Dave Alexander

Click to listen to this article According to the National Farmers Union (NFU), potato growers receive a paltry 26 cents on a $5.99 bag of potato chips. But chips are not the only discrepancy. Farmers and ranchers receive only about 11.8 cents of every dollar consumers spend on food, a figure trending toward historic lows. Farm bankruptcies rose 46 percent from 2024 to 2025, farm debt levels are at record highs, and input costs continue to rise as commodity prices remain low.

Wednesday, June 24 – UI Kimberly Research and Extension Center, 3806 N 3600 E, Kimberly, ID 83341 Free Registration: 8:00 to 9:00 AM Tour: 9 AM to Noon Sponsored lunch to follow No need to pre-register/ RSVP 3 Idaho pesticide recertification credits anticipated Contact: Albert Adjesiwor, aadjesiwor@uidaho.edu, Ph: 2084236616 or Angela Jackson, amjackson@uidaho.edu, Ph: 208-423-6606 Wednesday, July 15 – Twilight Tour at UI Aberdeen Research and Extension Center, 1693 S 2700 W, Aberdeen ID...

Click to listen to this article By Chad Hutchinson For years, potato production has been measured by inputs—fertilizer, water, fuel, and crop protection products. While these investments are essential, they don’t tell the whole story. A more useful way to think about potato farming is through the lens of energy. Every potato harvested begins as captured solar energy.