01/28/05 Lawmakers recognized at Potato Day

01/28/05 Lawmakers recognized at Potato Day

Farm and Ranch January 28, 2005 Members of the Washington State Potato Commission, the Washington Potato & Onion Association, and other industry representatives celebrated the annual Potato Day during a visit to Olympia earlier this week. In addition to serving nearly two-thousand baked potatoes to lawmakers, staff and visitors, the Washington Potato & Onion Association also held its annual awards dinner to recognize members of both caucuses in the state Senate and House for their outstanding leadership on significant agricultural issues. Senator Mary Margaret Haugen of Camano Island was recognized for helping to keep the Department of Fish and Wildlife from removing the tide gates which keep salt water from entering fresh water canals and agricultural fields in the Skagit Valley. Senator Joyce Mulliken of Ephrata was honored for being the prime sponsor of the Produce Rail Car Bill, which passed into law during the 2003 session. Representative Cary Condotta of Wenatchee expressed his pleasure with his "first award,." which was for support of a bill that added agency accountability concerning a regulation requiring farm worker testing for depressed cholinesterase levels. Representative Dave Quall of Mt. Vernon was recognized for his support of agriculture's transportation needs and the tide gate issue. An award of appreciation was also given to Meg Van Schoorl, formerly of the state Department of Agriculture and now with the House committee that covers agriculture, for her work with the Potato Commission on market access issues and for help obtaining grants for chip seminars in Asia. That's the Northwest Farm and Ranch Report. Brought to you in part by the Washington State Potato Commission. Nutrition today. Good health tomorrow. I'm Bob Hoff on the Northwest Ag Information Network.
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