SAVANNA, Ill. — In an area predominantly known for its corn and soybeans, Neumiller Farms of Savanna, Illinois grows a specialty crop not typically associated with the region.
The third-generation farm grows potatoes, which are then made into chips, potato salad and hashbrowns across the U.S.
"We have found a niche in our area," Vice President of Neumiller Farms Katie Floming said. "Pretty much from July through the middle of September, if you are eating a potato it probably came from us."
She says sandy soil along the river creates the perfect spot for growing spuds.
"If we were to go two miles down that direction, it would be dark, heavy soil, which is not good for potatoes," she said. "Wherever there is little pockets of sand, that's where we want to be."
Potatoes have been an important part of the Neumiller family for many years, dating back to their time overseas before the Russian Revolution.
"Potatoes run in our family," she said.
The potato planting season begins in March when the family receives about 300 semi-loads of seed potatoes. After the "hands-on" process of halving the potatoes, the pieces are then planted, irrigated and grown. The harvest season runs from July until the end of October. However, July, August and September's crop is delivered right away for immediate use.
"Every day we are loading semis, which goes to our customers to get made into potato chips, potato salad, mashed potatoes French fries. Basically, any kind of potatoes you can imagine," she said.
In later months, potatoes are taken from the field to a storage facility. They are held there in a dark, cold climate for quality control.
"To store potatoes we don’t want it to be over 75 degrees," she said. "The potatoes still think it is in the ground. We're trying to play a trick on it."
With loads of potatoes headed to numerous states throughout the Midwest, distribution is a big piece of the Nuemillers' story.
"We can dig the potatoes that morning, put it on a semi and have it delivered and made into chips within five hours," Floming said.