Michigan

Michigan is one of the leading potato producing states in the United States and has a highly developed potato industry spanning more than 40 counties. The state’s Great Lakes climate, relatively cool growing conditions, abundant water resources and extensive areas of sandy, well-drained soils provide favorable conditions for potato production. Commercial production is concentrated particularly in areas such as Montcalm, Bay, Presque Isle, Mecosta and surrounding counties, although potatoes are grown from southern Michigan to the western Upper Peninsula. Michigan typically plants about 46,000–49,000 acres of potatoes annually, producing roughly 1.9 billion pounds in recent years.

Michigan has developed a particularly strong position in the potato chip industry. About 80% of the state’s potato acreage is associated with chip processing production, making Michigan the largest northern supplier of potatoes to the U.S. chipping industry. The state’s potatoes also supply fresh market, seed and other processing markets. The harvest generally begins in July and continues through October, while extensive storage facilities allow Michigan potatoes to reach markets for much of the year. One out of every four bags of potato chips sold in the United States is reported to contain Michigan-grown potatoes.

Variety development and production research are important parts of Michigan’s potato sector. Michigan State University has maintained an integrated Potato Breeding and Genetics Program since 1988, developing varieties suited to chip processing and table stock markets. Breeding priorities include yield, disease and insect resistance, bruise resistance, storage performance, chip color, cooking quality and tuber appearance. Recent breeding efforts have produced varieties such as Manistee, Mackinaw, Petoskey, Huron Chipper and Blackberry, reflecting the industry's focus on reliable processing quality, disease resistance and long-term storage.

Potato cultivation became established in Michigan during the 19^th century as farmers recognized that the state’s climate and soils were well suited to the crop. Early potato production was often associated with land cleared after hardwood forests were removed. European immigrants also contributed to the development of potato farming; Danish settlers, for example, became particularly associated with potato production in areas northeast of Muskegon. By the late 19^th and early 20^th centuries, potatoes had become an important commercial crop, with production expanding substantially. Historical agricultural records show Michigan producing about 23 million bushels in 1900 and reaching approximately 38 million bushels by 1910, when the state ranked second nationally.

During the 20^th century, Michigan’s potato industry shifted from numerous diversified farms and predominantly fresh market production toward larger, specialized operations serving processing markets. Economic changes during the 1970s and 1980s increased demand for potato chips, encouraging Michigan growers and researchers to develop varieties with higher dry matter and better frying characteristics. Michigan State University research, particularly at the Montcalm Research Center, helped support this transition and contributed varieties such as Kalkaska, Liberator and Manistee. The industry subsequently invested heavily in specialized storage, breeding and processing-oriented production. Today, Michigan remains a major U.S. potato state, with its identity particularly tied to chip-processing potatoes and the research and breeding infrastructure supporting that market