Potato Growers of Idaho will take its platforms on the road to try to reach all growers about the aspects of "the new" PGI.
Meetings start today with a noon luncheon set for Blackfoot. Three are scheduled Thursday, Nov. 1, at St. Anthony (8 .m.), Idaho Falls (noon), and Pocatello (6 p.m.).
They continue next Thursday, Nov. 8, with another trio set for Burley (8 a.m.), Jerome (noon), Boise (7 p.m.).
Board members will explain the restructured organization. Immediately prior to each meeting will be a local meeting of the National Potato Promotion Board. Nominations for Board delegates whose terms are up, as well as an update on Board activities will be given.
PGI members currently pay three-tenths of 1 percent of their gross sales to aid legislative, regulatory, and industry concerns. On $5 potatoes, that would amount to 1.7 cents per cwt. There is a cap per grower of $1,920.
Because the number of PGI members has declined, it has become increasingly difficult to fund an organization such as PGI through a voluntary check-off. One proposal to be discussed is dramatically lowering the dues collected from each grower in an effort to attract new members.