05/30/05 Trade adjustment assistance signups

Idaho potato growers are eligible for several types of assistance because their income was severely impacted by Canadian French fry imports. Under TAA, the Trade Adjustment Assistance program growers can get cash benefits. ESPLIN "Available up to ten thousand dollars. It will depend on the individual's amount of commodity he had and what not." Keith Esplin of the Potato Growers of Idaho says growers need technical assistance before can get cash payments. ESPLIN "PGI will work with the risk management agency and with extension service on doing that. We'll develop a package of materials that will explain where our markets are today, what growers need to do to be more profitable or things they can go to change their operations to be more competitive with the foreign imports." There's a third component and it's geared to producers who want something different. ESPLIN "If growers have decided to get out of the industry and do something else there's two years of education benefit available." Idaho potato growers can apply for TAA benefits through their local FSA office until June 27th and they have to complete the technical training by September 26th. Voice of Idaho Agriculture Bill Scott