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Idaho Potato Harvest Tour 2014 #IdahoHarvest

Idaho Potato Field Rows | Magnolia Days

That is a potato field in Idaho. It is right before the annual harvest when about 13 billion pounds of potatoes are dug up from the ground to be enjoyed by millions of people. There are 300,000 acres of these fields so you can imagine harvest is a very busy time of year. I had the honor of being one of the lucky people to go on a harvest tour with the Idaho Potato Commission. I discovered the beauty of Idaho and the folks who take great care of potatoes we consume in so many ways.

James Hoff Farm was the first stop on the tour. Well, aside from arriving and checking in at the hotel. I took this photo as we were arriving at the farm on the bus. There was something about that single tree on the field as it stood out against the clouds in the glory of a peaceful setting.

Idaho James Hoff Farm Field | Magnolia Days

We learned about growing potatoes in Idaho. It is carefully done from the moment seeds are planted until way after the harvest. It was obvious how much Mr. Hoff loved potatoes and flying. Yep, flying. We had dinner in the hanger and my heart swelled when I walked in and saw the red and white planes. It reminded me so much of my dad (my dad’s plane was red and white). He would have loved to visit this place.

Idaho James Hoff Farm Dinner | Magnolia Days

Lamb Weston plant was the next stop on the tour. We were not allowed to take photos so I cannot share that experience visually. However, what I can share is it was another place where the genuine excitement of potatoes shined through with everyone. We toured at the same time it was producing McDonald’s fries along with many other potato products for food service and retail.

Wada Farms came next. It is a fresh pack facility where potatoes are washed, packaged, and shipped to retail, food service, and wholesale customers. There sure are a lot of potatoes going through it. Here’s how it looks at the start of the line.

Wada Farms Fresh Pack Facility | Magnolia Days

Have you ever seen a heart shaped potato? Look at what I found. I couldn’t help but take a quick photo when I spotted it on the pile.

Heart Shaped Potato | Magnolia Days

We then headed to a farm to do some potato digging. We were supposed to watch an actual harvest except that Mother Nature got in the way. The ground was too wet. I have a feeling they were digging potatoes the next day after the dirt dried a little from the wind. It was just a tad windy…

Digging Potatoes Windy Day | Magnolia Days

Yes, that is me digging potatoes. We all had a chance to do some digging. There were laughs and photo ops like crazy. Then we gathered for a group photo and you can see our big smiles.

Idaho Potato Farm Group Photo | Magnolia Days

Idahoan Foods was the last facility we toured. It is a dehydrated plant where potato flakes are made along with many other products. If you want to know what is in potato flakes, it is potatoes plus seasoning and flavorings depending on the product. It was so interesting to watch dehydrated potatoes come off a giant roller in sheets as thin as or thinner than tissue paper. Unfortunately, this was another place we could not take photos. But we couldn’t leave without one photo of us out front wearing our hairnets, hard hats, and smocks.

Idahoan Foods Group Photo | Magnolia Days

We were back on the bus and on the way to Teton Springs Lodge. We took a quick stop to see a beautiful scenic view. It really is a lovely place to see.

Idaho Scenic View | Magnolia Days

The scenic views were not only by the road. The resort has plenty in every direction. I took this one outside the cabin where we had a welcome reception by Chef Rick Sordahl shortly after arriving.

Idaho Teton Springs Resort View | Magnolia Days

Our last dinner was at Linn Canyon Ranch. We had pre-dinner cocktails by a bonfire. It was a cool, crisp afternoon and spending it in the great outdoors was fabulous.

Bonfire at Linn Canyon Ranch | Magnolia Days

Then the sun started to set on our last evening in Idaho. It was spectacular and I did my best to capture it before heading in for our meal.

Sunset at Linn Canyon Ranch | Magnolia Days

The Idaho Potato Harvest Tour was an incredible experience. I will smile when I’m making potatoes because of remembering the trip, what I learned, and all the people I had the pleasure of seeing and meeting. What is my main takeaway from this trip? It is how much goodness goes into Idaho® potatoes and how much goodness Idaho® potatoes have. They are full of vitamins and minerals plus have healthy benefits too. So be sure to look for the Idaho® Potatoes and Grown in Idaho® seals when you are buying your taters. You will be getting consistent quality and taste with them.

Idaho Potato Logo

More on Idaho Potato Commission: You can follow them on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, Instagram, and their website.

Group photos courtesy of Don Odiorne, Vice President of Foodservice, Idaho Potato Commission.

Disclosure: I received an all-expense paid trip to Idaho for the Harvest Tour sponsored by the Idaho Potato Commission. I was under no obligation to post a review. All opinions are my own unless otherwise stated or contained within a guest post. 

Nikki @ NikSnacks

Wednesday 15th of October 2014

Renee, it was so great to travel with you and experience this great trip to Idaho!

Renee

Monday 3rd of November 2014

I enjoyed the trip with you too. Such fun!

Tammi @Momma's Meals

Friday 10th of October 2014

Thanks so much for sharing Renee! It looked like an amazing trip/experience!

Renee

Tuesday 14th of October 2014

It sure was!

Mary Platis

Tuesday 7th of October 2014

It was so much fun getting to know you in Idaho. A great week for all of us to remember! Love all your photos, especially the hair in the face digging photo - it was windy that day. A what a fab dinner wit the BEST story ever told!! Let's stay connected, Mary

Renee

Tuesday 14th of October 2014

Thank you so much Mary and it truly was a pleasure to meet and get to know you on the trip. What a fun night giggling at the table too. Yes, we definitely need to stay connected.

Karli

Tuesday 7th of October 2014

I loved following along on your instagram! I have a very deep love of potatoes myself, growing up in Colorado's potato country and later getting the honor of working for potato growers myself. I'm sure Don was a wonderful host and that you learned so much!

Renee

Tuesday 14th of October 2014

I'm so glad you enjoyed following the trip on Instagram. Don was definitely a wonderful host and so were all the others. They really went all out for our visit.

Laura @ Family Spice

Tuesday 7th of October 2014

It certainly was a fabulous trip. The Idaho Potato Commission sure did spoil us! I'm thrilled we were able to meet in person and I can't wait to see all of your fantastic potato recipes!

Renee

Tuesday 14th of October 2014

Oh yes, the definitely spoiled us. What a great trip and so nice to meet you in person. I'm looking forward to your potato recipes too. And your next book.