The potato R&P program operates as the National Potato Promotion Board and conducts business as Potatoes USA. The Board is funded by an assessment on potatoes produced in and imported into the United States and is administered by Potatoes USA with oversight from AMS. The current assessment rate is 3 cents ($0.03) per hundredweight (cwt.) on potatoes produced in and imported into the United States.
The Board’s purpose is to maintain and expand existing markets and develop new markets for potatoes and potato products. The Board launches impactful marketing campaigns; coordinates regional, national and international market production research; and establishes new trade markets. The Board also promotes the benefits of potatoes to audiences across the globe, including consumers, foodservice operators, retailers, and health professionals.
Producers of less than five acres of potatoes, and producers of potatoes and potato products used for nonhuman food purposes, other than seed, are exempt from assessment. The Board reimburses the AMS and USDA’s Office of General Counsel for incurred costs and program oversight.
On March 9, 1972, the Potato Research and Promotion Plan became effective, creating the program under the authority of the Potato Research and Promotion Act (pdf).
View Potato Research and Promotion Federal Register History.
Organizational Structure
The Board has 88 members and is composed of producers, importers, and a public member. Producers and importers are nominated by their peers, and the public member is nominated by the Board. Each state is entitled to at least one member and entitled to additional members if annual state production exceeds 10 million cwt. of potatoes. Two importer members may be on the Board, one member for each 10 million cwt., or major fraction thereof, of imported tablestock, seed potatoes, and potato products. All members are appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture.
You can access a listing of the current Board members and committees on the National Potato Promotion Board website.
Visit the National Potato Promotion Board's website
Organic Assessment Exemption
R&P programs allow persons that produce, handle, market, process, manufacture, feed or import “organic” and “100 percent organic” products to be exempt from paying assessments. Any exempted person remains obligated to pay assessments on conventional or nonorganic potato or potato products that do not qualify for an exemption.
Contacts
Director: Michelle Sharrow
Email: Michelle.Sharrow@usda.gov
Phone: (202) 720-8085
Branch Chief: Alexandra Caryl
Email: Alexandra.Caryl@usda.gov
Phone: (202) 720-8085