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And they intend to continue that tradition. It's readily apparent that Ophelie is eager to learn and work, and that she feels comfortable and respected by her dad and grandfather on the farm. "I'm so proud the younger generation is interested in doing business in potatoes," says Gaston. "This is a great family tradition." JULY 11, 10:18 A.M. Cultures Chouinard, Saint-Arsène Pierre-Luc Chouinard is a young guy with a huge grin and a booming voice. And his farm on the eastern shore of the St. Lawrence River—which is about 10 miles wide at this point—is in about the prettiest spot you can think of. Just outside the village of Saint-Arsène, the land gently rolls up from the river; there aren't too many spots on the Chouinard place you can't see the water. In spite of that, though, Chouinard has struggled over the last couple years to keep his 800 acres—250 in seed potatoes—watered. Only about 40 percent of his farm is set up with irrigation. Usually a wet environment, Quebec has seen two consecutive years as dry as anyone can remember. "The season is not easy here," he says. "We have a really short season, and when we don't get rain, it can be really difficult. "But I love to grow potatoes," Chouinard continues with that enormous grin. "I like to work in the field. I like working with our team. I like being the one making decisions. I really enjoy managing the fields, the crops, the people all together." JULY 12, 9:26 A.M. United Flight 4483, somewhere over Lake Michigan It's been a pretty good trip. And you know, I like those guys in Quebec. They know how to treat a guy well, they live in a beautiful place, and they sure as heck have figured out how to grow potatoes. I think I'll come back someday. WWW.POTATOGROWER.COM 19 Ten-pound bags of potatoes with the Propur logo—the brand for all Québec Parmentier-marketed table potatoes—await their journey from the packing shed in Saint-Ambroise to retailers around eastern Canada. From left, Gaston, Ophélie and Matieu Bouchard cherish their family's role as pioneers in Quebec's agricultural history. A Canada staple: wild blueberry poutine from Ferme Michel Rivard et fille Kevin Rivard's farm is notable in that it grows potatoes for seed as well as table stock.