02/09/06 2006 Potato Industry Award

Washington Ag February 9, 2006 The 1956 Washington State Potato Commission was awarded the 2006 Industry Leadership Award at a banquet last night during the annual Washington Potato Conference in Moses Lake. The Washington State Potato Foundation chose to honor the founding board to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Potato Commission. Two surviving members of that board, Ed McKay of Othello and Walt LePage of Pasco, accepted the honors. A federal researcher at Pullman has been named one of the USDA's top scientists. Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns has announced that Katherine O'Rourke, a microbiologist at the Agricultural Research Service's Animal Diseases Research Unit at Pullman was named the Pacific West Area's top scientist for 2005. O'Rourke was recognized for scientific excellence leading to implemented measures for controlling transmissible spongiform encephalopathies within North America. The first annual Cowman's Classic 4H and FFA Beef Judging Contest is scheduled for February 27th at the Interstate Fairgrounds in Spokane. Consignors of the annual 22nd Cowman's Classic All Breed bull Sale will be supplying the animals for the contest that begins at 11 am on the 27th. For more information on the contest contact Sarah Smith at 509-754-2011 ext. 363. I'm Bob Hoff.