One may never have heard of Potatoes USA, but if you are one of the 2,000 family farms throughout the U.S. who grow potatoes, you’d understand that it is a big deal to have members of the potato board visit your farm.  

That’s what happened at Ewing Farms in Becker on Thurs., July 11.  Blaire Richardson, President of Potatoes USA, and eight other board members — who are all potato farmers themselves — were given a tour of Ewing Farms in Becker by owner, Pete Ewing.  The visit was one of three to Minnesota this year.  The members came to get a better understanding of the potato industry and the people who grow them. 

Growing Potatoes

Ewing Farms is a family business and as Pete prepared to meet the members of Potatoes USA, he checked in with his wife, Brenda, daughter Mckayla, and son Jackson, who were busy working in the office.  Pete also mentioned that his other son Nathan was spraying a nearby field.  His brother Willy and father Jim, also work at the company, but were unable to be present for the tour. 

The Ewing family has been growing potatoes since 1965.  Pete bought out the family in 2019 and this year the farm will produce 28 million pounds of potatoes.  That may seem like a lot, but for Pete, he still considers Ewing Farms to be a small operation.  

“We’re small potatoes,” he joked. 

Once they begin harvesting, some of their red and yellow potato varieties will be shipped to Cub Foods and Coborn’s in Minnesota.  Many of their potatoes will ship to the East Coast, including grocery chains Kroger and Market Basket, among others.   According to Potatoes USA, 85% of U.S. households buy potatoes.  They also make up 10.8% of all vegetable sales in grocery.  

Potatoes are a big deal and for one Thursday in July, Ewing Farms was a big deal too.