Eye on Potatoes: A Podcast on All Things Potatoes

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.

Eye on Potatoes: A Podcast on All Things Potatoes is a business podcast hosted by Eye on Potatoes, with 138 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Eye on Potatoes hosts Eye on Potatoes: A Podcast on All Things Potatoes, a business show with 138 episodes published.

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  Eye on Potatoes: A Podcast on All Things Potatoes

  D.C. Update: Farm Bill Stalls in Committee

  Aug 12, 202620 min

  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.

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  Eye on Potatoes: A Podcast on All Things Potatoes

  Farm and Policy Update with Dean Gibson

  Jul 31, 202631 min

  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.

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  Eye on Potatoes: A Podcast on All Things Potatoes

  D.C. Update: Congress Sprints to the August Recess

  Jul 16, 202622 min

  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.

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  Eye on Potatoes: A Podcast on All Things Potatoes

  How the Securing Agriculture's Workforce Act Protects the Potato Supply Chain

  Jun 22, 202626 min

  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.

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  Eye on Potatoes: A Podcast on All Things Potatoes

  Motor City Spuds: Previewing the 2026 NPC Summer Meeting in Detroit

  Jun 5, 202622 min

  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.

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