Potato, potahto, vegetable or grain? Episode 141

The humble potato: is it a vegetable or a grain?

Coming from a family that has farmed America’s favorite vegetable (yes, we’ll refer to the potato as such), Mitchell Searle offers a unique perspective on the cultivation, harvesting, and sustainability of this crop.  

While Searle expresses concern about what he perceives as the growing chasm between the farm and the consumer, he emphasizes that many of the misconceptions surrounding potato farming are largely unfounded. 

“Sustainability is my number one focus every day,” says Searle. “Is my workload sustainable? Are my tillage practices sustainable? Is my business structure sustainable to be passed on to the next generation? Everything boils down to sustainability. His family has farmed for over 100 years, so they should know. 

Listen in as Searle discusses biological vs. chemical practices, how interest groups shape policy, and his very down-to-earth potato consumption preferences.

Visit potatoesusa.com for more or connect with Mitchell Searle on LinkedIn.