Eye on Potatoes: A Podcast on All Things Potatoes

Hosted by Eye on Potatoes

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Episodes

134

Latest episode

Jun 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

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

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.

March 5, 202634 min

Bridging the Optimism Gap: Insights from the Spud Sector Survey

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.

February 17, 202638 min

LIVE from Potato Expo 2026: Views from the Nation’s Capital

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.

February 6, 202612 min

Navigating U.S. Potato Trade Opportunities in 2026

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.

January 22, 202624 min

Advocating for a Stable and Secure Farm Workforce

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