Most of these nonoperator landowners in Washington state differ from Gates in that they own a median of acres, and the land has typically been in their family for more than 71 years.
Additionally, American Farmland Trust has found in surveys that while nonoperator landowners do care about more than the bottom line of their investment properties, and want to be good stewards of that land, conservation practices have historically been poorer there. Farmers and landowners often have difficulty communicating about long-term land stewardship, she writes, and the fact that farm leases tend to be limited to a year makes conservation investments risky for owners.
Across the country, consolidation is making farms both bigger and fewer. According to the USDA, the number of farms in Washington decreased from 38, to 35, between and , while the average size of farms increased from to acres. For local farmers, the influx of big investors draws attention. Baird has acres of orchards and 1, acres of row cropland that he leases out and considers himself a small player. Baird has seen large investment groups and pension funds making plays in the area where he grows.
A few years ago, a buyer inquired about his orchard. I don't see a market correction. Look at mom-and-pop grocery stores: Do they see a solution to fighting Amazon? Clearly there's been a local food movement, the small food movement. And that's made an impact. It has raised awareness around organics and regenerative farming. The bulk of fruit is grown, and crop commodities are grown, on large farms and they're getting larger.
They plant the seed, fertilize and water the seeds and they dig up the potatoes. This is their job. They provide for their families with this job; they are able to use the money they make to buy food, water, shelter and other needs. Farming is an interesting part of the chain because so many aspects of the world come into play. Climate, weather, location, soil, water, etc. Too much rain can cause fields to flood, too little rain can cause dry soil.
Climate change can effect the way plants grow because they have been conditioned to grow in the area they are in, which is now changing. It is an experimental farm where Lamb Weston tests new technology and techniques to conserve resources while maximizing yield.
And it gives the company insights into the challenges its farmer-partners face in their own fields. The farm incorporates crop rotation, pest management, minimal tillage and other steps to meet its sustainable agriculture goals. Lamb Weston is known for its frozen french fry products. It also produces shredded potatoes, diced potatoes formed potatoes hash browns and Tater Puffs , chips, mashed potatoes, appetizers and vegetables.
But the humble potato is at the heart of most of its products. The company reports it has made progress on reducing the resources it takes to grow a potato. In , it took 0.
There are about 5, Russet potatoes in a ton. Russets are the most grown potato for french fries. The page report can be downloaded at bit. Sign-up for our e-newsletter filled with featured stories and latest news. Lamb Weston is known for its frozen french fry products but it also produces shredded potatoes, diced potatoes formed potatoes hash browns and Tater Puffs , chips, mashed potatoes, appetizers and vegetables.
Courtesy Lamb Weston. Lamb Weston pulls back curtain with first-ever sustainability report. Wendy Culverwell June Its Boardman East plant is another example. The farm produces about 10 percent of the potatoes Lamb Weston processes into french fries, with the balance cultivated by the plus farmers who hold contracts to grow potatoes on , acres Circles, led by Troy Emmerson, is far more than a potato farm.
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