How Did Idaho Become Known for Potatoes?
5 Interesting Facts about Farming and Agriculture in the United States
Whether you’re not sure if potatoes grow underground or on trees, if chickens have ears, or if you can farm an alligator, these five fun ag facts will fill you in on a few interesting facts about US Farming and Agriculture.
Idaho Was Too Dry For Potatoes
Per The Idaho Potato Museum website, extensive irrigation across the state of Idaho was needed to make it possible for potatoes to thrive there.
Irrigation plays a critical role in the growing and production of potatoes. The Carey Act of 1894 made it possible for more land to be opened up for agricultural use. Under this Act, the so-called public land states with desert lands were offered one million federal acres each, provided they would cause the granted lands to be irrigated. Idaho benefited from the Carey Act far more than did any other state. About 60% of all lands irrigated in the United States under the Carey Act are in Idaho. Over the period of forty years, the state of Idaho received 618,000 acres of previously desert, arid land. — Idaho…
