November/December 2021 - 8

TAKING STOCK
EDITOR'S LETTER
Office 616-887-9008
Editorial
It's showtime (again)
Here we are. Near the end of 2021. What a couple of years it
has been. Even though this year was probably closer to normal,
meaning pre-pandemic, than 2020 was, it was hardly business as
usual.
Zeke Jennings
Editor
In spite of the summer COVID spike and
uncertainty as to when we can throw those
masks away for good, people are starting
to meet face-to-face again. Recently, the
executive committee of the National Potato
Council (NPC) gathered for the first time since
February 2020 at the D.C. Potato Fly-In. That
seems like a lifetime ago.
Speaking of the NPC, in early January 2022, the U.S. potato
industry's signature event - Potato Expo - is slated to be back
in person at the Anaheim Convention Center. (It's basically right
across the street from Disneyland, if by chance you want to bring
the kiddos.)
Even as I write this column, the event is two months away, which
leaves time for things to change. However, as of now, California
mandates state that attendees will need to wear a mask. You'd
better make the best of it and start scouting for a potato-themed
mask now.
In a switch from their previous setup, the NPC is moving it's
Annual Meeting, which has traditionally been at the site of Potato
Expo the day following the event, and rolled it in with the D.C. FlyIn
in Washington, D.C. The new combo event will be known as the
Washington Summit. It is set for Feb. 28 through March 3 in the
nation's capital.
Following Potato Expo in early January, normally scheduled
regional winter shows are on tap in Idaho (the Idaho Potato
Conference in Pocatello) and the Washington-Oregon Show in
Kennewick, are set to resume in-person activities, as are regional
shows in Michigan, Wisconsin and North Dakota in February.
There will still be reminders of the pandemic - like masks, hand
sanitizer and social distancing - at these shows, but at least they're
happening.
Zoom meetings definitely serve a purpose and will be part of
worklife moving forward.
Still, there is nothing quite like sitting down with old potato
industry friends.
Editor Zeke Jennings, 616-520-2159
zjennings@greatamericanpublish.com
Editorial Director Tim Hodson, 616-520-2161
thodson@greatamericanpublish.com
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Publisher gbogdon@greatamericanpublish.com
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spudproduction@spudman.com
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khowell@greatamericanpublish.com
Circulation
Circulation Becky Stovall, 616-520-2138
circulation@spudman.com
Corporate
CEO Matt McCallum
publisher@spudman.com
COO & CMO Kimberly Baker
kbaker@greatamericanpublish.com
CFO & Director of Deb Carnes, 616-520-2169
Human Resources dcarnes@greatamericanpublish.com
Editorial Board
Randy Hardy, Oakley Farms, Oakley, Idaho
Andy Jensen, Northwest Potato Research Consortium
Don Sklarczyk, Sklarczyk Seed Farms, Johannesburg, Mich.
Robert Thornton, Washington State University, Pullman, Wash.
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SPUDMAN volume 59 number 8 (ISSN 0038-8661) is printed 8 times
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6
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November/December 2021

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