The North America Potato Storage Organization (NAPSO) proudly marked its first anniversary this month, celebrating a year of transformative contributions to the potato storage industry across North America.
Since its founding in April of 2024, NAPSO has emerged as a vital resource for potato farmers, agronomists, researchers, and industry professionals, delivering cutting-edge education, fostering collaboration, and promoting sustainable storage practices to enhance potato quality, reduce waste, and boost profitability.
In just one year, NAPSO has achieved remarkable milestones, establishing itself as a leader in potato storage innovation.
“It’s incredible to reflect on how far we’ve come in such a short time,” said Dr. Addie Waxman, NAPSO founder and representative. “Our webinars, panels, and resources have empowered industry professionals with actionable insights, and we’re thrilled to continue driving progress for the potato industry.”
Bill Orr, fellow co-founder and long-time storage consultant, emphasized the importance of practical solutions and community building:
“From the very beginning, our goal was to create something useful, something that would directly benefit the growers and storage managers who keep this industry running. One year in, I believe we’ve proven that a grassroots, grower-driven initiative like NAPSO can make a real impact.”
Emily Merk, co-founder and Communications Coordinator of NAPSO, highlighted the organization’s forward-looking mission:
“What excites me most is how open the industry has been to change. We’re not just sharing information—we’re building a culture of continuous improvement. The collaboration we’ve seen between researchers, growers, and industry professionals is laying the groundwork for more resilient and sustainable storage practices across North America.”
A Year of Achievements
NAPSO hosted three highly successful webinars thus far, attracting hundreds of participants in North America and globally. These webinars, recorded and available on NAPSO’s website and YouTube channel, cover critical storage topics and feature leading experts.
Dynamic Potato Storage Panels and Trade Show Presence: NAPSO has actively engaged the industry through expert panels and presentations at major trade shows, fostering knowledge exchange and collaboration.
Safety and Educational Resources: NAPSO launched a Safety Resources section on its website in October 2024, providing guidelines, training materials, and best practices to enhance workplace safety in potato storage facilities. Additionally, the organization offers educational articles and job openings to support industry professionals.
YouTube Channel Launch: In August 2024, NAPSO introduced its official YouTube channel, hosting webinar recordings, organizational overviews, and insights into potato storage practices, broadening the reach of its educational content.
Growing Community Engagement: With over 60 attendees at its first webinar, 168 at its second, and more than 120 at its third, NAPSO has built a vibrant community of professionals eager to advance storage practices. The organization encourages industry members to share resources and join its mailing list for updates.
NAPSO’s Webinar Series: A Cornerstone of Education
NAPSO’s webinars have been a cornerstone of its educational efforts, offering practical, research-based strategies for potato storage. The following webinars have been hosted to date, each available for viewing on NAPSO’s website (www.napso.info) and YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/@NAPSO-videochannel):
“Preparing for a Successful Storage Season” (August 19, 2024)
Speakers: Nathan Gelles (Decco Post-Harvest) and Todd Forbush (Techmark, Inc.)
Topics: Sanitation, early storage management, field selection, and factors affecting potato quality, such as sugar content and specific gravity.
Impact: Over 60 professionals attended, with a dynamic Q&A session praised for its depth and clarity. The webinar emphasized proactive measures to maintain tuber quality, with Gelles noting, “Once the potato is removed from the vine, it is essentially a ticking time bomb.”
“Potato Storage: The First 45 Days” (November 4, 2024)
Speakers: Addie Waxman, Ph.D. (McCain Foods), Eric Evans (Agri-Stor), Vijay Choppakatla (BioSafe Systems), and Kent Wasden
Topics: Ramp-down schedules, storage disease control (e.g., using Peracetic Acid), sprout control (e.g., CIPC application), and frost management.
Impact: Attracted 168 participants, making it NAPSO’s most attended webinar. The event provided actionable insights for the critical initial storage phase, with recordings and related articles available online.
“Storing for Success: Protecting Potato Seed & Preventing Disease” (February 24, 2025)
Speaker: Kasia Duellman (University of Idaho) and James Alford (Alford Custom Ag/Premier Seed LLC)
Topics: Seed storage techniques, disease prevention, seed handling, shipping, cutting, treatment methods, suberization, and planting considerations.
Impact: Drew 120 attendees, offering science-backed strategies to enhance seed quality. Presentations are downloadable, and a recording will soon be available on the NAPSO website.
Potato Storage Panels and Trade Show Engagement
NAPSO has amplified its impact through expert panels and trade show participation, connecting with industry professionals and showcasing storage expertise:
Potato Expo 2025 (January 9-10, 2025): NAPSO hosted a panel discussion on January 9, moderated by Travis Blacker (Idaho Potato Commission) and featuring experts Ross Culberson (Cellar Insights) and Ragen Darrington (Industrial Ventilation, Inc.). The panel addressed key storage challenges and opportunities, providing practical insights for growers.
Montana Seed Seminar (November 13-14, 2024): Emily Merk represented NAPSO, engaging with industry professionals on storage best practices.
Potato Growers of Alberta (November 19-21, 2024): Addie Waxman and Bill Orr presented, fostering discussions on storage innovation.
Idaho Potato Conference (January 22-23, 2025): Addie Waxman delivered a talk on storage strategies.
WA/OR Potato Conference (January 28-30, 2025): Emily Merk presented in the Ag Innovation section, highlighting NAPSO’s contributions.
Montana Potato Production Days (January 28-30, 2025): Bill Orr shared expertise on storage management.
Upcoming PAA Symposium (July 27-31, 2025, Madison, WI): NAPSO will host a panel discussion and feature an international speaker from Belgium discussing post-CIPC storage practices, reinforcing its global perspective.
Looking Ahead
As NAPSO celebrates its first year, the organization is already planning its next steps. A fourth webinar, scheduled for March-June 2025, will focus on long-term storage strategies to minimize shrink, risk, and disease.
“NAPSO’s webinars and panels have been game-changers for the industry,” said Emily Merk, NAPSO representative. “We invite everyone to visit www.napso.info to access our webinars, safety resources, and educational articles, and to join our mailing list for updates on future events.”
Join the Movement!
NAPSO encourages industry professionals to explore its resources, share webinar links, and engage with its growing community. By fostering collaborative learning and knowledge-sharing, NAPSO is paving the way for a more resilient, efficient, and sustainable potato industry. For more information, contact Emily Merk at contact@napso.info or visit www.napso.info.