In fact, Telford suggests the best way
to compose an article about his family's
farm would be to simply ask around the
Idaho potato industry about people's
relationships with him. He has sold seed
across the state for a lot of years, and there
probably aren't many in the industry who
haven't done at least some work with him.
"I don't know what you'll find out,"
he says, "but I'd just as soon have some
unvarnished honesty."
Alas, deadlines for growers and
writers alike made all that legwork a little
too much. But Telford is probably right;
taking a straw poll would make for a fun
story. And though he is a well-informed
grower and a savvy businessman, the fun
of it all is why Mike Telford is still at it.
At 71, Telford shows no signs of slowing
down or wanting to step away from the
farm.
"If you had all the money in the world
and could retire and do anything you
wanted to do, what would you do?" he
asks rhetorically. "My answer would be:
exactly what I'm doing."
He lets loose with that grin and
exuberant laugh again.
"I just wanted to own a piece of the
rock and have a legacy and pass it on."
Bob Telford operates the potato
harvester in early October.
Mike and Mark Telford discuss the progress
of seed potato harvest at their Arco farm.
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