Potato harvesting has begun. In the Gallatin Valley, Dutch farmers are reaping the harvest. I wonder if every potato farmer kids have a Mr. Potato Head game. They certainly have a head for growing potatoes.
These Spud Farmers are great at what they do. Dutch farmers arrived in the valley when the pioneers and goldminers arrived. The miners, soldiers, trappers, and people needed to eat. Potatoes were the real gold mine that the Dutch planted.
Many of the valley’s potatoes end up as seed potatoes for Idaho, Maine, and many other states. The Fall harvest is stored in special temperature-controlled warehouses over the Winter, then shipped out to farmers across America. Potato fields are rotated for several years between crops.
Watching the harvest is fun. Large tractors, dump trucks, conveyers and special digging machines roll into action. The harvest has been getting ready for weeks. First the green tops need to be rolled. Then they are dragged off the potato mounds. At first frost, its time to dredge up the crop. Some potatoes are huge! Several years ago, I took one monster potato for a weekend fishing trip, with my kids. We fed on one huge Tate for 3 days!
The potato harvesting dance is amazing for kids to watch. The coordination between diggers and haulers is fun to watch. I have been waiting for harvest time with my grandson. Clyde loves farming and the equipment. After I pick him up at school, we head out to see if the Dutchmen are at work.
Today was the day! I grabbed Clyde and a bunch of grocery bags and headed to the potato fields. We parked next to the field and geared up. Asking permission is always a good idea and the Dutchmen are generous with allowing folks to pick up leftovers.
This was Clyde’s first year when he could really enjoy the picking. It’s like an Easter Egg hunt. He had to learn some skills like don’t drag your bag on the ground, they will tear. A double grocery bag is stronger than just one. Don’t spin the handles, they will break. Work close to the truck to avoid a long carry.
Clyde was the best BIG TATE Hunter I have seen. He could spot a monster Tate at 50 yards. The potatoes are delicious and healthy, but the fun is in the picking. This is a kid friendly sport. The limit is how many can you really use or need. Sharing is a good idea. Clyde found a Heart potato that made the evening!
Every time a dump truck full of potatoes drove by us, the Dutch Trucker waved and beeped his horn. Thousands of geese were flying around us. The sunset was beautiful and brought on the evening chill. It was time to leave. The Dutchmen were still hard at work gleaning their field.
Our favorite meals are Potato Soup and baked, mashed, hashed, or … Starting to sound like a Forrest Gump/Bubba Shrimp soundtrack. We are growing boys and need our strength, just like the Dutchmen that made potato picking possible.
Thanks to those Spuddly Dutchmen!
Montana Grant
