Grand Forks, N.D. — Potato harvest in the Grand Forks area is at a standstill.
Lack of rain in the Red River Valley is leaving the farmland from North of Grand Forks to Traill County very dry, making it hard to harvest potatoes without damaging the crop. So area farmers have stopped the harvest.
According to the Northern Plains Potato Growers Association (NPPGA), the last significant rainfall was back on Aug. 23.
As for now, they say it’s best to keep the potatoes stored in the ground.
“Well, that’s about the only option,” said Ted Kreis, NPPGA marketing communications director. “They store very nicely in the soil, and at the same time they don’t get damaged.”
The association says there is a potential for rain Wednesday. If that happens, harvest will be able to wrap up very quickly for the season.
Source: WDAZ-TV