b'FROM OUR DESKSpring 2023 - Vol. 20, No. 2Advancing the Canadian Potato IndustryBack to the Travel PUBLISHED BY:SEED WORLD GROUP and Conference World 6327435 Canada Ltd.200-449 Main Street, Box 478, Oakbank, MB, R0E 1J0Phone: 204-453-1965, Fax: 204-475-5247Email: [email protected] I WRITE THIS, Im sitting at a gate at Torontos Pearsonseedworldgroup.comInternational Airport. Im on my way back to Winnipeg from thePUBLISHEROntario Potato Conference which I attended to provide coverageShawn [email protected] to you our loyal readers. The trip felt slightly like dj vu,EDITORas this conference was the last one I attended three years agoAshley [email protected] our lives changed forever and we went into lockdown. MANAGING EDITORAt the time I had only been editor of Spud Smart for a month,Michelle [email protected] I was excited to get out and meet the Canadian potatoADVERTISING SALESASHLEY ROBINSON,industry from coast to coast. Unfortunately, I was only able toCraig [email protected] Spud Smart editor Dean [email protected] the Ontario folks in person before my in-person meetingsCandace [email protected] turned to virtual ones. It would be over two years later beforeSam [email protected] conferences started up again and I was able to startCREATE CLIENT SERVICESmeeting people in personin some cases for the first time. Aiden [email protected] This whole winter has been a different experience for meMARKETINGas Spud Smart editor. Where Im usually scouring any meansCharlene [email protected] (mainly the Internet) to find story ideas to fill theseLaura [email protected] pages, this winter I found myself staring at conference programsTheresa Ramsoomair [email protected] and choosing which sessions I thought would make forCREATIVEthe best stories, which topics I thought growers from coast toCharlene McIvor, Lesley Nakonechny, Kyle Dratowany,Theresa Ramsoomaircoast needed to know. In some ways it was easier, and in other ways harder. DIGITAL CONTENT PRODUCERIve found in the post-pandemic world I dont have the sameRebecca [email protected] for travel I once did. Where I used to spend all dayCIRCULATIONvisiting and meeting people at conferences and then spend theDean [email protected] socializing, my social battery usually runs out by supperCONTRIBUTORStime now and Ill go back to my hotel room to recharge and readyAlly Roden, Elaine Froese, Ellen Kouwenberg, Eugenia Banks, Kevin Elmy, Marc Zienkiewicz and Trevor Bacquemyself for the next day. While this may mean I miss a few toasts in the evening, I am finding it has its perks and being clear eyedEDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARDChad Berry, Darin Gibson, Greg Donald, Rick D. Peters,and ready to listen to sessions bright and early does help withScott Graham, Tracy Shinners-Carnelley, Peter VanderZaagreporting. SUBSCRIPTIONSI am loving being back out on the road though, putting facesSpud Smart is published four times a year.to names, shaking hands and forging relationships that couldntTo subscribe, please email [email protected] made through a computer screen. My favourite part ofCanadian subscription rate is: $45.00/year plus GST. International subscription rate is CDN$110.00/year.conferences is when Im sitting at a table or waiting in line for lunch and someone approaches asking if Im Ashley Robinson, PRINTED IN CANADAsaying they had heard I was here and had to track me down.Please recycle where facilities exist.No part of this magazine may be reproduced without the written It always leads to a great conversation and a connection that Ipermission of the publisher. know will last.Spud Smart makes no expressed or implied warranties of Throughout this issue youll see stories from conferences Imechantability or fitness for a particular purpose or otherwise, had the pleasure of attending this winter. I was thankful to beconcerning the use of any product and assumes no liability for any welcomed at Manitoba Potato Production Days and the Ontarioinjury or damage, direct or consequential, incurred from the use of such products or services therein. Federal, provincial and municipal Potato Conference over the past few months. Both conferenceslaws and regulations supersede the information contained within. were chalked full of interesting presentations. I loved listeningPublications Mail Agreement No. 40030841.in on these sessions and learning what I could, so that I couldReturn undeliverable Canadian addresses to:report back and share that information with you my dear readers. Seed World GroupAs the winter show season wraps up, we look towards field200-449 Main Street, Box 478, Oakbank, MB, R0E 1J0days. I look forward to attending more this year and meeting morePRIVACY CODEof you from coast to coast. So please if you see me tweeting awayTo view our privacy policy, visit spudsmart.com.on Twitter from an event or hear Im in attendance, come and find SPUDSMART@SPUDSMARTMAGme. I will be happy to shake your hand and hear your story. We acknowledge the [financial] support 2SPUDSMART.COM Spring 2023 of the Government of Canada.'