The Idaho State Department of Agriculture Specialty Crop Block Grant (ISDA SCBG) recently awarded a USD125,000 “smoke potato” grant.

The new financing line will support a diverse team of researchers to grow different varieties of potatoes under conditions simulating rangeland and forest fire smoke, harvest the potatoes for storage and processing, conduct chemical analysis and quality value assessment, and determine the economic impact of climate-induced smoke on the Idaho potato industry.

The team of researchers includes Professor Mike Thornton of the University of Idaho Parma Research and Extension Center; University of Idaho Economics Professor Emeritus Joe Guenther; Director of the Caldwell-based University of Idaho Food Technology Center, Josh Bevin; McCain Foods USA Manager of Agronomy, Addie Waxman; and Boise State University Professor and Chair of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Owen McDougal.