In 2012 a $500,000 commitment from the Oregon Potato Commission created an endowment to help fund a plant breeder to lead OSU's potato development efforts. Holders of this position work to create new varieties of potatoes that are more nutritious and resist pests and diseases, including late blight. They also circulate new information to farmers and processors. As of 2022, the fund honors Marty Myers, a 1977 OSU alumnus who was general manager of Threemile Canyon Farms near Boardman and a member of the Oregon Board of Agriculture.

The Oregon Potato Commission is one of 25 agricultural commodity commissions in Oregon. It was formed in 1949 to represent the potato industry in educational, trade development, research, legislative affairs, and public relations activities.

Current Faculty Holder

Sagar Sathuvalli