University Helps Michigan Farmers Boost Performance
More than 70% of the Michigan’s annual 1.7 billion pounds of potatoes go toward chip production and over 25% of potato chips in the United States are filled with Michigan-grown potatoes.
Chris Long, Michigan State University Extension potato specialist, leads the Potato Outreach Program, which supports potato growers by conducting on-farm research and demonstration trials on all aspects of potato production.
“Without the research and outreach coming out of MSU, the state’s potato industry could be 20 years behind from where it is now,” says Kelly Turner, Michigan Potato Industry Commission (MPIC) executive director.
“The MPIC is a tremendous funder of my research, but they also set priorities and the bull’s eye for what we are trying to accomplish,” says Long.
“The research really is what has moved Michigan forward and put us on the map in the potato industry nationwide,” Turner says. “MSU is nationally recognized for the work that they do. When talking to some of our largest growers, they have placed their success squarely on the shoulders of the research that’s been done at MSU.”
