36 Potato Grower | March 2014
they do where they do it.
"That's one of the things we've learned
over time, is that we can't just go plant in
bare ground because it blows so bad here,"
says Keith barrett.
being one of the only growers in Texas
gives the barretts a few unique advantages
to go along with those challenges. each
year, the barrett farms harvest between
1,000 and 1,500 acres of reds and russets,
all grown for the fresh market under pivot
irrigation. Much of their crop will stay
in Texas, but they also ship a lot to the
potato-needy areas of the deep South
and Northeast. "We have a huge freight
advantage over growers in the West when
it comes to shipping east," says Keith.
When asked what challenges facing
the potato industry are the most pressing,
Keith doesn't hesitate. "The biggest
challenge is supply and demand and trying
to define consumption of potatoes," he
says. "I feel like a lot of times we're our
own worst enemy fighting over what we're
producing. The market will always fix
itself; growers need to trust that."
The barretts have trusted the market,
their techniques, and hard work, and it's
paid off. Potato production might not be
bigger in all of the lone Star State, but up in
the Panhandle, it's safe to say that it is. PG
Grower oF the month
by tyrell marchant I Photos courtesy barrett Farms
