Potato Grower

Seed Grower of the Year High property prices in the Wood River Valley offer Johnson some unique challenges as a grower. So Johnson partnered with his friend Gerald Bashaw to buy out the Cummins farm, and in 2006, Silver Creek Seed was born. Johnson has since bought out Bashaw's share of the operation and is now the sole owner of Silver Creek Seed. Growing potatoes in Picabo and the surrounding areas brings with it some unique challenges. "The price of property is a lot higher over here than most other places, so we don't own any of the land we farm out here," says Johnson. "Renting ground can sometimes be a problem because most of the ground is owned by wealthy people from other places who don't live up here." "Water is really going to be a big issue in the next year because all the reservoirs are empty in this area," Johnson says. "We're the only potato farm in the valley, and with renting ground, you've got to be competitive with barley and hay. So the water might make it harder this year." Johnson knows that growers everywhere face challenges unique to each situation and that growers have a lot to learn from one another. In his aforementioned roles in several industry trade groups, Johnson has seen firsthand 38 Potato Grower | JANUARY 2014 Located about 35 miles from the famed Sun Valley resort, Silver Creek Seed enjoys a beautiful view in all directions. the power of coming together as an industry. "I feel like being active in those groups, I've learned a tremendous amount of information. With United [Seed Potato Board], we're continuously learning more about how to get better yields. And you learn a lot from your peers. "I'm a seed grower, and sometimes we make some changes in the certification requirements, and it's nice to know," Johnson continues. "If you're not involved in those organizations, I don't know how you get the information you need to know." In the end, though, Mark and Jill Johnson know that it's the simple things that make their business—and life—a success. "You need to stay humble," Mark says. "There's a lot of ups and downs. Try to stay honest and make good decisions. If I can do that, it always works out." PG

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