It’s Gerald Edwards’ turn to represent Hollandale potato growers on a state level.

Thursday, July 26, 2001

It’s Gerald Edwards’ turn to represent Hollandale potato growers on a state level.

Edwards was named district four representative on the Minnesota Department of Agriculture potato research and promotion council. This is his first term serving on the council.

&uot;I applied, but really there’s only five of us growers in the Hollandale area,&uot; he said. &uot;It was kind of my turn to do it.&uot;

The commodity council will decide how to use potato checkoff funds to help state potato farmers, he said.

&uot;We decide what research to do with some of those dollars, and work on promoting Minnesota grown potatoes,&uot; Edwards said.

The committee hasn’t met to put forward an agenda yet, but leaf blight is almost sure to be one topic addressed, he said.

&uot;We’re always looking at varieties, disease problems,&uot; he said. &uot;I expect a great deal of money will go into researching for disease.&uot;

Commodity council elections are organized by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture and are held annually to fill vacant positions.