Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/264154
34 Potato Grower | March 2014 They say everything's bigger in Texas. bigger personalities. bigger hats. bigger country. bigger men. The lone Star State was the inspiration behind such literary classics as Friday Night lights and lonesome dove. Without Texas, there would be no Waylon Jennings, Kenny rogers or—heaven forbid—George Strait. It has provided America with three presidents and millions of cattle. but when it comes to potatoes, Texas sits just 13th among the 50 states in acres harvested. only one one-hundredth of a percent of Texas' total landmass is dedicated to growing potatoes. but the barrett family of the Texas Panhandle has proven for some 75 years that growing potatoes can be done—and done successfully—in Texas. In 1939, Fred barrett was a potato grower in Wendell, Idaho. That fall, he met a farmer and a real estate developer from Texas who were in Idaho studying irrigation methods. before long, Fred took a trip to the Panhandle with his new acquaintances, and the rest, as they say, is history. In 1940 Fred barrett moved his family south, and today three farms—Springlake Potatoes, richard barrett Produce and Seminole Produce—carry on the barrett name and tradition of excellence. The PerfecT condiTions Barrett Potato Farms oF muleshoe, texas Grower oF the month by tyrell marchant I Photos courtesy barrett Farms