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.
Listen to episodes
60 recent
August 12, 202619 min
D.C. Update: Farm Bill Stalls in Committee
National Potato Council CEO and Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance Co-Chair Kam Quarles joined the podcast to provide an update on the Senate Agriculture Committee’s recent 10-11 vote on the Agriculture Act of 2026 -- also known as the Farm Bill. Disagreements over the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program stalled the bill's progress, pushing negotiations until after the Senate returns from a month-long Labor Day recess. Quarles explains why this pause offers lawmakers a crucial window to draft bipartisan solutions rather than shutting down the process for the year.
July 31, 202631 min
Farm and Policy Update with Dean Gibson
This week, host Lane Nordlund sits down with National Potato Council Vice President of Legislative Affairs Dean Gibson and NPC CEO Kam Quarles to analyze pressing issues facing U.S. potato growers as July 2026 comes to a close. The group reviews current growing conditions in Idaho and across the West, examining how hot summer weather, wildfire smoke, and tightening water supplies impact local operations. Kam and Dean recap the successful NPC Summer Meeting in Detroit, held jointly with Potatoes USA, and outline critical policy discussions underway in Washington, D.C. The conversation covers key federal topics, including the upcoming Senate Farm Bill markup, specialty crop economic relief, USMCA trade protections, and agricultural labor reform. Key Highlights:2026 Crop and Harvest Outlook: Dean shares updates on western growing conditions, regional water scarcity, and the start of the 2026 crop harvest. Detroit Summer Meeting Recap: They reflect on strong industry turnout, collaboration with Potatoes USA, and key business discussions in Motor City. Senate Farm Bill Developments: Kam analyzes the path forward for a bipartisan Farm Bill, contrasting agricultural production spending with federal nutrition programs. Specialty Crop Relief: The panel addresses rising input costs, depressed commodity returns, and the ongoing push for targeted federal disaster and economic assistance. Trade and Labor Priorities: Kam and Dean discuss the upcoming review of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) and advocate for practical labor solutions for farm operations and packing sheds.
July 16, 202621 min
D.C. Update: Congress Sprints to the August Recess
This week, host Lane Nordlund sat down with National Potato Council CEO Kam Quarles to talk about the high-stakes policy issues facing potato growers before Congress takes its August recess. Quarles breaks down the ongoing negotiations over specialty crop grower aid, the push to pass a new Farm Bill by the end of 2026, and the newly introduced Securing Agriculture's Workforce Act. He also shares details from a recent White House dinner with President Donald Trump and previews the upcoming National Potato Council Summer Meeting in Detroit.
June 22, 202626 min
How the Securing Agriculture's Workforce Act Protects the Potato Supply Chain
House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn "GT" Thompson (R-Pa.) has announced his intention to introduce the Securing Agriculture's Workforce Act on June 30. The legislation directly addresses ongoing agricultural labor challenges through three main pillars: expanding access, controlling costs, and streamlining operations.In this episode, we explore how this legislation addresses the agricultural labor crisis by reforming the H-2A visa program. Mike Wenkel, Chief Operating Officer of the National Potato Council, breaks down the bill's three main pillars: expanding labor access, controlling Adverse Effect Wage Rate costs and streamlining federal regulations. Brett Jensen, NPC Vice President of Trade Affairs and owner of Brett Jensen Farms in Idaho Falls, Idaho, joins the conversation to share his firsthand experience running an operation that has relied on H-2A workers for 25 years.
June 5, 202622 min
Motor City Spuds: Previewing the 2026 NPC Summer Meeting in Detroit
The National Potato Council Summer Meeting heads to Detroit this July, and organizers have planned an incredible lineup of activities, sessions, and networking events to showcase the Motor City. Host Lane Nordlund welcomes NPC's 2026 President Ben Sklarczyk, a seed potato grower from Johannesburg, Michigan, and Kelly Turner, Executive Director of the Michigan Potato Industry Commission, to provide a Summer Meeting preview and talk about the history and impact of the Michigan potato industry.Ben shares the history of his family farm and explains how his background as a seed producer shapes his vision for protecting family-owned operations nationwide. He discusses his key priorities for his presidency and offers advice on how individual producers can connect with state and federal representatives to amplify the industry's voice in Washington, D.C. Kelly previews the unique activities, tours, and off-site events awaiting Summer Meeting attendees in Michigan and highlights the massive economic footprint of the state's agriculture industry.
May 15, 202616 min
Potatoes USA: What’s Cooking in Foodservice Innovation
During Potato Expo 2026, we were joined by the dynamic duo leading that charge at Potatoes USA: Culinary Director Chef RJ Harvey and Executive Sous Chef Aurora Hollenbeck. These two experts are redefining the potato's role in the culinary world through their unique perspectives as registered dietitians and scientists.Join us as we look inside the day-to-day operations of Potato USA's Spud Lab and how it provides practical solutions for major foodservice operators, as well as how Potatoes USA is working to promote potatoes as a profitable and exciting menu fixture in high-volume chain restaurants.
April 30, 202622 min
A United Potato Front: The 2026 CEO Roundtable
Recorded live at Potato Expo 2026 in Dallas, this special episode brings together the top leadership of the U.S. potato industry. National Potato Council CEO Kam Quarles, Potatoes USA CEO Blair Richardson, and United Potato Growers of America President and CEO Mark Klompein join host Lane Nordlund to discuss the power of organizational alignment.The three leaders reflect on a volatile 2025 marked by the establishment of the "Make America Healthy Again" commission, looming tariff threats, and shifting global trade dynamics. The roundtable explores how United’s economic intelligence, Potatoes USA’s marketing and research, and NPC’s legislative advocacy work in tandem to protect grower interests. From fighting for the potato's reputation in the 2025 Dietary Guidelines to expanding fresh market access in Mexico and Japan, these CEOs outline the strategy for industry stability and growth in 2026 and beyond.
April 17, 202620 min
Leadership In the Field: Leadership Lessons from the Battlefield
During Potato Expo 2026, we explored leadership through the lens of one of American history's most pivotal moments: the Battle of Gettysburg. National Potato Council COO Mike Wenkel and retired Marine Corps Colonel Rob Abbott, a licensed battlefield guide and leadership expert, joined the Eye on Potatoes podcast to discuss the Potato LEAF "Leadership in the Field" program.Colonel Abbott shares how the triumphs and failures of Civil War commanders offer vital lessons for modern potato operations. The conversation dives into critical topics, including leadership succession and managing mental health challenges like PTSD—drawing parallels between the rigors of the battlefield and the high-stakes environment of production agriculture. Tune in to learn how historical strategy can help you prepare your team for the future.
March 31, 202616 min
Wetter, Warmer, Wilder: How Weather Patterns Reshape Potato Farming
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.
March 19, 202626 min
Spud Team Six: Capstone Solutions for Industry Engagement
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.
Is this your show?
Claim this listing to keep it up to date, reach guests who want to pitch you, and manage bookings with Guestify.
