026 in Dallas, National Potato Council CEO Kam Quarles and Matt Lantz of Bryant Christie Inc. dive into the high-stakes world of international potato trade. The group discusses the industry’s formal request for a Section 332 fact-finding investigation to address concerns regarding British Columbia’s efforts over 40 years to limit exports of potatoes to that province, along with concerns over other Canadian policies that may unfairly distort trade. They also explore how the industry is using trade leverage to decrease friction and expand the global footprint of U.S. potatoes in Asia, Mexico, and around the world. 

Recorded live at Potato Expo 2026 in Dallas, Texas.

Host Lane Nordlund sits down with some of the nation's leading agriculture advocates to examine the state of agricultural labor in the U.S. and discuss the pressing need for a stable and secure workforce.

The panel explores efforts by the Agriculture Workforce Coalition to drive legislative and regulatory reforms. They address the complex intersection of border security, legal status for the existing workforce, and necessary updates to the H-2A guest worker program. The group also outlines current regulatory hurdles and how potato growers can engage with lawmakers in Washington, D.C., to amplify the industry’s voice.

Guests:

• Jonathan Sarager, Senior Federal Government Affairs Director, Western Growers  
• John Walt Boatright, Director, Government Affairs, American Farm Bureau Federation 
• Mike Wenkel, COO, National Potato Council 

This morning, the Trump Administration released the new Dietary Guidelines for Americans, marking a significant development for U.S. potato growers. In this episode of the Eye on Potatoes podcast, National Potato Council CEO Kam Quarles and Beth Johnson of Food Directions break down the release and what it means for the industry.

They discuss the encouraging new consumer graphic that features a whole, fresh potato front and center, identifying it as a nutrient-rich vegetable that Americans should eat in greater volumes. They also analyze how specific recommendations regarding processed potato products integrate with this broader guidance.

Tune in to hear how these new guidelines represent a major shift from the federal policy challenges of the past—specifically the efforts to remove potatoes from school meal programs during the Obama Administration—to today's recognition of America's favorite vegetable.

Get ready to head to the heart of Texas for the potato industry’s premier event! In this episode, NPC CEO Kam Quarles and Vice President of Industry Relations & Events Hollee Alexander sit down to preview Potato Expo 2026, taking place Jan. 6-8, 2026, at the Gaylord Texan in Dallas.

As the largest conference and trade show for the potato industry, Potato Expo 2026 offers a can’t-miss opportunity to reunite with the potato community, spark new ideas, and shape the future of the industry. Kam and Hollee discuss what attendees can expect from their trip to Dallas, from unparalleled networking with growers and suppliers to the latest innovations on the trade show floor.

Learn more at potato-expo.com. 

On Monday, Dec. 8, the Trump Administration announced a new economic aid package for U.S. farmers that provided little meaningful relief for specialty crop growers. In this D.C. update, NPC CEO Kam Quarles joins us to discuss the Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance's (SCFBA) reaction to the disappointing news.

Quarles explains why the package's primary focus on crop producers impacted by tariffs ignores the full scope of the economic crisis facing growers of potatoes, fruits, vegetables, and other specialty crops. He shares the SCFBA's stance on the package and urges the Administration and Congress to move beyond this limited proposal by taking swift action to advance a much larger, meaningful assistance package for all impacted farmers. 

With the federal government back up and running, NPC CEO Kam Quarles and COO Mike Wenkel called into the Eye on Potatoes podcast this week to discuss the National Potato Council's top priorities for the next two months and provide updates on key labor and environmental regulatory efforts. 

Join us as we take a deep dive into: Congressional priorities now that the government is reopened; key recommendations of the Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance for the new Farm Bill; the outlook and critical deadlines for emergency relief programs for growers; and top legislative and appropriations priorities, including securing funding for research and market development.

Mike will also provide updates on the regulatory environment, covering: the potential impacts of the Department of Labor's new two-level wage structure for the H-2A program; and the benefits of the new EPA WOTUS proposal, specifically the clarity on excluding certain ditches.