POTATO DAY BACK IN THE CAPITOL FOR 2026

Washington potato growers will return to Olympia on February 2, 2026, for Potato Day, an annual opportunity to connect directly with legislators, legislative staff, and state agencies during the heart of the legislative session. The Capitol campus will once again be filled with the smell of baked potatoes as growers and Washington State Potato Commission (WSPC) staff serve up Washington-grown potatoes with all the fixings.

Each year, growers from across the state make the trip to Olympia to share the bounty of their harvest and talk openly about what it takes to produce a safe, nutritious, and affordable food potato in Washington. Potato Day gives lawmakers a chance to hear directly from the people working in the fields, storage facilities, and packing sheds who are affected by the policies debated inside the Capitol.

Throughout the day, growers will share their perspectives on key issues facing agriculture during the 2026 legislative session. Conversations will focus on protecting food security, advancing a “do no harm” approach to policymaking, and ensuring state climate policies recognize the unique role agriculture plays in feeding Washington. WSPC will also be discussing the need to exclude lubricants and special agricultural fuels from the Climate Commitment Act, establish an HFC transition fund to support responsible equipment upgrades, and address broader priorities impacting grower viability.

In the evening, WSPC will co-host a reception with our partners at the Washington Potato and Onion Association. The event will bring together legislators, staff, growers, and industry partners for an informal setting to continue conversations, build relationships, and strengthen agriculture’s voice in Olympia.

Potato Day remains one of the most meaningful ways Washington potato growers can engage with policymakers. By sharing a meal and real-life experiences, growers help ensure that decisions made in Olympia reflect the realities of farming and the importance of keeping Washington agriculture strong for generations to come.