For the first time ever, visitors to the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum have learned about and watched potatoes grow this summer and will participate in a harvest through a partnership with R.D. Offutt Farms.
The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum is a 1,200-acre horticultural garden and arboretum located in the southwest metro and serves as a research center and extension of the University of Minnesota's College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences. A permanent display at the Arboretum is the “Farm at the Arb,” which connects people with the food they eat through interpretive exhibits highlighting Minnesota-grown crops, fruits and vegetables. Annually, the Arboretum hosts 600,000 visitors.
Carrie Stowers, Farm at the Arb Marketing Director, said that RDO and the Arb share a commitment to raise awareness and build a better understanding of crop and food production – including potatoes – and its impact throughout Minnesota, North Dakota and beyond.
“At the Farm at the Arb, we want to build a better understanding of agriculture through demonstration, interactive experiences and meaningful conversations,” Stowers said. “We want consumers to be aware of the role farmers play when they buy groceries or eat at restaurants, and the effort it takes for that meal to end up on their plate.”
The potato crop plot is one amongst a variety of other Minnesota-grown crop plots at the Farm at the Arb, including corn, soybeans, sugar beets, grains, kernza and other crops of the future. R.D. Offutt Farms is providing seed, agronomy expertise, coordinating educational materials, as well as spearheading opportunities for industry and academic partners.
Tom Ryan, RDO President, said the partnership provided a unique opportunity to reach Minnesota residents.
“In a world where the urban population is growing and families live farther away from farms, it is critical to provide opportunities for the general public to learn about agricultural production,” Ryan said. “We are proud to partner with Farm at the Arb and hope visitors take away a better understanding about the complexities of growing potatoes and other crops in Minnesota.”
Many other partners are helping to make the potato crop plot a success, including Michael Foods – foodservice supplier and retailer specializing in refrigerated potatoes, Valmont Industries – leading manufacturer of irrigation technology, and North Dakota State University Plant Sciences and the University of Minnesota Horticultural Sciences – both of which are providing potato seed and consulting expertise for exhibit.
Visitors to the Farm at the Arb will be able to monitor crop progress throughout the summer, and attend two events featuring the potato exhibit:
- On July 27, 2024, the Arb will host the R.D. Offutt Farms “Potato Dig Farm Day,” where visitors will learn more about potato farming with hands-on activities, including potato harvest and tours of the demonstration crop plots. Farm guides will connect visitors with R.D. Offutt Farms by sharing how potatoes are grown, processed and available at local grocery stores and restaurants.
- On Sept. 7, 2024, the Arb will host the family-friendly Farm at the Arb Field Fest, which will include interactive exhibits; games and hands-on activities in the Family Tent; tasting demonstrations; live music; food trucks and a beer garden. In addition to ongoing Field Fest programming, crop-centric activities will include immersive potato, field corn and sugar beet experiences, harvest contests and opportunities for attendees to get their hands in the dirt. Farm Guides with backgrounds in agriculture will lead tours and talk about their experience in agriculture. These, as well as additional Field Fest activities, will engage younger generations and promote modern farming.
More information will be available throughout the summer on the Farm at the Arb website.
Help Harvest at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum on Fox 9.
