February 2020 - 22

IRRIGATION & WATER MANAGEMENT
Irrigation efforts help Irving Farms' potato industry success
Bob Irving was a big proponent of building ponds to collect irrigation water. That's been the key for the operation in recent years with a stretch of dry summers. Photo: Zeke Jennings
By Zeke Jennings
VGN Correspondent
The Irving family has been growing
potatoes in Aroostook County,
Maine, since the early part of the
19th century. The Irvings are wellknown
for their quality spuds, but
these days they're becoming known
for a specific up-and-coming variety
- the Caribou russet.
Robbie Irving, a sixth-generation
member of the family to farm, shared an
example of that reputation gaining legs.
" I was able to go to (the 2019) Potato
Expo, and Colin Szawlowski (of SWAZ
Potato Farms in Massachusetts) was
introducing me to some guys, " Irving said.
" They said, 'Oh, you're the Caribou guy.' "
Caribou, of course, is the name of a
small town in Maine not far from the
Canadian border, which happens to be
home base for Irving Farms. It's also
the name chosen for a russet variety
developed by University of Maine potato
breeding program that's fast gaining a
reputation for its consistent uniformity
and strong culinary qualities.
Caribou russets also have been
marketed as Maine-grown potatoes
both on packaging for retail and on
restaurant menus. Irving Farms, which
has its own marketing division led
by Jeff Irving - Robbie's uncle - has
been at the forefront of that effort. The
operation, which also is a prominent
Irving Farms owns nine center pivots, seven of which were in operation in 2019. The
Irvings upgraded to an automated irrigation system in 2018 that allows for remote
monitoring and control. Photo: Zeke Jennings
packer-shipper with 15 trucks in their
fleet, has " Caribou russet " or " Maine
Potatoes " imprinted on its packaging
and boxing.
The team also works with customers
We are the exclusive dealer for
RUSTY'S AG EQUIPMENT
- whether foodservice or retailers
- to encourage that the branding be
displayed prominently.
" The Caribou russet has really
opened up marketing to the foodservice
industry, " Robbie Irving said. " We
mostly sell to the commercial grocery
stores, but now we're starting to get into
foodservice. It's a winner.
" They're using it for french fries (and)
Potato Digger De-mulching rake
Harvest cart
baked potatoes. We're selling 80 counts
mostly (to foodservice). We've had great
reception and feedback. "
The farming portion of the operation,
Veggie till
Tiny-till multi-tool Demulching brush
ROETERS FARM EQUIPMENT, INC.
231-834-7888 roeters.eq@att.net
WWW.ROETERSFARMEQUIPMENT.COM
565 East 120th Street - Grant, MI 49327
20 | VegetableGrowersNews.com
led by Robbie and Scott Irving -
another uncle - grew Caribous on
nearly half of the 920 acres they grew
spuds in 2019. They also grow reds and
yellows for table stock and Burbanks
for the processing market. McCain
Foods and Penobscot McCrum have
processing plants in Aroostook County.
" We grow Superiors for the early white
market, as well as a late variety which is
a Harley Blackwell, " Robbie said. " We're
growing Dark Red Norlands and Keuka
Golds for the red and yellow markets.
Robbie Irving holds up a few Caribou
russets in early August, weeks prior to
harvest. Photo: Zeke Jennings
For the other table russets, we're growing
Norkotahs and Goldrush.
" We're trying to hit all the markets. "
Irving Farms' fresh-processing ratio
is 80-20, with the majority going to the
fresh market. Their acres grow potatoes
every third year, typically, with rotational
crops including winter rye, oats, barley
and a clover mix. Also, they collaborate
with Smith Farms on acreage that
includes a broccoli rotation.
Meeting challenges
Aroostook County, home to farms

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February 2020

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