New Facility
The new lab facility was officially opened in spring 2022 to address greater demand for plantlets and mini-tubers, with a goal of increasing production by three times in the next five years. The increase in revenue will keep the facility on the cutting edge of technology in addition to supporting student training and education through internships.
A new Seed Potato Germplasm Laboratory will
- Address greater demand for plantlets and mini-tubers.
- Increase plant production by three times over the next five years.
- Allow growers to reduce their current greenhouse production of mini-tubers.
- Increase sales, removing the need to increase fees to growers.
- Ensure biosafety for the program by locating it in isolation from research being conducted on potato pathogens.
- Increase cold storage capacity, allowing for greater production of current varieties to meet the industry needs while supporting increased development of new varieties.
The new facility was made possible by support from the Idaho Potato Commission, Northwest Farm Credit Services, the State of Idaho, and Doug Gross and Mary Hasenoehrl.