University of Maine Cooperative Extension is hosting a virtual presentation covering growing and marketing practices for specialty potato varieties in Maine on March 20, from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. 

"Consumer interest and demand for fresh-market potato varieties with unique size, shape, color and taste profiles has been on the rise," said a UMaine Extension news release. "The trend presents new market opportunities for specialty crop producers."

Brett Johnson, UMaine Extension sustainable agriculture and farm business management educator, will give an overview of practices involved in growing and marketing specialty potato products in Maine followed by results of the 2-year organic specialty potato variety trials conducted at the university’s Rogers Farm Forage and Crop Research facility in Old Town.

The presentation is geared toward commercial farmers currently producing or with an interest in producing specialty potato varieties as well as new and beginning farmers exploring market opportunities.

Register on the event webpage. For more information or to request a reasonable accommodation, contact Billiejo Pendleton at 207.342.5971 or billiejo.pendleton@maine.edu.

University of Maine Cooperative Extension:

As a trusted resource for over 100 years, University of Maine Cooperative Extension has supported UMaine's land and sea grant public education role by conducting community-driven, research-based programs in every Maine county. UMaine Extension seeks to build thriving communities and grow the food-based economy, focusing on aspects from production and processing to nutrition, food safety and food security. Extension also conducts the most successful out-of-school youth educational program in Maine through 4-H which offers hands-on projects in areas like health, science, agriculture and civic engagement and creates a positive environment where participants are encouraged to take on proactive leadership roles.