Seed storage under the microscope: How to protect quality between harvest and planting
February 14, 2026: NAPSO and Spud Smart are inviting growers and storage professionals to an upcoming webinar focused on one of the most consequential links in the potato value chain – protecting seed quality between harvest and planting.
The webinar, titled Seed Storage: Protecting Quality from Harvest to Planting, is scheduled for February 20 at 10:00 AM PST. It is presented jointly by NAPSO and Spud Smart and is designed as a practical, operations-focused event with live discussion and Q&A.
The webinar will feature three speakers:
- Leroy Salazar – Seed Grower / Engineer, Salazar Farms
- Amanda Wakasugi – Seed Grower / Farm Manager, San Acacio Seed, LLC
- Bill Crowder – Consultant / President, Agro Engineering
The webinar is positioned for growers, storage operators, seed managers, and consultants seeking practical guidance they can apply in real-world facilities ahead of planting season.
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Past Events
Mid-storage health check: Webinar helps potato managers spot trouble early
December 4, 2025: Potato growers and storage managers are invited to a practical online session co-hosted by NAPSO and Spud Smart magazine. The Mid-Storage Health Check: Diagnosing and Managing Problems webinar takes place Tuesday, December 17 at 10:00 a.m. PST (1:00 p.m. EST / 2:00 p.m. Atlantic).
Experts Dr. Sastry Jayanty and Dr. Amanda Gevens will explain how to interpret CO₂ and humidity readings, read condensation patterns and recognize early signs of disease and bruising so problems can be addressed before losses build.
Registration details and access link are available on the Spud Smart website or directly at:
https://event.webinarjam.com/62k8n/register/24o39a9r
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Refrigerated Potato Storage Faces Major Regulatory Shakeup — Are You Ready?
October 30, 2025: Refrigerated storage is about to undergo a critical transformation that could significantly impact potato growers and storage managers.
With new federal regulations targeting hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) — the chemicals powering most cooling systems — the industry must act now to stay ahead of rising costs and operational hurdles. So what does this mean in practical terms?
Join the upcoming webinar co-hosted by NAPSO and Spud Smart to understand the upcoming changes and how to prepare.
Title: Cooling Compliance: Navigating the AIM Act in Ag Operations
Date: Nov. 14, 10 a.m. PST Register here: https://event.webinarjam.com/62k8n/register/znk35h50
More information is available on this page.
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Potato storage at the crossroads: PAA and NAPSO to host landmark Storage Symposium in Wisconsin
May 21, 2025: The North American Potato Storage Organization (NAPSO) is pleased to announce it will be co-hosting a Technical Storage Symposium during the upcoming Potato Association of America (PAA) Annual Meeting, scheduled for July 28, 2025, in Madison, Wisconsin.
This pivotal event is organized in collaboration with the PAA Utilization and Marketing Section and marks a significant gathering of the foremost minds in potato storage science, engineering, and commercial application. The 2025 symposium aims to bridge critical knowledge gaps and foster dialogue across the spectrum of storage-related disciplines.
More information is available on this page.
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NAPSO webinar tackles final-stage potato storage challenges with expert precision
May 15, 2025: The North American Potato Storage Organization (NAPSO) hosted its latest industry webinar today, drawing participation from 98 growers, storage managers, and researchers across North America and beyond. Titled “The Final Countdown: Smart Storage Strategies for Late Season Potatoes,” the session featured two in-depth presentations focused on extending quality and minimizing loss during the critical final stretch of potato storage.
A video recording of the webinar is available on the NAPSO website – check out the webinar section of the site. It can also be watched on YouTube here.
Eric Evans of Agri-Stor Shares Practical Approaches for Late-Season Management
Eric Evans, President of Agri-Stor Companies, brought over three decades of storage equipment and service experience to his presentation, “Maximize Your Potato Storage Late Season.” Evans emphasized that as outdoor temperatures rise in spring and summer, the key to maintaining quality lies in proactive environmental control.
He warned against allowing warm air into storages and stressed the importance of starting refrigeration systems before conditions become critical. He outlined specific recommendations on:
- Temperature and Humidity Control: Avoiding Delta-T spikes and maintaining high humidity without causing condensation.
- Airflow Management: Running fans continuously at optimized volumes and speeds to prevent fluctuation and maintain evaporator efficiency.
- CO₂ Monitoring: Keeping levels below 2,500–3,000 ppm and using automatic purge systems when possible.
- Sprout Control and Disease Prevention: Reinforcing dormancy enhancement protocols and using disinfectants like PAA or chlorine dioxide to reduce late-season disease risk.
Evans also highlighted the growing relevance of energy-use efficiency, urging operators not to compromise long-term quality for short-term savings.
Dr. Sastry Jayanty of Colorado State University Unpacks Physiological Stress and Ventilation Dynamics
Dr. Sastry S. Jayanty, Professor of Postharvest Biology at Colorado State University, followed with a research-driven presentation on “Practices for Late Season Storage.” His insights centered around physiological degradation of tuber integrity over time, especially with prolonged storage durations.
Jayanty addressed critical late-season issues including:
- Pressure Bruising and Black Spot: Increased vulnerability from reduced turgidity, cellular breakdown, and excessive pile pressure.
- Ventilation Trials: Presenting data from multi-season studies, he compared continuous and intermittent airflow rates, noting their impacts on weight loss, sprouting, and nutrient retention.
- Handling-Induced Damage: Emphasizing that transitions from storage to washing or bagging—especially involving temperature differentials—can amplify impact and shatter bruising, particularly in poly bag environments.
His findings underscored that maintaining a stable storage microclimate, closely matching tuber and flume water temperatures, and carefully managing packaging environments are essential to preserving potato quality during late-season transitions.
The session concluded with a brief Q&A and a call for continued collaboration and feedback from attendees. As the potato industry navigates a changing climate and increasing storage demands, NAPSO reaffirmed its commitment to facilitating expert-led knowledge exchange.
More information and a full video recording can be accessed on our website here.
Contact for further information:
Emily Merk, NAPSO Communications Coordinator
contact@napso.info
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NAPSO webinar to address critical storage strategies for potato farmers: ‘Potato Storage: The First 45 Days’
NAPSO is excited to announce an upcoming webinar titled “Potato Storage: The First 45 Days,” featuring topics specifically tailored for potato growers. This webinar will be a crucial opportunity for those in the potato industry to gain valuable insights into the best practices for ensuring the optimal quality and longevity of their potato crops during the initial phase of storage.
Scheduled for November 4, 2024, the webinar will bring together some of the most prominent specialists in the potato industry to discuss key issues and strategies that can make or break the success of potato storage, especially during the critical first 45 days. This period is essential for setting the foundation for maintaining the quality of potatoes, whether they are destined for fresh markets, processing (French fry or chip production), or seed purposes.
Potato farmers know that the success of their harvest doesn’t end in the field—proper storage is just as crucial. The first 45 days after harvest are the most critical for maintaining the quality and marketability of potatoes. By attending this webinar, farmers will gain access to the latest research, expert advice, and proven strategies that can help them navigate the complexities of potato storage.
Contact for further information and to request an invitation link:
Emily Merk, NAPSO Communications Coordinator
contact@napso.info
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NAPSO Webinar on August 19: Preparing for a Successful Storage Season
The North America Potato Storage Organization (NAPSO) is excited to announce its inaugural webinar, scheduled for August 19, 2024, at 11:00 AM MST / 10:00 AM PST.
The agenda for the webinar includes the following two expert presentations:
- Field Selection for a Successful Storage Season
Presented by Todd Forbush of Techmark. - Storage Cleaning, Disinfecting, and Sanitizing
Presented by Nathan Gelles from Decco.
“Whether you are a farmer, agronomist, researcher, or industry consultant, NAPSO offers a platform to learn, share, and connect with leaders and innovators at the forefront of the field,” says Addie Waxman, one of NAPSO’s founding members. “By doing so, we aim to improve potato quality, reduce waste, and optimize energy consumption, contributing significantly to food security and environmental sustainability”.
“Knowledge is the cornerstone of progress. We are committed to sharing the latest research and information with all members of the industry, and we believe that NAPSO webinars will play a crucial role in achieving this goal,” affirms Bill Orr, another founding member of NAPSO.
For more information or to request a Teams meeting invite for the event, please contact NAPSO Communications Coordinator Emily Merk at contact@napso.info. If you are unable to attend the live meeting, the webinar will be recorded and published on the NAPSO website as soon as possible.
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NAPSO announces inaugural in-person meeting at PAA Annual Conference
NAPSO is excited to announce its first in-person meeting, scheduled to take place during the Potato Association of America (PAA) Annual Conference. This milestone event is set for Tuesday, July 23, 2024, starting at 3 pm in the AC Portland Hotel, conveniently located near the Conference venue.
The agenda for the meeting will focus on further developing NAPSO’s framework and solidifying its role as a leading organization dedicated to the potato storage sector. Attendees can expect insightful discussions and collaborative efforts aimed at driving innovation and excellence in potato storage practices.
For those unable to attend in person, the meeting will be live-streamed via Microsoft Teams. Interested individuals can request a virtual attendance invitation by emailing NAPSO Communications Coordinator Emily Merk at contact@napso.info
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First Virtual Central Committee Meeting
Date: Monday June 17, 2024, 10am PST.
Topics for the virtual Meeting:
Topics for the Central Committee Meeting will focus on Organizational Development of the North American Potato Storage Summit.
- Introduction of Founders Committee
- Purpose of NAPSS
- Mission Statement
- Understanding purpose of meeting. Not sales, but research based
- Entity Structure (Chair, Treasurer, Recorder, Sub-committee Chairs)
- Topics for Conference Formation
- Future Board of Directors
Presentation and agenda:
The presentation by NAPSO Founding Members during the meeting and the agenda can be viewed as a pdf file here.
