Boise, Idaho
April 1, 2009
Source: University of Idaho
AgKnowledge 244
A federal marketing grant awarded
to the Idaho Bean Commission and Idaho State Department of
Agriculture has grown into a rewarding partnership with the
University of Idaho’s
Foundation Seed Program at Kimberly, Idaho companies, and bean
producers in Mexico.
The grant, said
Kathy Stewart-Williams, foundation seed manager, helped
“promote Idaho certified seed and expand sales into Mexico
because we grow fantastic seed here in Idaho.” From 2004 to
2008, Global Trade Information Services reported Mexico’s dry
bean seed imports from Idaho more than doubled from 23 to 52
percent of market share, said Diana Caldwell, Idaho Bean
Commission executive director.
The first year of field trials in Mexico’s rich agricultural
Sinaloa proved the program’s potential in 2006. “We learned
Idaho seed held up really well in their production conditions,”
Stewart-Williams said. She presented a popular planting seminar
at Mexico’s largest agricultural expo in February. “It’s always
fun to talk to people who are excited about what you’re doing.
And they’re very interested in it,” she said. |
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