Promoting Pride in Ag
HONORING our POTATO INDUSTRY
PAST
PRESENT
FUTURE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Brandon Brook
Corteva
Kevin Cochrane
Corteva
Ben Cox
AXA Equitable Agrifinance
Mike Dodds
Basic American Foods
Dale Lathim
Potato Growers of WA
Davina Ward Pink
Edwin Markham Elementary
Heidi Shattuck
Connell High School
Brandy Tucker
Wa St Potato Commission
Dr Tim Waters
WSU Extension
I'
EXCELLENCE IN AG SCHOLARSHIPS
AG IN THE CLASSROOM
“Today’s Ag”
Essay Contest
PARTNER SCHOOLS
CONNELL
Honoring Our Heritage
SCHEDUle A SPEAKER
G
Speaker's Circuit
in the
Classroom
Wanna have a hearty 30 minute conversation with an Industry Professional? Here Is your chance!
MAKE IT HAPPEN
Click on the topics that Interest you.
Include dates/times that we could come to your classroom.
Someone will reach out within a couple days to schedule something that works for your class calendar.
1.
2.
3.
IRRIGATION IN THE
COLUMBIA BASIN
We are having technical difficulties uploading the scholarship application
Applications Due:
April 12, 2024
Please text or email us and we will get you an application immediately.
kbalcom@potatoes.com
or
509.528.4144
Industry
leaderSHIP
AWARD
2019
2014
Otto Geisert
2007
Pete Taggares
2006
1956 Potato Commission
2005
Gary Pelter
2004
Dennis Conley
DONATE
2024 Industry Leadership Banquet
INCREDIBLE
was
Incredible COMEDIAN
Leadership Banquet DETAILS
January 24, 2024
6:00-8:30pm at 3 Rivers Convention CenteR
Doors open at 5:30PM (Ballroom)
SEE YOU NEXT YEAR!
01.29.25
TIMELINE
5:30 Doors Open
Hosted Beer and Wine
6:00 Dinner Is served
6:30 WSPF Program
Ag in the Classroom Students
6:45 Industry Leadership Award: HOnoring Dr. Andy Jensen
7:00 Greg Claassen Ventriloquist
Event Sponsored by:
Happy Hour Sponsor
Happy Hour Sponsor:
Entertainment Sponsored by:
Industry Leadership Award Sponsored by:
Happy Hour Sponsor:
Ag Ambassadors
2
0
2
4
Ambassadors are sponsors who make an annual pledge which supports two or more WSPF projects
throughout the year
I Would INFO to BeCOME an Ambassador
2024 Year Round Sponsors
FOOD GROUP
Year Round Sponsors underwrite two primary WSPF events:
the Industry Leadership Banquet and the Golf Tournament.
SEED LOT TRIALS
FIELD DAY SPONSORSHIP
June 2024
Sponsorships paid by Credit Cards Include a 6% Service fee
AG IN THE CLASSROOM
"TODAY'S AG" AWARENESS PROMPTS
- Explain why the Columbia River and the dams are important in our region.
- Describe 4 or more considerations required to grow quality potatoes in the Columbia Basin.
- Discuss a minimum of 3 crops that are grown in or around the Tri-Cities region and how those crops impact our state's economy.
- Highlight and discuss one political topic that impacts farmers in our area. (minimum wage requirements, international trade regulations, immigration reform)
- Highlight 3 agriculture related careers that you would be interested in. Describe education requirements, demand for those positions (such as companies that are hiring those positions) and the earning potential and payscale for each of them. Discuss if you would be interested ini pursuing a career of this sort.
- Identify one agriculture related company in our area and highlight how it is beneficial to the industry, the local economy and the community.
ESSAYS THAT ARE SELECTED WILL RECEIVE EXTRA CREDIT AND A $20 GIFT CERTIFICATE TO DUTCH BROS
Requirements
- Essays must be between 300-500 words
- Full credit will be received when essays are well written, gramatically correct, accurate and include your personal insight and opinions.
- Do not plagiarize, we will check!
- Essays must be signed (or submitted by a teacher at one of the participating schools)
2023 Field Day Sponsors
2023 Golf Sponsors
2024 Golf Tournament
Register
Monday,June 24, 2024
MEADOW SPRINGS COUNTRY CLUB
Register
Select
7:30 OR 1:15 SHOTGUN START TIMES
Register
WSPF is committed to investing in young people and their pursuit of agriculture careers. We hope that these mini-grants will offer students and teachers opportunities to identify creative ways for hands-on learning. Please consider applying for mini-grants that can assist in providing these opportunities.
Be sure to articulate your passion and specifically how your proposed idea will advance your educational/professional goals. If you would like to set up a personal meeting with some WSPF professionals, we would love to speak with you about your ideas.
If you would like more Information or would like to request an application, please contact our Executive Director Kellee Balcom
Check out our 2022-23 Sponsors
AG IN THE CLASSROOM SPONSORSHIPS
THANK YOU TO OUR AMAZING SPONSORS
(2024 Sponsors)
Every participating high school will offer semi-annual essay prompts regarding current agriculture issues. Though topics will be "everyday issues" for industry professionals, these questions will inspire curiosity and research for pertinent challenges. These real life projects like water rights, legislative matters, sustainability will get students thinking about farming beyond merely an academic perspective. Industry professionals will be available to provide awards as well as feedback in reference to their topics
$500 "TODAY'S AG" Essay Contest
$1000
Ag in the
Classroom Grant
WSPF is taking hands-on lessons to local classrooms iand providing industry related challenges--agronomy lessons, greenhouse programs and site
based ag-tours within
the Tri Cities area.
The MacGregor Company
Warden Hutterian Brethren
Schneider Farms
Additional Supporters
Martin McCullough
Laauli Faamausili
Michael Metcalf
Tom O’Brien
Michel Lemon
Max Feldman
Blaine Hendrickson
Banner Bank
$100 Student Sponsorship
Field trips and FFA memberships for students who participate in the Ag in the Classroom Program
Washington State Potato Foundation
PO Box 5051
Pasco, WA 99301
Tax Identification: 91-2041951
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Kellee Balcom
Executive Director
kbalcom@potatoes.com
509.528-4144
WSPF Scholarship Information will be added in
February of 2024
Please check back
Feel free to contact Kellee at 509-528-4144 if you have any questions before then
L
EGACY
LEADERS