Generation Farms Lead the Way in Sustainable Potato Farming
Potatoes have been a staple of the American diet for hundreds of years, first appearing in the original American colonies in the early 1700s. Since then, knowledge of how to cultivate them has been passed down from one generation of farmers to the next, with many potato farms remaining in the same family for decades. These generation farms do more than just pass on knowledge; they create it, developing new technologies and techniques to advance the science of agriculture and improve the yields of potato crops.
Of course, each new generation also faces new challenges. In particular, modern farms have grappled with the need for sustainable farming practices, particularly as the demand for crops increases while access to resources diminishes. Fortunately, generation farms in Washington State continue to lead the way in sustainable, economically viable potato farming, ensuring that this important crop continues to be readily available in a changing world with an ever-increasing population.
Our goal at the Washington State Potato Commission is to support the local potato industry, both agriculturally and economically. This means investing in sustainability and continuously searching for the best farming practices available to modern farms. Below, we’ll discuss the role that generation farms have to play in this ongoing process, leading the way in sustainable potato farming.
What Is a Generation Farm?
Generation farms refer to farms that have been passed down, usually along a family line, from one generation to the next. In the past, this was how farming always worked: children born into farming families would eventually become farmers themselves, and one day their children would inherit the family farm as well.
Today, generational farming is decreasing, with many farms being sold instead of passed down through families. In some cases, large corporations are taking over farm operations. However, there are still many benefits of farms remaining within the same family. By the time they enter the business officially, young farmers will already be greatly familiar with the ins and outs of the farm’s operations, which in turn can minimize the difficulty of the transition process.
A farm that has been in the same family for years has also had a great deal of time to build a reputation for providing quality crop yields to its local community. These communities depend on generational farms to provide them with a reliable source of staple crops.
What Do We Mean by Sustainability?
In agricultural terms, sustainability refers to the ability to maximize crop yields using minimal resources. For example, most crops require vast amounts of water to thrive. As a result, they can end up straining the supply in an area. In turn, without adequate water, the crop will be limited in what it can produce. A more sustainable crop, then, would be able to grow more while requiring less water.
Other resources must be utilized in a sustainable manner as well. Soil is another key one. Growing plants, particularly ones like potatoes, which depend on a certain amount of nutrients in the soil, can quickly render the soil too barren to grow anything else. Sustainable farming practices also seek to improve the viability of soil so that it can be reused for multiple crops year after year.
How Do Generation Farms Pioneer Sustainability?
Potatoes, as a crop, are generally more sustainable than many other staple foods. They utilize resources more efficiently than many others. However, many generation farms are working to maximize that efficiency even further.
There are certain basic methods that are employed—ones that have been handed down throughout the generations—such as crop rotation. Crop rotation is a technique where different plants with different nutritional requirements are grown in alternating seasons. This prevents soil from being stripped of nutrients too quickly and allows it to become replenished before the staple crops (in this case, potatoes) are grown there again.
Modern farmers in the state of Washington are also making use of cutting-edge technology to maximize yields while minimizing resource consumption and economic impact. For example, farmers can now make use of GPS technology to pinpoint the exact perfect locations for planting. By removing guesswork from the process, they can make use of existing resources more efficiently.
The Environmental Impact
Sustainable farming also means “greener” farming, which reduces the impact of the agricultural industry on the environment and decreases carbon emissions produced during the process.
One way that this is done on Washington’s generational potato farms is through the use of advanced, computerized irrigation methods. Some of these methods include the use of moisture sensors to ensure the water that is supplied to a crop is exactly what is needed—no more, no less—as well as built-in weather forecasting technology. Advanced methods of water delivery, such as subsurface drip irrigation, can also reduce a farm’s overall water usage.
Reducing a farm’s environmental impact also requires cutting back on chemicals, such as fertilizers and pesticides, to have the smallest impact on the surrounding plant and animal life. Methods for reducing pesticide use include making the switch to alternative, natural methods of pest reduction, as well as using advanced technology to track pest activity in an area. The same is true for fertilizers: technology can help reduce the need for harmful chemicals, while more environmentally friendly tactics can be implemented at the same time.
If You Want to Learn More
Generation farms are one of the most important ways farmers are ensuring a greener and more productive future for potato cultivation. The Washington State Potato Commission works to educate the public about the importance of advancing farming methods to increase the overall yield of potato crops.
There are many reasons why this is crucial: successful farming is key to the local economy, and sustainable farming is critical in an ever-changing world. If you want to learn more about what we’re doing to improve the industry, explore our website today, and don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions.
