Storage Symposium
The 2025 PAA Symposium brings together leading potato storage experts from academia, industry, and international research to discuss the latest insights in storage chemistry, structure design, and regulatory impacts. Presented by the Potato Association of America (PAA) Utilization and Marketing Section & the North American Potato Storage Organization (NAPSO).
Monday, July 28 | 1:00 - 4:30pm
Single day rates available for Monday, July 28.
The European Experience in Storing Potatoes
Presented by Kürt Demeulemeester
Vice-President | European Association for Potato Research (EAPR)
Kürt Demeulemeester is a prominent figure in the field of agricultural research, particularly known for his contributions to potato research. He currently serves as the Vice-President of the European Association for Potato Research (EAPR) and is actively involved with Inagro, a leading agricultural research organization based in Belgium.
Kürt holds a Master's degree in Agricultural Sciences from Leuven University, where he specialized in crop protection and agronomy. He started his professional career in 1997 working in independent and applied potato research and moved to Inagro in 2003 where he became responsible for potato research. In 2011 Kürt became responsible for the arable crop department of Inagro, and expanded his scope from potatoes to all major arable crops. Nevertheless, potatoes stayed a major focus in his research work, and in 2015 research projects where setup on sprout suppressants in potatoes.
Throughout his career, Kürt has been dedicated to advancing agricultural practices and improving crop yields. His work at Inagro focuses on innovative research and development in agronomy, pest management, and sustainable farming techniques.
In addition to his role at Inagro, Kürt has been a key member of the EAPR, where he has contributed to various initiatives and conferences that bring together researchers and industry professionals from around the world. His efforts have helped to foster collaboration and knowledge sharing within the agricultural community.
Navigating the Disease Landscape of Russet Potato Variety Susceptibility
Presented by Jeff Miller
Miller Research LLC
Jeff Miller was raised on a research farm in southern Idaho. He earned a B.S. degree in Botany—Biotechnology from BYU in 1994 and M.S. (1996) and Ph.D. (1998) degrees in Plant Pathology at Washington State University working on potato late blight. Jeff worked for two years at the University of Minnesota and six years at the University of Idaho in Aberdeen as a potato pathologist conducting research on diseases important to potatoes. Jeff now operates his own private research business in southern Idaho, Miller Research, where he conducts research on crop production and pest management. Jeff also currently serves as Treasurer on the Executive Board for the Potato Association of America.
Presented by Nora Olsen
Professor | University of Idaho, Kimberly Research and Extension Center
Dr. Nora Olsen is a professor of plant science and potato specialist with the University of Idaho. She received her M.S. and Ph.D. in Horticulture from Washington State University. Her research and extension program for the past 25 plus years has focused on potato field and storage management, sprout and disease control, seed physiology and performance, harvest and handling management, and cultivar evaluations. She has presented over 600 extension and scientific presentations and co-authored over 600 scientific and extension deliverables. She is an Honorary Life Member and a past-President of the Potato Association of America.
Storage Structures: Potato Storage Design and Engineering
Presented by Mark Rice
Business Development Leader | Construction Industry Expert | Agricultural Facility Specialist
Mark Rice began his career in the construction industry at the age of 18, working on his first potato storage project. He has since developed a wealth of experience, particularly in the agricultural sector. Mark took on a professional role at Hansen-Rice 15 years ago, where he advanced to a leadership position in business development. In this capacity, he has spearheaded the design and construction of numerous potato-related projects, managing both project development and client relations. Mark spun off the Agricultural division of Hansen-Rice starting his own company McGowan Rice Construction in 2022 which focuses on Agricultural related and Industrial construction.
Throughout his career, Mark has been an active participant in industry trade shows and conventions, where he’s gained valuable insights into the latest trends and innovations in the food and agricultural industries. He holds a certification in hygienic design for food facilities, further solidifying his expertise in building facilities that meet the highest standards of food safety and cleanliness.
Mark graduated from Whitworth University with a Bachelor of Arts in International Business and Business Management, equipping him with a strong foundation in both global business strategies and management principles. His experience and education have made him a respected figure in the construction industry, with a particular focus on agricultural and food-related infrastructure.
Storage Panel
Moderated by Gustavo Teixeria
Assistant Professor and Potato Postharvest Physiologist | University of Idaho, Kimberly Research and Extension Center
Dr. Gustavo Teixeira is an Assistant Professor and Potato Postharvest Physiologist at the University of Idaho’s Kimberly Research and Extension Center. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Agronomy from the Federal University of Lavras, Brazil, and earned both his master’s (2000) and Ph.D. (2005) from São Paulo State University (UNESP), with part of his studies conducted at the Department of Primary Industries in Queensland, Australia. Dr. Teixeira has an extensive background in research and academia, having served as a Food Science Researcher at the Brazilian Ministry of Science and Technology (MCT), Semiarid National Institute (INSA), an Assistant Professor of Food Science and Nutrition at the University of São Paulo (USP), and an Associate Professor of Fruit Crops at UNESP. From 2017 to 2019, he completed a sabbatical at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia. Currently, Dr. Teixeira focuses on innovative postharvest technologies to assist Idaho potato growers, processors, and shippers in reducing waste. His research explores advanced techniques, including the use of LED lighting to manage sprouting, near-infrared spectroscopy for predicting phytochemical content in specialty potatoes, temperature-dependent wound-healing metabolism, pressure bruise simulation and browning, and hyperspectral imaging.
Storage Panel Panelists
Dale E. Nelson
Co-owner | Nelson Storage Systems, Inc.
Dale E. Nelson, has dedicated over 46 years to the advancement of vegetable storage systems. With a degree in refrigeration from Redwing College, Dale embarked on a career that saw him work for three major storage ventilation companies. His vast experience and innovative approach culminated in the founding of Nelson Vegetable Storage Systems Inc. in 2006. Dale's expertise in storage design, sprout control, and disease management has been indispensable to potato producers across North America. Dale has also contributed to the design and implementation of the UW Hancock research facility and two private research facilities.
Beyond his contributions to the North American market, Dale has consulted in 22 different countries, sharing his comprehensive understanding of storage principles and management. His insights have been instrumental in preventing millions of tons of potatoes from spoilage. Dale's career is a testament to his dedication, ingenuity, and profound impact on the potato industry, ensuring the preservation of this vital crop.
AJ Bussan
Chief Agricultural Officer | Wysocki Family Farms
AJ Bussan grew up on a 160-acre dairy farm in Cuba City, WI. AJ received his B.S. in Soil and Crop Science and Chemistry at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, his M.S. in agronomy at the University of Minnesota, and his Ph.D. in Agronomy at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. AJ was an assistant professor at Montana State University in Bozeman, MT, where he worked as the state extension specialist in Cropland Weed Science from 1997 through 2001. AJ moved back to Wisconsin in 2001, where he served as Professor of Horticulture at UW-Madison and worked as the state extension specialist in Potato and Vegetable Cropping systems until 2014. While AJ was with UW-Madison, he worked with the industry and colleagues in the public and private sectors to build the UW Potato and Vegetable Storage Research Facility at the UW-Madison Hancock Ag Research Station. In 2014, AJ resigned from UW to serve as the Senior Agronomist for Wysocki Produce Farms and is now the Chief Agricultural Officer for Wysocki Family Farms. Wysocki Family Farms stores nearly 5 million cwt of potatoes annually that are sold to Frito Lay for chipping, McCain Foods for frozen processing, and Paragon Potato Packing for fresh market.
Morgan Smolarek
Field Manager | McCain Foods
Morgan Smolarek is a Field Manager at McCain Foods in Plover, Wisconsin, where she plays a pivotal role in promoting sustainable agriculture across the company’s potato supply chain. Her work centers on cultivating strong partnerships with local growers to support regenerative farming practices and ensure long-term land stewardship.
Beyond her professional responsibilities, Morgan is actively involved in community and industry initiatives, serving on the Associate Division Board of the Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association (WPVGA).
Outside of work, Morgan enjoys spending time outdoors with her husband and their two young children, embracing the same values of sustainability and connection to the land that guide her professional life.
