News on Potato Cultivation from Maine

PRESQUE ISLE, Maine -- January 4, 2023 -- Mario Andrade, assistant professor of potato breeding and genetics at the University of Maine in Orono, stands in a potato field at the Aroostook Farm in Presque Isle during the September 2022 harvest. Andrade too

January 10, 2024

New head of breeding program wants to save Maine potatoes from climate change

DNA science is gaining ground in agriculture, and researchers are using it to develop potatoes that will thrive in Maine’s changing climate.

McCrum: The success and legacy behind the thriving potato processing operation

July 06, 2023

McCrum: The success and legacy behind a thriving potato processing operation in Maine

There aren't many farms in Maine that can boast they've been owned by the same family for more than 130 years. One of those is the McCrums.

August 06, 2022

Maine’s foremost potato expert is bringing his expertise around the world

Maine — Potato farmers depend on Steve Johnson. At least they did for 34 years. Now Johnson, who retired on June 30, is taking his expertise to other parts of the world.

Maine Potato Board Announces 2022 Industry Recognition Award

June 26, 2022

Winslow family of Mapleton receives the 2022 Maine Potato Industry Industry Recognition Award

The Maine Potato Board has selected the Victor and Gloria Winslow family of Mapleton for the 2022 Maine Potato Industry Recognition Award. This year’s recognition is awarded under a new, broader category for individuals

November 16, 2021

Trucking shortage hinders sale of record Aroostook County potato harvest

Aroostook County (Maine, US) may have pulled a record potato harvest out of the ground this year, but transportation slowdowns and a driver shortage are making it difficult to get the crop to market.

October 19, 2021

It's shaping up to be a banner year for Aroostook County (Maine) potatoes

Don Flannery, president of the Maine Potato Board, is not calling it a record year — yet. But with over 80 percent of this season’s potatoes out of the ground, the longtime industry expert said yields are shaping up to be above average.

September 14, 2021

Aroostook County potato experts expect high quality crop in 2021

Aroostook County agricultural growers are predicting a higher quantity and quality of potato crop than was produced in 2020, due to the less severe weather this summer.

October 15, 2020

Maine, US: Drought shrinks Aroostook County potato yields

This year’s potato harvest was met with an unrelenting drought that diminished crops and tied up water resources for Aroostook County, Maine farmers.

Leavitt Farms recognized as top potato grower for McCain Foods Easton

September 03, 2018

Leavitt Farms recognized as Champion potato grower for McCain Foods Easton

The Top 10 Potato Growers for the McCain Foods Easton, Maine French Fry plant were recognized at the annual McCain Grower Barbecue at the Presque Isle Inn and Convention Center in Presque Isle last month

August 12, 2018

Range of potato experiments underway at Maine Research Farm (Aroostook)

Farmers, researchers and members of the public gathered at the University of Maine’s Aroostook Research Farm in Presque Isle last Wednesday to learn about the latest in potato research.

July 12, 2018

Maine potatoes healthy, despite heat and lack of rain, but the amount of precipitation remains a concern

Despite widely fluctuating temperatures and a lack of rain, the executive director of the Maine Potato Board said Monday that the state’s potato crop remains healthy.

October 19, 2017

Dan Blackstone of Caribou, Maine has been selected as the 2018 Young Farmer of the Year

The Maine Potato Board has announced that Dan Blackstone of Caribou has been selected as the 2018 Young Farmer of the Year.

September 14, 2017

Even With Lack of Rain, Maine Potato Crop Looks Good

As the potato season in Maine is coming to an end, John Jemison, a soil and water quality specialist for the University of Maine is reflecting on the season and what the harvest might bring.

June 29, 2017

Maine Potato Board Names 2017 Farm Family of the Year

The Maine Potato Board has selected the Steve and Fred Whited family of Bridgewater as the 2017 Farm Family of the Year.

June 27, 2017

To protect crops, farmers could promote potato beetle cannibalism

UMaine scientists say farmers could try to protect their potato crop by utilizing agricultural practices — including crop rotations and push-pull strategies — to create field conditions that favor Colorado potato beetle cannibalism.

February 07, 2017

Potato growers in Maine apply soil fumigation in a trial of McCain Foods

French Fry manufacturer McCain Foods has started trials examining soil fumigation with several of its potato growers in Maine (United States) and New Brunswick (Canada).

February 01, 2017

Field Peas show promise in Maine Potato Crop Rotation Research

In the search for a third rotation crop for potatoes, trials at the Aroostook Research Farm in Presque Isle are showing some promise for field peas, a crop that once had a successful run in the region until the 1970s.

January 26, 2017

Bob Evans Foods agrees to buy the Pineland Farms Potato Company in Maine

Pineland Farms Potato Company, Inc. (PFPC), located in Mars Hill, Maine confirmed the signing of a Stock Purchase Agreement with Bob Evans Foods (BEF)