Join Zeke Jennings, the managing editor of Spudman magazine, as he talks with growers about their jobs, their philosophies, current trends in potato growing, and more!
Zeke Jennings is the managing editor of Spudman magazine, a print and online publication dedicated to the U.S. potato industry.
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Episode 26: Hollee Alexander, 2022 Spudwoman of the Year with Hollee Alexander, National Potato Council Episode #26 — April 18, 2022
Hollee Alexander of the National Potato Council talks about how Potato Expo started and has evolved over the years, including through a pandemic.
Episode 25: Shawn Boyle, Idaho Grower Shippers Association with Shawn Boyle Episode #25 — February 03, 2022
Shawn Boyle of the Idaho Grower Shipper Association discusses supply chain issues, the new intermodal rail facility in Pocatello and other topics.
Episode 24: Vision 2026 Seed Certification Project with Greg Ebe, Don Sklarczyk Episode #24 — February 02, 2022
Greg Ebe and Don Sklarczyk discuss the National Potato Council's Vision 2026 seed potato certification project.
Episode 23: John Toaspern, Potatoes USA with John Toaspern Episode #23 — November 19, 2021
John Toaspern, chief marketing officer at Potatoes USA, joins The Potato Field to talk market prospects for the U.S. potato industry.
Episode 22: Kam Quarles, National Potato Council CEO with Kam Quarles, National Potato Council Episode #22 — November 10, 2021
Kam Quarles of the National Potato Council talks about the state of the potato industry as 2021 winds down.
Episode 21: Eric Schroeder, Schroeder Brothers Farm with Eric Schroeder Episode #21 — July 26, 2021
Former Spudman Emerging Leader Award winner Eric Schroeder of Schroeder Brothers Farm in Wisconsin joins “The Potato Field” to talk seed potato growing.
Episode 20: Kam Quarles, National Potato Council with Kam Quarles Episode #20 — July 16, 2021
National Potato Council CEO Kam Quarles joins “The Potato Field” to give updates on trade with Mexico, ag labor reform and to preview the NPC’s upcoming summer meetings.
Episode 19: Tom & Corrie Enander, Enander Seed Farm with Tom Enander, Corrie Enander Episode #19 — June 29, 2021
Tom and Corrie Enander of Enander Seed Farm in Grenora, North Dakota join "The Potato Field" to talk early-generation seed potatoes.
Episode 18: Sara Corey Parker, Corey Farms & Seed Pro with Sara Corey Parker Episode #18 — June 14, 2021
Sara Corey Parker of Corey Farms and Seed Pro shares thoughts on early-generation seed production, favored varieties and rising costs of storage climate control.
Episode 17: Angela Santiago, The Little Potato Company with Angela Santiago Episode #17 — May 31, 2021
In 1996, Angela Santiago and her father, Jacob VanderSchaaf, founded what would become The Little Potato Company, which has grown into a hugely popular brand of creamer potatoes.
Episode 16: RJ Harvey, Potatoes USA with RJ Harvey Episode #16 — May 17, 2021
As culinary director of Potatoes USA, RJ Harvey is responsible for creating potato recipes that will excite chefs, foodservice operators and consumers. He’s created hundreds of recipes and worked with thousands of people to educate on the health benefits and versatility of potatoes.
Episode 15: Nora Olsen, University of Idaho & 2021 Spudwoman of the Year with Nora Olsen Episode #15 — May 03, 2021
Nora Olsen, our 2021 Spudwoman of the Year, joins the podcast to talk about her career at the University of Idaho, which has focused largely on better practices for potato storage.
Episode 14: Connor & David Wallace, Wallace Farms & CODA Farm Technologies with Connor Wallace, David Wallace Episode #14 — April 19, 2021
Brothers Connor and David Wallace of Wallace Farms and creators of CODA Farm Technologies join "The Potato Field" podcast.
Episode 13: Britt Raybould, Raybould Brothers Farms with Britt Raybould Episode #13 — April 05, 2021
Britt Raybould, who helped guide the National Potato Council through the 2020 pandemic crisis, talks potato farming and industry issues.
Episode 12: Harry & Amber Strohauer, Strohauer Farms with Harry Strohauer, Amber Strohauer Episode #12 — March 22, 2021
The challenging water situation in Northern Colorado in the early 21st century had Strohauer Farms looking to adapt. Today, the longtime potato growers not only grow conventional, but a wide range of organic and specialty potatoes. The father-daughter team of Harry and Amber Strohauer joins “The Potato Field” to share their farm’s evolution.
Episode 11: Justin & Sander Dagen, Dagen Farms with Justin & Sander Dagen Episode #11 — March 08, 2021
The father-son team of Justin & Sander Dagen joins "The Potato Field" to talk growing seed potatoes in Northern Minnesota, the success of their tile moisture removal system and longer rotation cycles.
Episode 10: Beau Hartline, Alsum Farms & Produce with Beau Hartline, Alsum Farms & Produce Episode #10 — February 21, 2021
Beau Hartline is a farm manager at Alsum Farms & Produce, a large potato-growing farm in central Wisconsin.
Episode 9: Grant Morris, Schneider Farms with Grant Morris Episode #9 — February 08, 2021
Grant Morris of Schneider Farms in Washington talks about the COVID impact on the potato industry, interacting with elected officials and why the Russet Burbank is the standard by which every new potato variety is judged.
Episode 8: Guthry Laurie, Walther Farms with Guthry Laurie Episode #8 — January 25, 2021
Guthry Laurie, one of the farm managers of Walther Farms in Michigan, a major chipping potato producer, joins The Potato Field podcast.
Episode 7: Don Flannery & Jake Dyer, Maine Potato Board with Don Flannery & Jake Dyer Episode #7 — January 11, 2021
Don Flannery and Jake Dyer of the Maine Potato Board talk seed supply, soil, new varieties and life growing potatoes in Aroostook County.
Episode 6: Carissa Olsen, NoKota Packers with Carissa Olsen Episode #6 — December 28, 2020
Carissa Olsen, CEO, of NoKota Packers in North Dakota, talks potato growing in the Red River Valley, business, challenges (and opportunities) presented by the pandemic.
Episode 5: Cully Easterday, Easterday Farms with Cully Easterday Episode #5 — December 14, 2020
Cully Easterday joins Spudman editor Zeke Jennings to talk about Easterday Farms, a potato and onion farm in the Columbia Basin.
Episode 4: Andrew Mickelsen, Mickelsen Farms with Andrew Mickelsen Episode #4 — November 30, 2020
Mickelsen discusses the 2020 growing season, labor challenges COVID has created and the soil in Idaho, where potatoes flourish.
Episode 3: Alison & Ben Sklarczyk, Sklarczyk Seed Farm with Alison & Ben Sklarczyk Episode #3 — November 12, 2020
Alison & Ben Sklarczyk, who own Sklarczyk Seed Farm potato tissue culture lab and greenhouse in Northern Michigan, join Spudman editor Zeke Jennings to discuss their business, which produces more than 5 million minitubers each year.
Episode 2: Amanda & Braydon Wakasugi, San Acacio Seed with Amanda & Braydon Wakasugi Episode #2 — October 30, 2020
Amanda and Braydon Wakasugi join Spudman editor Zeke Jennings to discuss their multi-farm San Acacio Seed potato partnership in Colorado's San Luis Valley. They talk about irrigation challenges in the valley, the diverse soil conditions and why being highly isolated is a big benefit for seed growers.
Episode 1: RJ Andrus, Idahoan Foods with RJ Andrus Episode #1 — October 08, 2020
RJ Andrus isn’t just in one potato field, he’s in many fields. As the senior manager of raw procurement for Idahoan Foods, Andrus works closely with contract growers to make sure there are always potatoes to process. He’s also a member of the National Potato Council’s executive committee. Andrus talks about his upbringing, challenges facing growers, his advocacy work and what it was like trying to find John Keeling’s replacement.
