Potato grower Eric Halverson has spoken in front of the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee regarding the importance of the USDA export programs, mentioning that without the USDA Market Access Program, exports could not grow.

U.S. potato growers see fierce foreign competition in key export markets and continued access is vital for maintaining the economic health of the industry, said Halverson. The USDA Market Access Program (MAP) allows the U.S. to be competitive overseas through marketing and promotional activities that build commercial export markets.

Halverson spoke about MAP’s important role in this public-private partnership, noting its 28-to-1 return-on-investment.
Export market development programs funded through the farm bill have contributed an average of USD8.2bn per year to farm export revenue from 1977-2014. Without the existence of MAP, exports would not have returned to growth last year, said Halverson.

He testified on behalf of the National Potato Council and United Fresh Produce Association. As the Senate committee’s work in preparation for the 2018 Farm Bill continues, NPC is actively engaged in providing information and outlining the importance of Farm Bill programs working in concert with U.S. trade policies.

Halverson is a fourth-generation farmer and CEO of Black Gold Farms in Grand Forks, North Dakota.