Northland Potatoes, which previously was known as the Northern Plains Potato Growers Association, has been promoting the profitability and unity of the potato growers of the adjoining states of Minnesota and North Dakota since its formation 77 years ago.

The Red River Valley is the largest producer of red potatoes in the nation and the area’s yellow potato crop is quickly increasing, as production has grown more than 15 percent in the last 10 years, representing nearly 30 percent of the segment, according to Northland Potatoes.

Between the open plains of North Dakota and the forested lake country of northern Minnesota, the Red River Valley is one of the most fertile farming regions in the world thanks to its nutrient-rich black earth, watered by prairie rains instead of irrigation, making it ideal for potato farmers.

It was 114 years ago when Joseph L. Bushman started his own potato growing operation in Wisconsin, taking advantage of the dark, rich Wisconsin soils.

Today, his legacy lives on as Bushmans’ Inc., a farmer-owned potato producer and the longest continuing potato growing company in the state, dealing in reds, whites, yellows and russets, including norkotahs, silvertons, gold rush and caribou.

Gumz Farms grows red and yellow potatoes, grows and sources yellow, white, red and sweet onions and packs and ships year-round.

Brothers Roderick and Richard Gumz lead Gumz Farms, following in the footsteps of four generations of their family in the potato and onion biz, and keeping the strong legacy of the company alive.

The Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association represents more than 300 growers and affiliates throughout the state.

“We represent the industry in terms of sharing the importance of buying local and supporting local businesses for a strong economy,” said Dana Rady, director of promotion, communication and consumer education for the WPVGA. “We share that we are the third-largest potato-producing state in the nation and the largest producer east of the Mississippi.”

Topashaw Farms has been packing and shipping sweet potatoes since 2010.

The company grows sweet potatoes on 3,200 acres, packing and shipping MS Beauregard variety sweet potatoes year-round. It also has some outside growers that grow an additional 2,500 acres.