06/09/06 Spud shipping expert on Wash panel

Farm and Ranch June 9, 2006 Paul Vander Stoep, manager of the Washington Perishable Shippers Cooperative Association, has accepted an invitation to join the Technical Resource Panel for the Washington State Transportation Commission`s Statewide Rail Capacity and Needs Study. That study was ordered by the state Legislature. Vander Stoep says he's glad to have been asked to join the activity where he will be able to make sure shippers' needs are accurately represented. Vander Stoep: "The Commission has been going around the state gathering input at various regional meetings and has hired a consultant to prepare a report. But the Commission wants to make sure the report is accurate in the eyes of users of rail service. So they have selected this technical committee to review the report and offer input and correction and guidance to the people preparing the report. So, I am just a member of the panel. I've represented the Potato Shippers for a number of years and have been involved in rail shipping for a good many years." Over 35 years of experience in rail shipping including ordering hundreds of refrigerated rail cars per year for packers and shippers of Washington potatoes and onions. The Statewide Rail Capacity and Needs Study is due to be completed by December. 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 on the Northwest Ag Information Network.