Washington Grown to tell state’s agriculture story
Washington Grown to tell state’s agriculture story
A collaborative program bringing the Washington State Potato Commission, farmers, and ranchers together will increase awareness about agriculture in the Evergreen State. “One of our more interesting outreach programs the WSPC is working on is our efforts to launch a collaborative campaign between various farm groups in Washington called Washington Grown,” Ryan Holterhoff, director of marketing and industry affairs for the Washington State Potato Commission, told The Produce News. “The goal of Washington Grown is to increase the overall awareness of agriculture to residents throughout the state and provide a platform for the farmers and ranchers of Washington to tell their story.”
Holterhoff said the central theme of the campaign is centered on food. “As the average person has become more and more removed from today’s farm, food is a key item that ties us all together,” he explained. “As we teach people about the role that the numerous crops found in Washington provide to their meals, culture and economy, we can work to educate them about today’s farm.”
The Washington Grown campaign will carry its message through an interactive website, television, radio and print advertising. “In addition, one of the key elements is that we have created 13 episodes of a television show that will air this fall on local affiliates throughout the state and begin to tell Washington’s food story,” Holterhoff added. “Each episode will include interviews with farmers, local chefs and other industry representatives.”
WSPC is also expanding its work with culinary students in Washington through a recipe development competition. “Students will submit recipes that use fresh, frozen or dehydrated Washington state potatoes,” Holterhoff commented. “A panel of judges will award an overall winner, a second place winner and four overall runner-up awards.” The deadline for recipe submission is Dec. 1.
