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V O L . X X X I N O. X I I J U N E 2 , 2 0 2 5 18 A G R I C U LT U R E / A Q UA C U LT U R E F O C U S "ey've made a commitment to improve things in Maine," says Gerritsen. Gerritsen applauds the fact that the new plant will give a new market for the many Maine potato farmers who grow potatoes for processing, noting the many Maine potatoes grown for chips end up being processed at a Frito-Lay plant in Connecticut. Whereas seed potatoes and table stock are sold on the open market, the price for processed potatoes is generally more stable, according to Gerritsen. "ey know what price they are going to be getting for their potatoes," he says. In a business with slim margins, price stability can be crucial. Gerritsen notes that growing potatoes for seed, for example, can be quite different than growing potatoes for processing. "It's apples and oranges. It's two entirely different things," says Gerritsen. He notes that seed growers often kill their potatoes early, to initiate an early harvest and potentially avoid disease. Growers cultivating a crop for process- ing are aiming for tonnage. For now, Brian Guerrette of Guerrette Farms in Caribou mostly sells fresh potatoes. But that could change with the Taste of Maine plant opening nearby. Getting into the nitty gritty of making potato chips, Guerrette says that the variety grown is key because chipping potatoes have to have a higher dry matter than fresh potatoes. Another concern is the color of the chips — many consumers are used to a light color chip. Certain varieties pro- duce a lighter chip than others. Guerrette, like many potato farmers in the region, see Taste of Maine Potato Chip Co. as a bright sign for the future of Aroostook County. "Any local use for the product is better than any other," Guerrette says. "We have an opportunity because we can go either fresh or processed pota- toes with the new plant." John O'Meara, a f reelance writer, can be reached at editorial @ mainebiz.biz ACCESS COLLABORATIVE LENDING SOLUTIONS: Expand Your Loan and Lease Offerings for Ag & Forestry Clients Agri-Access specializes in secondary market financing for agriculture, aquaculture, forest products and rural land, providing capital for community banks across the nation. Visit our website at agri-access.com Matthew Senter Vice President – Lender Relations Phone: 507-810-0837 matthew.senter@agri-access.com Learn to make a difference. Developing leaders who lead with heart! " Service has always been a core value, but joining the SJC community gave me the guidance and support to put it into action. My roots can be traced back to this campus and I'll be forever grateful." Get started today at sjcme.edu/difference Ray Ruby '05 Executive Director Maine Cancer Foundation Proud Alum of Saint Joseph's College of Maine Any local use for the product is better than any other. We have an opportunity because we can go either fresh or processed potatoes with the new plant. — Brian Guerrette Guerrette Farms » C O N T I N U E D F RO M P R E V I O U S PA G E Potato blossoms stretch toward a distant mountain in this view from Fort Fairfield. F I L E P H O T O / F R E D F I E L D

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