03/24/06 Produce Rail Car Program getting ready

Farm and Ranch March 24, 2006 Washington may produce some of the best potatoes, apples and other perishable commodities in the world, but; Voigt: "Regardless of how great your crop is if you can't get it to market all of your effort as growers and as farmers have been futile. You might as well not be farming if you can't get it to market." That's Chris Voigt, Executive Director of the Washington State Potato Commission speaking at an event in Moses Lake earlier this week. The Potato Commission worked several years to develop a rail program to help get products to market and this July Washington's Produce Railcar Program will become a reality as the State Department of Transportation intends to contract with Rail Logistics of Kansas to operate a program with 75 leased refrigerated rail cars. State Senator Joyce Mulliken recalled her efforts that got this train rolling. Mulliken: "A few years ago who would have known. I sponsored a Senate bill that was called the Spud Train legislation or the Spud Bill. It took a partnership between the state and federal government to get the rail car program on track and that's where U.S. Senator Patty Murray played a role by getting two million dollars in federal funds. Murray: "This project is finally going forward. So we are here today to announce a success for our farmers and one that is critically needed and I hope really begins help to solve one of the challenges." Rail Logistics is holding meetings with potential shippers next week to begin working out the details of the program. That's the Northwest Farm and Ranch Report. Brought to you in part by the Washington State Potato Commission. Nutrition today! Good health tomorrow! I'm Bob Hoff for the Northwest Ag Information Network.