NOMINATIONS OPEN FOR 2026 POTATOES USA BOARD MEMBERS

Potatoes USA is pleased to announce that nominations are now open for its 2026 board members. A total of 49 board seats are available, including three-year and two-year terms. All terms will begin in March 2026.  The Potatoes USA board is currently seeking qualified nominees to succeed outgoing members in the following states for three-year terms ending February 28, 2029: Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho (5 seats), Indiana, Maine, Michigan (2), Minnesota, North Dakota, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Washington (5), and Wisconsin (2).

Additionally, nominations are being accepted to fill positions in the following states for two-year terms ending February 29, 2028: Idaho, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Washington, West Virginia, and Wyoming.  Potatoes USA is the nation’s potato research and promotion organization and the central organizing force in implementing programs to strengthen demand for U.S. potatoes. It provides the industry with ideas, information, tools, and inspiration to achieve common goals.  In the next few weeks, all state potato organizations will receive the information and materials to begin the process of seeking and nominating interested growers. The nominating process will be completed by August 15, 2025. Appointed growers will be seated on the board at the 2026 Spring Meeting in Denver, March 10-12, 2026.

Board Member Guidelines

It is in the best interest of both potato production regions and Potatoes USA to recruit board members who take an active interest in participating on the board. A board member should act as a bridge between their production region and the board, clearly communicating regional interests to the board and relaying the board’s initiatives and messages back to their local farming community. A nominee for Potatoes USA should be willing to:

• Attend board meetings for the entirety of their term, including:

• Spring Meeting: Held in Denver, Colorado, the second week in March.
• Summer Meeting: Held in early August. The location changes annually.
• Winter Meeting: Held alongside the Potato Expo, typically the first or second week in January. The location changes annually.

• Be active in the potato-farming community.
• Be actively involved in community initiatives, local government, or cultural or business affairs, demonstrating leadership within the community.
• Be willing to represent and communicate with his/her constituents on a regular basis.
• Take the time to support Potatoes USA programs in his/her area.
• Speak to grower groups, newspaper reporters, and interested parties about Potatoes USA programs, relating the value of the board to all growers, how the 3-cent per hundredweight assessment is invested, and ask for input from those interested in becoming active in the promotion of potatoes.

Washington State has 6 seats to fill for 2026. If you are interested in being considered to fill an open spot representing Washington, please contact WSPC’s Marketing and Industry Affairs Director Brandy Tucker at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 509-765-8845. The nominating process will be completed by August 15, 2025.

Diversity Statement

The Department of Agriculture’s programs are open to all individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, or marital status, and it is Potatoes USA’s policy that membership on the Board and its committees reflect the diversity of individuals served by its programs. It is therefore the Board’s policy to have the representation of producers from diverse backgrounds on its board and strongly encourages women, younger growers, minorities, and persons with disabilities to seek nominations to the Board and to participate in the Board’s activities.