About this episode

The episode discusses the inaugural 2026 Spud Sector Survey and its implications for potato growers in America.

National Potato Council CEO Kam Quarles and Spudman Managing Editor Melinda Waldrop join the Eye on Potatoes Podcast to break down the inaugural 2026 Spud Sector Survey. This first-of-its-kind report moves past headlines to reveal the economic heartbeat of America’s potato growers. Discover how NPC uses this "hard data ammunition" to advocate for our family farms in Washington, D.C. The group discusses the striking "optimism gap," where growers feel confident in their own operations but...

People in this episode

Guests: Kam Quarles, Melinda Waldrop

Topics covered

• Spud Sector Survey
• potato growers
• economic data
• advocacy

Keywords

• optimism gap
• National Potato Council
• family farms
• Washington D.C.

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Bridging the Optimism Gap

Places: America, Washington, D.C.

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• Spud Team Six: Capstone Solutions for Industry Engagement · March 19, 2026 · 26 min
• LIVE from Potato Expo 2026: Views from the Nation’s Capital · February 17, 2026 · 39 min
• Navigating U.S. Potato Trade Opportunities in 2026 · February 6, 2026 · 13 min
• Advocating for a Stable and Secure Farm Workforce · January 22, 2026 · 24 min

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