National Potato Council CEO Kam Quarles said improvements can be made to the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program. The potato industry would like to see adjustments to the reference period, among other things. “In order for farmers to participate in the program, they have to document losses at or before April 15. In that time, this crisis was just taking off,” said Quarles. “If the USDA moves the reference period, even to the end of the federal fiscal year in September, it will give the USDA a chance to quantify what part of agriculture is really suffering.” Northern Plains Potato Growers Association President Donavon Johnson said a few potato growers in the Red River Valley have received payments, but the association hasn’t been able to get confirmation on the exact number. Hear the story.