Potato farming has a long history in eastern North Carolina. Originally, farmers and laborers planted, harvested, graded, and transported potatoes through intensive manual labor. Over time, mechanization increased efficiency by using machines to cut and plant seed potatoes, dig crops out of the ground, and grade potatoes by size. Today, most potatoes are processed into frozen and snack foods rather than shipped fresh, though potatoes remain an important commodity and dietary staple.

1. History of Potato Farming EASTERN NORTH CAROLINA

5. Potato farming progressed dramatically through the years. In the early days, family members and workers would cut potatoes, making sure they had an eye in each cut. They would fill bags with these seed potatoes and put them around their waist making it easier to take one out and plant it.

6. This highly intensive labor method was replaced by a horse-drawn potato planter with two pie shaped bins which dropped seed potatoes in the row. What progress!

7. Today, a computerized potato cutter automatically cuts seed potatoes in 0,2, 3, 4, or 6 pieces depending on the size of the potato.

8. Cut seed potatoes drop into the hopper of an 8 row planter. Dean Walston and Jimmy Harrell of George Wood Farms .

11. Clifton “Moe” Moore, of Griggs Lumber & Produce in Currituck County, cites his father-in-law, Grady Griggs, reminiscing that before the mechanical grader was used in the 1920‘s and 30‘s, potatoes were hand graded in the field. Farmers judged for themselves the size they knew buyers wanted. Laborers tossed potatoes from 11/2 “ to 2” into barrels made locally in Currituck and surrounding counties.

18. Also during those years, spuds were loaded on trucks in the field and shipped out on rail. After the war in the late 40’s and early 50s trucks, not trains, carried most of the produce to markets. Belcross, NC 1940

19. As with digging, grading became more efficient as well. Mr. James Ferebee’s father, Scott Ferebee, bought a Boggs grader that turned with a crank. It was set in a boxcar filling bags of graded potatoes which didn‘t have to be moved until the train pulled into its final destination. Belcross, NC 1940

29. As fewer potatoes were shipped for the table or fresh market most of the potato sheds and labor camps became ghosts of the past. Today there are approximately 6 farmers in NC who pack and ship potatoes in small bags. Labor camp, Belcross, NC Packing shed, Camden County, NC

31. . Now growers no longer sell direct but go through a small number of produce brokers who buy orders of potatoes for the chain stores and other clients. Although supply and demand play a major role in the price of potatoes, today the farmer negotiates his price with a broker or perhaps a chip or dehy manufacturer and signs a contract for a certain number of loads of potatoes. Trucks to be loaded at George Wood Farms, Camden, NC

35. However, in 1996, consumption rose to 140 pounds per person as consumer demand for frozen potatoes and potato chips increased. Spuds make their claim as a major commodity in the snack food industry. Another claim to fame is that in 1995, the potato became the first vegetable grown in space. At left: Marble-sized Quantum Tubers™ were used to grow the potatoes in the background. Credit: NASA.

37. A potato provides 40% of our daily vitamin C requirements. It contains more potassium than a banana. It boasts having no fat or cholesterol. And if you leave the peel on, it provides even more fiber, vitamins, and minerals.

38. From production to consumption, the potato industry has changed drastically through the years. No matter how you eat them, they are still the staple of American and European diets.

39. Credits Bibliography: Oral Sources and photographic sources: Mr. James Ferebee, 87 years old. Former President of James Ferebee and Son farm in Currituck County. Interviewed May 2009. Mr. Tommy Fleetwood, Executive Secretary of the NC Potato Association. Mr. Jimmy Harrell, 72 years old. President of George Wood Farms in Camden County. Interviewed April 2009 Ms. Martha Ferebee Meiggs, President of Ferebee Farms in Camden County. Interviewed May 2009. Mr. Clifton “Moe” Moore, 83 years old. Former President of Griggs Lumber and Produce in Currituck County. Interviewed April 2009. Mr. Matt Wood, Vice President of George Wood Farms in Camden County. Written Source: American Journal of Potato Research. Springer New York, vol. 3, number 12. December 1926. Pages 396-97 Internet Sources: www.coloradopotato.org/colorado_potato_history.php www.loc.gov Jack Delano photographer, July 1940 www.ncagr.gov/agscool/teacher/commodities/potato.htm www.ncagr.gov/stats/index.htm www.ncagr.gov/stats/general/history.htm www.oregonspuds.com/consumer/history.htm www.springerlink.com/content/7r63201n136276g0/ www.wisconsinpotatoes.com/AboutPotatoes/PotatoHistory.html