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12:50 pm-1:20 pm: Spudding Innovation: The State of AI for the Potato Industry
The presentation provides an overview of the history and evolution of artificial intelligence (AI), from its conception in the mid-20th century to the present day. It highlights key developments like machine learning, deep learning, big data, and open-source frameworks that have enabled the rapid advancement of AI over the past decade. The presentation outlines different approaches to AI like symbolic vs. connectionist AI, as well as defining key terminology like machine learning, deep learning, and AI. It provides examples of major AI application areas including computer vision, natural language processing, predictive analytics, generative AI, and diffusion models. When discussing the future of AI, the presentation emphasizes the pace of advancement across industries and the imperative for companies to develop an AI strategy. It notes that corporate winners and losers will be defined by how effectively they leverage AI, and leaders have a responsibility to ensure ethical and responsible use. The presentation stresses the importance of developing core capabilities in areas like data, platform/tools, operationalization, governance, innovation, lifecycle management, organization, and ecosystem. It refers to a maturity model that assesses companies across these dimensions, from "Foundational" to "Leading."
Ron Green, Co-founder and Chief Technology Officer, KUNGFU.AI
Benjamin Herndon, Ph.D., Chief Strategy Officer, KUNGFU.AI
1:00 pm-1:30 pm: Grower-Driven Improvements in Seed to Enhance End-Consumer Experience
Hear the experiences from a twelve-state project intended to help the industry create, build, and benefit from a member-developed dormant tuber testing system. Utilizing “Mail Away PVY Test Kits,” volunteers from the U.S. seed potato supply chain provided seed and tuber handling labor while USDA-ARS and APHIS funded supplies and downstream laboratory services. These efforts combined to inform the development of new quality assurance tools for seed intended to provide the greatest value in end-use products for consumers. Join the discussion on Vision 2026 seed certification toward a grower-driven development model for the industry to reshape the future with dormant tuber testing.
Jason Ingram, Lab Manager, USDA-ARS/Cornell University
Don Sklarczyk, Chair, Vision 2026 Seed Certification
1:30 pm-2:00 pm: Digital Transformation in Potatoes: A How-To Guide
Get ready for a showcase of digital progress and advancements within the potato industry. Join expert consultant Kay Harmon of AgCheck Compliance Services and Roger Mix of Mix Farms as they take an in-depth look at how top growers and packers in Colorado and beyond are harnessing the power of innovative platforms like Provision to optimize daily operations. From seamless task management to intelligent smart forms and tailor-made analytics, attendees will gain insights into how the potato industry can work smarter, not harder, for food safety compliance through digital tools.
Real-world case studies will highlight how growers, packers, and other stakeholders are leveraging these tools to streamline processes and reduce paperwork. Witness the evolution of the industry towards data-driven decision-making and efficiency in the future of agriculture.
Moderator: Amy Wayne, Food Safety Content Manager, Provision Analytics
Panelists: Kay Harmon, Owner, AgCheck Compliance ServicesRoger Mix, Owner, Mix Farms
1:40 pm-2:00 pm: Creating a Culture of Strengths-based Leadership
People often focus on becoming competent in their areas of weakness, but despite all their efforts they never become exceptional. In a strength-based culture people instead invest in improving their areas of talent, allowing them to excel in their career and life.
Participants will be introduced to the principles of a strengths-based culture and provided with tools to identify their talents and ways to perform at their best.
Mike Wenkel, Vice President, Potato LEAF
2:00 pm-2:50 pm: Potatoes Gone Viral! Reaching the TikTok Generation
Crispy Parmesan Potatoes. Smashed Potatoes. Fondant Potatoes. What do all these dishes have in common? They’ve all gone viral on TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram, reaching hundreds of millions of consumers across the globe.
If you’re not Generation Z, you probably need help making sense of it all. We know we do! That’s why NPC is pleased to announce the return of digital, marketing, and strategy expert Steve Lerch, who will join us at Potato Expo 2024 to talk about the importance of creating digital content and the power of social media and viral videos to keep potatoes top of mind for all consumers.
We'll learn how every member of the potato supply chain – from farmers to public policy advocates – can and should play a role in telling the story of potatoes. Chef RJ Harvey, Culinary Director of Potatoes USA, and Chef Jason Morse, national spokesperson for Ace Hardware, will join Steve on the Expo Stage to share their personal experiences as chefs, content creators, and fans of all things potato.
Steve Lerch, President, Story Arc Consulting
Chef RJ Harvey, RDN, CEC, Culinary Director, Potatoes USA
Chef Jason Morse, CEC, National Spokesperson, Grilling Expert, Ace Hardware
2:10 pm-2:40 pm: FieldView and Greentronics Platform Provides Live Spatial Mapping of Potato Yields
Climate FieldView, Bayer’s industry-leading farm data management and analysis platform that covers more than 200 million acres, released new functionality in 2023 that allows potato growers to use FieldView in conjunction with the Greentronics RiteYield system, to produce spatial yield maps live in the field from any potato digger. Maps are captured and displayed on an iPad in the cab and multiple diggers stitch data together in real time so complete yield maps are available to review the minute a field is finished. This new technology solution allows farmers to start evaluating the results of seed, fertility, or crop protection trials as harvest progresses rather than waiting for weeks or months after harvest is complete to gather, process and view data in a usable format.
Jeff Hamlin, US TCC Enablement, Bayer Crop Science
2:10 pm-2:40 pm: Enhancing IPM for U.S. Potato Production Systems
Neonicotinoid insecticides have been the most common management tool for insect infestations in cultivated potato for over 25 years. The relative ease of applying neonicotinoids at planting coupled with inexpensive, generic neonicotinoid formulations has reduced the incentive for potato growers to transition from these products to other modes of action groups for full-season insect control. Continuous use of neonicotinoids has resulted in resistant populations, nontarget effects, and environmental contamination in several production areas of the United States. Continued reliance on neonicotinoids will accelerate the severity of these issues, and novel approaches are warranted to increase the sustainability of the industry. These increasing concerns have elevated the importance of proactive pest management programs that integrate non-neonicotinoid insecticides. Through this project, we will gain an understanding of how transitioning to a more sustainable agricultural system can improve socioeconomic factors for potato.
Moderator: Zsofia Szendrei, Ph.D., Professor, Michigan State University
Panelists: David Crowder, Ph.D., Professor of Entomology, Washington State UniversityPaul Mitchell, Ph.D., Professor of Agricultural Economics, University of Wisconsin-Madison and Extension
2:50 pm-3:20 pm: The Amazing Capabilities of AI for Food Sorting and FM Detection
AI has a remarkable capacity to learn and make decisions. This capability extends to AI's ability to make precise judgments about the quality of potatoes. AI can also detect foreign materials in chip potatoes that might otherwise be included in the food supply, such as golf balls, walnuts, rocks, and other materials.
This presentation will include many illustrative examples. It will also discuss AI’s current throughput capacities and what lies on the horizon for AI robots, roller tables, automated dockside, and fieldside quality inspections.
Moderator: Chris Bryant, President, Smart Vision Works
Panelists: Kirt Lillywhite, Ph.D., VP of Technology, Smart Vision WorksCurtis Koelling, VP of Product Development and Innovation, Smart Vision Works
2:50 pm-3:20 pm: Mexico – Two Years After Access
After over 20 years and numerous legal challenges, the Mexican market was opened to U.S. fresh potatoes in 2022. Nearly two years later, NPC, Potatoes USA and the industry’s top trade consultants at Bryant Christie, Inc. will assess where things are, how far they need to go, and the challenges in realizing the potential of this valuable export market.
Kim Breshears, Chief Marketing Officer, Potatoes USA
Matt Lantz, Vice President, Global Access, Bryant Christie, Inc.
Kam Quarles, CEO, National Potato Council
3:00 pm-3:20 pm: Potato Market and Sustainability Update with Rabo AgriFinance
Rabo AgriFinance will host a discussion on the potato market and sustainability topics that will impact the industry with members of its RaboResearch Food & Agri and Sustainability teams. The discussion will include recent sustainability trends and policy changes as well as Rabo AgriFinance’s current sustainability activities. RaboResearch will discuss opportunities and challenges impacting potato supply and demand for the next marketing year. Together they will discuss how sustainability and other trends will impact the potato markets longer-term.
Moderator: Carollann Romo, Sr. Marketing Manager, Rabo AgriFinance
Panelists: Ryan Findlay, Head of Sustainable Food & Agriculture, Rabo AgriFinanceDavid Magana, Sr. Rabo Research Analyst, Rabo AgriFinanceSharon Loos, Senior Relationship Manager, Rabo AgriFinance
3:30 pm-3:50 pm: PAA Poster Session: Key Highlights
Research from members of the Potato Association of America benefits the potato industry. The PAA has a long history of providing solutions for the industry and connections where collaboration to solve problems starts. An overview of the PAA and how it works with industry will be given. Highlights from two of the posters will be shared. There are 18 posters in all where you can get a glimpse into current cutting-edge research and meet with the researchers face to face during the following poster session from 5-6 pm.
Jonathan Whitworth, Ph.D., Research Plant Pathologist, USDA-ARS
3:30 pm-3:50 pm: Potato Roundtable with the Winners of the Spudman's Impact Award
Spudman’s Impact Awards honor individuals from all segments of the potato industry who make impactful contributions and demonstrate involvement, innovation and commitment. Join members of this year’s class of honorees as they discuss issues facing the country’s potato business and sharing their thoughts about the future of the industry — from labor to processing, regulations to tech — and everything in between. Moderated by Spudman’s editorial team, this session will feature an interview-style roundtable, presenting attendees with a variety of opinions, ideas and perspectives, as well as inspiration heading into 2024.
Moderator: Melinda Waldrop, Managing Editor, Spudman
Spudman Impact Winners: Russell Groves, Professor and Department Chairperson, University of Wisconsin - MadisonNora Olsen, Professor and Extension Specialist, University of Idaho
3:30 pm-4:00 pm: Japan — Confronting Politics — Overcoming More Than 20 Years of Delays
The U.S. industry is squarely focused on expanding export opportunities for American growers. Though Japan is one of our largest trading partners for processed products and chipping potatoes, it remains closed to U.S. fresh table stock exports. Kam Quarles and Matt Lantz will give an overview of the political challenges in opening this market and the potential for U.S. growers once we are successful.
Matt Lantz, Vice President, Global Access, Bryant Christie, Inc.Kam Quarles, CEO, National Potato Council
4:00 pm-4:20 pm: Culinary Medicine May Be the Secret to Lowering Healthcare Costs
Can food be the secret to cutting healthcare costs? The “Food as Medicine” movement thinks so, aiming to educate front-line healthcare providers with nutrition education and resources to improve patients’ diets and health outcomes. Learn about the overall “Food as Medicine” movement and how one avenue, Culinary Medicine, educates physicians, nurses, and other providers on how to talk about food and cooking with patients so they can put healthy living advice into practice quickly and simply.
Leah Sarris, MBA, RD, LDN, Director of Culinary Marketing & Education, Wild Hive
4:00 pm-4:30 pm: How Technology is Changing Field Management Decisions
Technology is changing agriculture in many ways. This includes the equipment and practices used in providing nutrients and protecting the potato crop from pests. In this session, we will explore how growers are using drones, cameras, and other technologies to reduce inputs and create new efficiencies in potato production.
Moderator: Grant Morris, Partner, Schneider Farms-Pasco LLC
Panelists: Dick Muhlbeier, General Manager of Precision Ag Technology, RDO Equipment Co.Seth Robinson, Farm Manager, Walther Farms
4:10 PM-4:30 pm: Rainmaker.Earth Corp.'s Game-Changing Water Technology for Regenerative Agriculture
Rainmaker.Earth Corp. is the worldwide distributor for transformative water technology that has proven to decrease water use (approximately 30%), decrease total cost of irrigation and increase yields. With 15 years of track record and over 4,000 systems in use, we are bringing this game-changing technology to the world.
Rainmaker's advanced oxidation process restructures irrigation water, with highly energized oxygen molecules similar to rainwater. This restructuring not only breaks down contaminants, such as chlorides, but also ensures a clean, disease-free, and highly efficient irrigation system.
The outstanding results The Rainmaker is getting are in our enhanced oxidation process, which creates restructured water that relieves soil compaction, increases permeability and water holding capacity. The result is an aerobic soil environment. The soil is friable and permeable allowing water to soak in immediately rather than puddle and evaporate. The aerobic environment facilitates ‘good’ bacteria and fungus, enabling farmers to quickly implement regenerative farming practices in addition to the benefits it brings to traditional irrigated farming practices.
Riaan Kirsten, Founder and Chief Technical Officer, Rainmaker.Earth
4:30 pm-5:00 pm: How Frito-Lay Works with Farmers: A Conversation with Laura Maxwell and Ashin Parikh
Moderator: Kam Quarles, CEO, National Potato Council
Laura Maxwell, Senior Vice President of Supply Chain, PepsiCo Foods North AmericaAshin Parikh, Senior Vice President and Market Supply Officer, PepsiCo Foods North America Sourcing & Procurement