We don’t live in Idaho, but we grow potatoes, and have for years. People have asked us, “Why are there so many potato farms in Idaho instead of all over the U.S.?”.
The quick answer is that potatoes are grown on farms outside of Idaho, but Idaho has some of the best conditions for growing potatoes. Idaho has some of the most experienced farmers to grow and store some of the best potatoes available.
What is it about Idaho that is so special to growing potatoes?
When you search around you can find that Idaho has pretty much perfect conditions to grow potatoes. Everything from climate conditions, to soil, to clean water, clean air, and experienced farmers. Potatoes are a major industry to the state and is a huge contributor to the economy, so potatoes are heavily supported statewide.
The Soil
At one point in Idaho’s history the state was covered with volcanoes. All the volcanic activity provided a lot of nutrient rich material, and brought it to the surface. As the volcanic rock, debris, and ash eroded and broke down it created some great well-draining soil that is perfect for agriculture, especially growing potatoes.
The soil itself is fertile and full of nutrients and trace minerals that aid in the growth of the spuds. The farmers work carefully to cultivate the soil and keep it producing quality potatoes year after year after year.
The Climate
The potato was originally discovered and cultivated in the mountains of Peru. The climate they were found in is very similar to the climate in Idaho. Idaho has a good long growing season. The days get hot with a lot of sunshine. The nights cool down offering the conditions for healthy potato plants.
Many assume that it would only take hot days to grow potato plants well. Idaho has some great hot sunny days, but the cool nights are important. The hot sunny days really get the green part of the potato plants growing. The hot sunny days allow the plants to utilize photosynthesis and transfer energy from the sun and the soil into the plant.
The cool nights are equally as important for the potato plant and production of good potatoes. After the long hot day, the leaves and the potato plant are full of nutrients. When the night cools down the nutrients created in the leaves of the plant get pumped down into the development of the tubers on the root of the plant. The tubers are the recipients of all the hard work of the leaves. The cool nights are one of the keys to the great quality of the Idaho potatoes.
The air
The clean, clear, dry air also contributes to the success of Idaho’s potato crop. The more humid and polluted the air is the more heat and toxins get trapped in it. With heat being trapped it keeps the night air from cooling down enough for the potato plants to produce good tubers.
Toxins in polluted air can hamper growth of the plant. Polluted air will also diffuse the sunlight and keep the plant from growing as well. Idaho has great air for growing potatoes.
The water
The water supply in Idaho comes mainly from snowfall and a little rain. They average snowfall is 38.9 inches, and 12.2 inches of rain a year. The majority of water used for irrigation comes as the snow melts throughout the growing season.
Idaho agriculture has had the need to develop the water resource to meet the demand. There are extensive systems of reservoirs, canals, pipes, and ditches to get the water to the fields. Much of the agriculture is pumped water as well.
Good management of the water resource is key to having a sustained crop year after year. The snow melt needs to be used for irrigation, replenishment of aquafers, and a flow needs to remain for the fish and wildlife.
There is still a lot of volcanic activity. The result is a lot of geothermal water to work with as well. This can complicate the issue of irrigation. The geothermal water sources are viewed as green energy and so the value of irrigation versus other uses for geothermal water can get complicated.
The resultant water used for potato growth is clean and free from pollution. Much of the water is fresh snowmelt from the mountains.
The farmers
The farmers themselves are also key in Idaho being a great place to grow potatoes. Many of the farmers in Idaho have been potato farmers for generations. With generations comes rich strong knowledge and skill to grow great potatoes.
To be an Idaho potato farmer you need to produce, or you fail. If you fail, there is not much of a safety net to save the farm. It’s almost a “Be productive or die” scenario.
Due to this risk most farmers will help each other. When a new technology is invented or discovered they are willing to share information. When challenges in weather or equipment come in to play, the farmers will help each other.
One example was the fall of 2019. There was a late spring planting in 2019. This resulted in the hope of leaving the potatoes in the field a little longer in the fall. The fall had some early hard frosts. Many farmers were caught off guard and scrambled to get their crop in early. Some farmers could not get their cop in on their own quickly enough.
Many farmers banded together and were able to jointly get the crop in. When the unharvested fields of potatoes were worked by several machines and farmers the result was amazing. The spuds came in at record speed and with a smile. This resulted in good friendships, better supply of potatoes for the consumer, and a better economy for Idaho.
The farmers themselves are a tremendouse resource and are some of the biggest reason Idaho has great potatoes.
The support as an industry
The potato industry in Idaho accounts for a large portion of Idaho’s gross product. The growing and harvesting of potatoes is only one part of the industry. The potato reaches far beyond the farm when it comes to the economic impact to Idaho.
According to the University of Idaho extension service. Idaho produces 30% of the U.S. potato crop. Idaho produces an amazing 40% of all the U.S. processed potato products. Idaho also packs and provides on third of the entire U.S. fresh potato shipments.
The industry of potato production, processing and packing ripples throughout the entire state. You will probably be hard pressed to find a job that isn’t affected by potatoes in Idaho.
Again, according to the Idaho State extension service, the potato industry provided:
- 15,500 jobs
- $3.4 billion in sales of potatoes and potato products
- $720 million in added value
- $490 million in income.
The economic impact of Idaho’s potato industry reaches beyond the boarders of the state as well. Sales and potato products of Idaho’s potatoes outside of the state was $2.2 billion in one year.
The total impact of the Idaho potato industry in one year, according to the University of Idaho extension service included:
- 39,500 jobs
- $6.7 billion in sales
- $1.9 billion in value added
- $1.3 billion in income
The potato has really been a boon to agriculture and agribusiness in Idaho. The development of the potato in Idaho has been a huge benefit for Idaho itself as well as the entire country. There are also a lot of Idaho spuds sent beyond the U.S. boarders. Many a potato chip and fry from Idaho have been eaten all over the world.