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The Idaho Potato Museum is a unique museum which appropriately showcases Idaho’s Famous Potatoes®. Located in the old Oregon Short Line Railroad Depot you’ll discover the world of potatoes. The rich graphics showcasing the history of the potato will lead you through the revolution of the potato industry from its origins to the largest potato crisp made by the Pringle’s Company in Jackson, TN.

You’ll be intrigued as you stroll through the historic building which was built in 1912. Once a bustling flurry of activity, the stone depot represents significant ties between the railroad and the potato industry. The Potato Museum provides information on potato history, the growing and harvesting process, nutrition, trivia and educational potato facts. Watch a short video presentation on how the potato industry has developed.

The museum is located in downtown Blackfoot, Idaho at 130 NW Main St. Parking with ADA access and plenty of room for Motor Coaches and RV’s. Relax in the small park with a picnic area. The next time you’re in “The Potato Capital of the World,” or just passing through, please take some time to tour the Idaho Potato Museum.

Museum Hours: 

September to May:  Monday - Saturday 9:30 am to 5:00 pm.

June, July and August: Monday - Saturday 9:30 am to 7:00 pm and Sunday 9:30 am to 5 pm.

The Idaho Potato Museum has many great exhibits for you to enjoy. Learn the history behind the Museum and potatoes in Idaho, check out some unique artifacts, race some potatoes, and much more!

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Big Idaho Potato Truck begins 10-year anniversary tour

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BOISE, Idaho — The Big Idaho Potato Truck is once again hitting the road for its nationwide tour and, in 2022, the Gem State icon is celebrating its 10-year anniversary.

To begin the tour, history was made in Boise Friday as the Big Idaho Potato Hotel, the Big Idaho Potato Truck and the New Year's Eve Potato were all displayed together for the first time. 

The potato trio held a public photo opportunity Friday morning at the Big Idaho Potato Hotel, located at 31581 S. Orchard Access Road. Idaho Potato Drop CEO Dylan Cline said there are four Idaho potatoes in total.

"First being the Idaho Potato truck, the second being the first iteration of the New Year's Eve Idaho Potato, the third being the Glowtato - which we also have out here and the fourth being the second iteration of the Idaho Potato Truck," Cline said.

The Big Idaho Potato Truck began touring the United States in 2012 as a celebration of the Idaho Potato Commission's 75th anniversary. The tour's success never slowed and the commission said its goal is to promote "the certified heart-healthy Idaho Potato and its mission to help small charities in towns and cities with its 'A Big Helping' program."

According to a news release from the commission, the American Heart Association's Boise chapter is the recipient of the Big Idaho Potato Truck's "A Big Helping" charity this year.

During the truck's nationwide tour, it also identifies other charities in areas it visits to help give "A Big Helping" based on the charities needs, according to the Famous Idaho Potato Tour's website .

"We wanted to get all three potatoes out here to celebrate the 10th anniversary of our Big Idaho Potato Tour," said Kyle Rauterkus, Traveling Ambassador with the Idaho Potato Commission. "Talking about where they are going on the Potato Tour … It's probably the coolest job in the world as far as I know, man."

Interested individuals can keep up with the truck's Famous Idaho Potato Tour by visiting the tour schedule here . According to the schedule, the Big Idaho Potato Truck will be making its first stop on March 5 at the '8th Annual Cruise for a Cure' in Louisiana. 

"Personally, being involved with the Idaho Potato Commission and Idaho Potatoes is really a blessing," Cline said. "Growing up in Idaho we were surrounded with the potato as our number one agricultural crop and you know at one point, you might take advantage of the fact that potatoes have really built Idaho into what it is today, financially, structurally, culturally. I'm just proud to be a part of something that is so synonymous with a healthy environment, with just a wholesome product that a state can be proud of, community can be proud of as a whole."

February is National Heart Month and Idaho potatoes are certified by the American Heart Association as a heart-healthy food.

The Big Idaho Potato Truck Tour gets underway Monday, Feb.28. The Big Idaho Potato Tour's Facebook page provides updates, photographs and videos during the nationwide tour, as well as the truck's tour schedule page .

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Idaho Potato Museum

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Located in the old Oregon Short Line Railroad Depot you’ll discover the world of Idaho’s Famous Potatoes. The Potato Museum provides information on potato history, the growing and harvesting process, nutrition, trivia and educational potato facts. While at the museum, visitors can take their photo with the museum’s giant baked potato, visit the Spud Sellar Gift Shop and treat themselves to a hot baked potato or homemade fries from the Potato Station Café!

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Before it was an AirBnB, this giant Idaho Potato went on tour

If you're looking for a one-of-a-kind getaway, you don't have to go coastal or tropical to find something unique. A stay in a giant potato would certainly set you apart, and you can do that right here in Idaho for $207 a night, in the Big Idaho Potato Hotel just outside Boise.

The six-ton potato used to be part of the Idaho Potato Commission’s Big Idaho Potato Tour truck, where it traveled to 48 states over the course of seven years promoting the "certified heart-healthy Idaho Potato," according to the AirBnB posting. But how did it go from the back of a truck to a vacationable-spud?

Kristie Wolfe was a member of the "Tater team" that traveled with the Big Idaho Potato Truck for two years, according to a news release from the Idaho Potato Commission.

“The Big Idaho Potato Hotel allows people to experience Idaho in a unique way,” said IPC president and CEO Frank Muir. “The IPC was happy to let Kristie convert a hallmark of the Idaho potato brand into a permanent destination that can be enjoyed by visitors from all over the world.”

Wolfe is no stranger to the short-term rental business – in addition to the potato, she owns four other AirBnBs, in Idaho, Washington, Oregon and Hawaii. Wolfe got started on this journey by building a tiny home before most people knew what they were and before they were all “tricked out,” in her words. She said hers was basically a shed on wheels.

“I wasn’t making a lot of money at the time.I did shift work in a factory, but by building my tiny house and buying a very cheap piece of land on the outskirts of Boise, I had eliminated nearly all of my bills, and I thought maybe I could do this again,” said Wolfe.

So, she bought land in Hawaii off of Craigslist and built a treehouse.

“If it rented for eight days a month, that would replace my factory job and worst case scenario it didn’t work, my friends and family would have a vacation home!”

Wolfe has now been doing AirBnB management full-time for about 10 years. She said she doesn’t have very many typical days in her line of work, but usually makes time to hike with her dog, Patsy. The rest of the day is spent either driving from build to build, working on the properties and doing computer work every few days.

Whatever build she is working on, Wolfe gets to spend a lot of time there. Last year, she got to live on the Oregon coast for about five months working on the Cocoon Cottage. Wolfe's mother did a lot of pretty extensive DIYs in their homes growing up, so she had a good base knowledge.

“Even though I had many other jobs, I always had a remodeling project on the side. Building my first vacation home is what made me be able to go full-time.”

As far as the Potato goes, it is booked out two to three months in advance, but cancellations happen from time to time. Wolfe said she loves the creativity her guests bring to the space.

“They come in costumes. Sometimes they write poems and sonnets. It’s really cool to also see people celebrate special occasions. I’ve had engagements, weddings and even babies conceived at all my properties.”

And worth a mention: If you stay at the Idaho Potato Hotel, you also get a really cute, fluffy guest.

Right now, Wolfe is in Salmon, Idaho reworking her first family AirBnB which she calls the Shipwreck located on a high Mountain Lake.

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Big Idaho Potato Truck Celebrates 10 Years

Ten years ago, the Big Idaho Potato Truck hit the road for a year-long tour to celebrate the Idaho Potato Commission’s (IPC) 75th anniversary. Fast-forward a decade and three giant taters later, and we see a national phenomenon that folks still clamor to photograph and share on social media. The Big Idaho Potato Truck was the inspiration for the New Year’s Eve Potato Drop and Big Idaho Potato Hotel, which have both been recognized by media around the globe.  

In the 1950s, a drawing of a giant potato featured on a flatbed truck with the slogan “We Grow ‘em Big in Idaho” became an iconic image for the state famous for its 40-count bakers. Folks could only dream of a giant potato until the IPC brought the image to life. The 75th Anniversary Tour of the Big Idaho Potato Truck was such a hit, it’s had 10 encores, with no plans of slowing down. 

The Big Idaho Potato Truck quickly became the cornerstone of the IPC's marketing programs. “We estimate that every year tens of millions of people see the Truck – either in person, on television in the commercials, through social media posts or from all the publicity it generates,” explained Jamey Higham, President, IPC.  “The Truck has become a part of pop culture in a relatively short period of time. It’s an accomplishment that we’re extremely proud of.”

New Year’s Eve Idaho Potato & Big Idaho Potato Hotel

One year after the Big Idaho Potato Truck hit the road, the  New Year’s Eve Idaho Potato  was lowered at the stroke of midnight in front of the Idaho State Capital building before a crowd of 40,000 revelers. Footage of the unique drop gets picked up by news stations all over the world as part of their New Year’s Eve coverage.

When the original potato on the Big Idaho Potato Truck became to road-weary to travel, it was planted in Boise, Idaho and has been described as one of the most unique rentals on  Airbnb . 

THE 2022 IDAHO POTATO TRUCK TOUR

Meet the tater team.

The Driver : Melissa (#SpudRacer) is a native Idahoan, who grew up in McCall, Idaho. She has been driving the Big Idaho Potato Truck for three years and has been spreading her infectious smile across the country! Melissa is excited to be back on the road celebrating the Truck’s 10-year anniversary!

Tater Team : Kyle (#Spudacus) is the newest addition to the Tater Team. Kyle graduated from Boise State University in 2019 and enjoys skiing at the local ski resorts and hanging out on pontoon boats in McCall, Idaho. Fun fact, Kyle can play five instruments! He loves talking music so be sure to share your favorite tunes when you see him out on the road!

Tater Team : Willy (#TinyTater) is the most petite person who has ever been part of the Tater Team. Willy is a first-generation immigrant from the Philippines and is a United States Navy veteran. Now, she’s living happily in Boise, Idaho and serving smiles with the #BigIdahoPotatoTour!  

Where’s the Truck Going Next?

Over the past 10 years the Big Idaho Potato Truck has participated in some of the biggest events in the country including the Kentucky Derby, the Hollywood Parade and the Memorial Day Parade in Washington, D.C. The Truck was invited to the set of American Idol, it drove around the Poconos NASCAR race track and it toured NYC on a barge in the Hudson River. 

This year there are several ways for folks to follow the Big Idaho Potato Truck Tour and plenty of opportunities to see it in person.

BigIdahoPotato.com  The Truck’s official website, including a calendar of all the Truck’s appearances.

Potatotracker.com  Provides a real-time feed of where to find the oversized spud at any given time.

Social media channels will continue to provide spud lovers with direct interaction with the Tater Team and the latest news on the tour: 

Facebook:  Big Idaho Potato Tour

Instagram: @bigidahopotato

Twitter: #bigidahopotato

A Big Helping

The charitable component of the Tour, A Big Helping, has worked with more than 200 hundred charities across the country. Most events the Truck is invited to attend have a charity partner. At these events the Tater Team will set up a signature board for folks to sign; for every signature collected one dollar (up to $500) is donated to the non-profit.

Tater Trivia

When folks first see the Truck, the most frequently asked question is still…Is it real? We’ll never tell, but if it is, it would…

Make 20,217 servings of mashed potatoes!

Make more than 1 million average-sized French fries

Take over 7,000 years to grow!

And in case you’re wondering, the giant fiberglass tater weighs 4 tons, which is approximately the weight of 21,562 medium-sized Idaho potatoes.

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Idaho Potato Farm Tour

Sharon Palmer

Published on November 3, 2014

Updated on October 13, 2020

It was really fun learning all about how potatoes are grown during an Idaho potato farm tour this fall. It’s really sad how the lowly potato—a simple, little plant-powered food—has gotten such a bad rap in recent years. As my readers know, I think potatoes are fabulous, you just have to use care over how you prepare them (avoid large amounts of unhealthful fats), and be sure to use portion control—a rule that applies to many foods. During my potato tour, I saw a potato straight from the farm that weighed about 1 pound! Of course, that’s an anomaly. Keep in mind that a serving is about 5 ounces each and you’ll be fine! Potatoes are America’s favorite veggie—we eat about 110 pounds per year! Most Americans like their potatoes baked—my favorite way to enjoy these tubers, too.

I started my farm tour in Idaho Falls, Idaho—a prime growing region for potatoes. On the road to the hotel, we spied potato farms—in the middle of harvest time, and potato sheds dotting the landscape. Every year, Idaho produces 13 billion pounds of potatoes! 94% of those are Russet potatoes, while the other 6% is specialty varieties, such as gold, red, and fingerlings. Why does Idaho seem to be the perfect spot for cultivating spuds? The rich volcanic soil, warm days and cool nights, and water from the Idaho mountains seems to give potatoes just what they want!

I learned all about potatoes during my trip to Idaho. I already knew that potatoes are rich in vitamin C (45% Daily Value in one potato), potassium, vitamin B6, and fiber. One potato only has 110 calories, which is a very satisfying food for that calorie payback. What I didn’t know is that the potato industry has been working diligently with fast food restaurants to ban trans fats in French fries for a while now—this type of fat is virtually eliminated in restaurants. And schools do not fry French fries—they oven bake them (a really healthy way to eat potatoes).

Potatoes—which grow in tubers under the ground—are the energy storage containers for the potato plant. The original potato is traced back to the Peru/Bolivia region, but they have since spread across the world and are enjoyed in many traditional diet patterns—from India to China. The potato “seed” is actually a chopped up potato which is planted under the ground and later will grow into a vine, with the tubers growing under the ground. When it’s time for harvesting, the vines are killed so the nutrients go to the tubers, and then they are harvested mechanically and placed in huge storage sheds before the potatoes are transported to be processed.

If it’s a whole, fresh potato (such as you find at the supermarket in bags), it’s simply washed, sorted, and stored. If it’s turned into a product (such as french fries or frozen potato products), the potato is simply washed, sorted, cut, precooked, and frozen. If it’s going to be turned into mashed potato flakes, the potato is simply washed, cooked, and run through a machine that creates a thin paper-like sheet of potatoes, which is cut up into flakes. Many of the potato farms across Idaho are family-owned; in fact we visited a potato farm at the James Joff Farm and had a lovely farm to fork dinner there.

The second day of our potato farm tour, we got to visit Lamb Weston to see how potatoes are turned into French fries. It was a much more simple process than I had suspected: Bring in mountains of potatoes, clean them, slice them, and precook/fry them, then freeze and package them.

Next up: the Wada Farms tour, where we got to see how fresh potatoes are processed. We saw mountains of potatoes, which were cleaned and packaged for shipping out.

The next day we visited Idahoan to see how they turn fresh potatoes into instant mashed tators. It was fascinating to see mounds of potatoes fashioned into vats of mashed potatoes, which are then pressed into sheets of potato “paper” to become small flakes, which can be reconstituted into mashed potatoes at home.

Teton Springs Lodge, Idaho

The final leg of our potato tour was Teton Springs Lodge, in the majestic Teton Mountains, where we got to experience the true culinary arts of cooking with potatoes. Chef Rick Sordahl created a magnificent wine and small plates reception, with tempting tiny bites of potatoes, such as gold potato cups filled with asparagus.

For dinner, we made our way to the Linn Canyon Ranch for a dude ranch meal, which started with cocktails and appetizers by a roaring bonfire, and ended with a farm fresh table, inspired by vegetables from the garden on the ranch. It was a truly magical evening!

To learn more about the healthy benefits of eating potatoes, as well as delicious, creative ways to include potatoes in your meals, visit:

Alliance for Potato Research & Education United States Potato Board Idaho Potato Commission

For some of my favorite healthy potato recipes, check out:

Mashed Potatoes and Heirloom Carrots with Basil, Garlic, and Olive Oil Red Potatoes and Rosemary Terrine Vegan Guinness Stew

Note: I am not a spokesperson or profiting from these products or companies; just providing my own unsolicited opinion about popular products, services, and organizations in the food world today!

• Travel and Farm Tours

4 thoughts on “ Idaho Potato Farm Tour ”

I am interested in visiting a farmer for a farm tour in September to observe harvesting of Idaho potato.Can yu direct me to a local farmer that can honor my request . Thanks Daniel Igwe

Hi Daniel, this was a private tour so I’m sorry that I can’t help, but you can check with a local farmer to see if they might be able to organize one. Thanks!

Where can I find a potatoe farm tour in Idaho? You don’t mention where you where. Thank you.

Hi, thanks for your interest. This was a private tour for dietitians arranged by the Potato Commission. However, I have found that if you contact local farms in your area they are more than happy to let you come by and learn about how they grow food. Sharon

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USDA Announces Appointments to the National Potato Promotion Board

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced the appointment of 32 members to the National Potato Promotion Board. Appointed are 30 producer members and two importers to fill three-year terms expiring Feb. 28, 2027.

Appointed Producer Members:

• Jaclyn Green, Edison, Calif.
• Cliff Shaw, Monte Vista, Colo.
• Daniel J. Corey, St. Augustine, Fla.
• Brad Reed, Pingree, Idaho
• Derek Peterson, Rexburg, Idaho 
• Jaren Raybould, St. Anthony, Idaho
• Jace Jensen, Idaho Falls, Idaho 
• Jordan C. Thomas, Rupert, Idaho
• Nate McBride, Rupert, Idaho
• R. Gabriel Boldt, Idaho Falls, Idaho
• Steve Elfering, Meridian, Idaho
• Trevor Searle, Burley, Idaho
• Adam DeGroot, Saint Anne, Ill.
• Danny Deprey, Mars Hill, Maine
• Ryan Tucker, Shelbyville, Mich.
• John Halverson, Arbyrd, Mo.
• Tara May, O’Neill, Neb.
• Brian Mahany, Arkport, N.Y.
• Hunter Gibbs, Swan Quarter, N.C.
• Andrew Moquist, Crystal, N.D. 
• Camburn Shephard, Crystal, N.D. 
• Kathy Sponheim, Urbana, Ohio
• Jason Davenport, Boardman, Ore.
• Jonathon Springstead, Boardman, Ore.
• H. Bruce Richardson Jr., Capeville, Va.
• James Baker, Moses Lake, Wash.
• Michael M. Pink, Eltopia, Wash.
• Shelley R. Olsen, Othello, Wash.
• Travis Meacham, Moses Lake, Wash.
• Wendy Dykstra, Friesland, Wis.

Appointed Importer Members:

• Clifton Smith, Bancroft, Wis.
• Sanjiv Kakkar, Princeton, N.J.

The National Potato Promotion Board has 82 members, including 79 producer members, two importer members, and one public member.

More information about the board is available on the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS)  National Potato Promotion Board webpage and on the board’s website  www.potatoesusa.com .

Since 1966, Congress has authorized the development of industry-funded research and promotion boards to provide a framework for agricultural industries to pool their resources and combine efforts to develop new markets, strengthen existing markets and conduct important research and promotion activities. AMS provides oversight of 22 boards, paid for by industry assessments, which helps ensure fiscal accountability and program integrity.

AMS policy is that diversity of the boards, councils and committees it oversees should reflect the diversity of their industries in terms of the experience of members, methods of production and distribution, marketing strategies and other distinguishing factors, including but not limited to individuals from historically underserved communities, that will bring different perspectives and ideas to the table. Throughout the full nomination process, the industry must conduct extensive outreach, paying particular attention to reaching underserved communities, and consider the diversity of the population served and the knowledge, skills and abilities of the members to serve a diverse population.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender

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New Idaho Falls Police Department complex to be unveiled and you’re invited to take a tour

EastIdahoNews.com Staff

The following is a news release from the Idaho Falls Police Department.

IDAHO FALLS – On Tuesday, April 23 at 1:30 p.m. a ribbon cutting ceremony will be held for the long-awaited Idaho Falls Police Complex. The Idaho Falls Police Complex at 775 Northgate Mile stands as the city’s first consolidated and standalone facility for the Idaho Falls Police Department. The facility, which brings all of IFPD’s police officers, support staff, specialty vehicles, and equipment to one location, will allow IFPD to be more accessible to the community, and enhance police services in Idaho Falls.

Prior to moving to the Idaho Falls Police Complex, the police department was split between eight different buildings, with staff on a day-to-day basis at six of those locations. This fragmented approach to housing the department negatively affected the department’s ability to be accessible to the public, to solve crimes, and to best address public safety needs in the city.

The Idaho Falls Police Department moved into its previous primary location, the Bonneville County Law Enforcement Building, in 1978. As the city and police department grew in the past few decades, IFPD was unable to expand within the Bonneville County Law Enforcement Building. Instead, the department expanded into additional locations downtown and in other areas of the city. These spaces were often borrowed from or shared with other City departments, and one was even temporarily donated by a private business. Prior to 1978, IFPD had historically shared facilities with other City departments in City Hall, with the Idaho Falls Fire Department, and even occupied a small space on the second floor of a building on Park Avenue.

The Idaho Falls Police Department and the City of Idaho Falls have been concerned about police facilities since the early 2000s. A study conducted in 2003 found that the facilities were inadequate at that time – 20 years ago. Since then, similar studies were conducted by three separate architectural firms and two committees of Idaho Falls community members. Each firm and citizen’s committee independently confirmed the need for a new police facility.

The most recent citizens review was conducted in 2019 by the IFPD Facilities Evaluation Citizens Committee. The committee unanimously recommended “that the City of Idaho Falls pursue a dedicated and consolidated police facility in order to best serve the law enforcement and public safety needs of Idaho Falls. It is also our recommendation that this be put into motion as soon as possible and not risk any further delays, as has happened in years and decades past.”

In late 2019, the City of Idaho Falls purchased the Idaho Livestock Commission property, commonly known as the “Stockyards”, as the intended home of the Idaho Falls Police Department. The stockyards closed in 2019 and the property was placed on the market. Multiple properties were considered prior to purchasing the property, including green/brownfield sites, empty big box stores, and properties with existing structures. Ultimately the stockyard property was selected based on property size and cost associated with the site, but also proximity to high crime areas, the potential impact on redevelopment of the area, and a number of other factors.

The City conducted a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) process to search for an architectural firm to design the new police facilities. In April of 2020, the project was awarded to a partnership of two firms – Architects Design Group, a national firm that specializes in police facilities, and NBW Architects, a local Idaho Falls based architect.

The Idaho Falls Police Complex was built within a $30 million budget and funded through Certificates of Participation. Certificates of Participation is a funding mechanism that allows governmental entities to secure financing for capital projects without incurring long term debt. The financing comes in the form investor purchased certificates, which are repaid over time in the form of lease revenues, as opposed to bond interest. This funding mechanism allows the City to make payments for the new facility from the existing tax base and revenues from impact fees, rather than increasing taxes on Idaho Falls citizens. This financing model also allowed the City to begin work on the facility immediately, taking advantage of historically low-interest rates in 2020 and to get ahead of continually rising construction costs.

In March of 2022, the Idaho Falls City Council approved the bid award for the Idaho Falls Police Complex to Ormond Builders, an Idaho Falls based construction and contracting firm that was founded in 1980. The construction team broke ground in April 2022.

Construction on the Idaho Falls Police Complex was recently completed and the department has been moving into the facility over the past few weeks. The lobby will be accessible Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Police officers can be reached around the clock by calling Idaho Falls Police Dispatch at (208) 529-1200.

Community members are welcome to attend the ribbon cutting, which will take place at the main entrance on Tuesday, April 23rd at 1:30 p.m. The Idaho Falls Police Honor Guard will conduct a flag raising ceremony, raising the national, state, and city flag for the first time at the complex. Idaho Falls Mayor Rebecca Casper and Chief of Police Bryce Johnson will also share remarks.

Community members are invited to tour the Idaho Falls Police Complex and to see and hear first-hand how the facility will enhance police services in our community. Tours must be scheduled in advance and can be requested on the Idaho Falls Police department website .

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U of I Celebrates 31 Years of Engineering Innovation at Engineering Design EXPO April 26

April 23, 2024.

MOSCOW, Idaho — The public is invited to experience the many ways University of Idaho engineering students are making a difference and solving real-world problems during the 31st Engineering Design EXPO Friday, April 26.

Student teams will present projects from 9 a.m. to noon Friday, April 26, in the ICCU Arena on the Moscow campus. Project details are available to browse online .

Team projects are the culmination of the U of I College of Engineering’s Interdisciplinary Capstone Design Program, recognized by the National Academy of Engineering as one of the top seven in the nation for infusing real-world experiences into undergraduate education.

A group of computer science and biological and mechanical engineering students are partnering with Whitman Hospital in Colfax, Washington, to improve medical devices used in real-time x-ray imaging during complicated surgical procedures.

The college’s longstanding partnership with NASA continues as a team of capstone students is working to advance NASA-patented unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology. The student team is using NASA’s UAV design for a critical use in the Pacific Northwest — identifying wildfire hot spots.

The U of I’s first cohort of undergraduate cybersecurity students will present their small-scale model of an industrial control system at EXPO. The system is low-cost, modular and can be run in a virtual environment to perform critical cybersecurity-related research.

Senior Director of U.S. Expansion Planning at Micron Technology Jeff Binford will deliver the EXPO’s keynote address 12:30 p.m. Friday, April 26, in the ICCU Arena.

Binford’s more than 20-year professional career has been with Micron Technology, working in planning, operations and strategy roles in Idaho, Utah, Virginia, Japan and Singapore.

He recently moved into a new role as senior director of U.S. expansion planning, setting the strategy and building a comprehensive plan for Micron's more than $100 billion semiconductor fabrication facility expansion in Idaho and New York, the largest expansion in U.S. history to increase domestic supply of leading-edge memory chips.

Students will also publicly present their projects virtually 2-5 p.m. Thursday, April 25, and Friday, April 26.

Media Contact:

Alexiss Turner Marketing & Communications Manager College of Engineering 208-885-7511 [email protected]

About the University of Idaho

The University of Idaho, home of the Vandals, is Idaho’s land-grant, national research university. From its residential campus in Moscow, U of I serves the state of Idaho through educational centers in Boise, Coeur d’Alene and Idaho Falls, nine research and Extension centers, plus Extension offices in 42 counties. Home to nearly 11,000 students statewide, U of I is a leader in student-centered learning and excels at interdisciplinary research, service to businesses and communities, and in advancing diversity, citizenship and global outreach. U of I competes in the Big Sky and Western Athletic conferences. Learn more at uidaho.edu .

Highland Park

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The Idaho Potato Commission

Established in 1937, the Idaho Potato Commission (IPC) is a state agency that is responsible for promoting and protecting the famous “Grown in Idaho®” seal, a federally registered trademark that assures consumers they are purchasing genuine, top-quality Idaho® potatoes. Idaho’s ideal growing conditions, including rich, volcanic soil, climate and irrigation differentiate Idaho® potatoes from potatoes grown in other states.

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