Potato News from Maine

The people behind one of Loring Commerce Center’s major new developments plan to begin construction by late July 2024

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

Although in its early stages, the proposal to set up a potato chip plant has gained approval from Fort Fairfield town officials and holds the potential to rejuvenate the local economy, which has suffered from the closure of major industries and businesses in recent years.

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.

The Penobscot McCrum potato factory in Belfast will not be rebuilt after a massive fire destroyed the facility one year ago.

Scientists at the University of Maine are evaluating if lobster shells can cultivate beneficial microbial communities that ward off soil borne potato pathogens.

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.

Gregory Porter, professor of agronomy in the University of Maine School of Food and Agriculture, will receive an Honorary Life Membership from the Potato Association of America (PAA) at the organization’s annual meeting in July 2022.

Potato processor McCain Foods is building five solar facilities in Maine, that it says will help power the production of french fries in Easton, one of its largest plants.

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

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.

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.

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.

Greater understanding of the biology of one of the most destructive plant viruses to potato crops will be the focus of a research hub at the University of Maine.

A new potato chip manufacturing facility promises to bring changes to small, rural Pownal.

McCrum: 'This project with Kiremko and Idaho Steel was a big project for our family. Trust with Kiremko and Idaho Steel has grown from day one. Our family considers them as partners now.'

Two University of Maine researchers, Greg Porter and Han Tan, are part of a team of plant geneticists and breeders working to develop tools that will help Maine scientists and farmers become more efficient in bringing novel, improved potato varieties to market.

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