Growing Together: Ed Staunton

Ed Staunton is a third-generation farmer who serves as co-manager and partner of Staunton Farms in Tulelake, California. From the Klamath Basin, Staunton Farms produces both organic and conventional fresh tablestock potatoes as well as chipping potatoes. Their fresh potato varieties include russets, reds, and yellows.

Ed grew up on the farm started by his grandfather. A veteran of World War I, Edward “Web” Staunton left the East Coast to start farming on an 80-acre homestead in 1929. Today, with the help of his father, John, brothers Marshall and Sid, nephews Marc and Curtis, and their longtime terrific work crew, Staunton Farms has grown to 8,000 acres. In addition to potatoes, they grow onions, alfalfa, barley, wheat, and garlic.

After graduating from the University of Nevada-Reno in 1983, Ed started growing potatoes full time. He now has two sons, who are fourth-generation farmers, as well as a daughter who helps with the family business.

When he isn’t working on the farm, Ed likes to travel, golf, and ski.

“With our season, we start planting potatoes at the end of April or early May, so we’ve got the winter months available for skiing,” he said.

Ed’s favorite way to eat potatoes is the classic baked potato, but he added that he loves mashed potatoes on Thanksgiving.

“Since we started growing yellows and reds organically, I really enjoy roasting potatoes,” he added. “I thought I’d never get away from russets because that’s what I grew up with, but you can do so much with yellows and reds.”

Ed recently wrapped up a year serving as chair of Potatoes USA’s Culinary Committee, which helps support programs for foodservice, retail, and consumers. In that role, he worked closely with Chef RJ Harvey, Director of Culinary, and Executive Sous Chef Aurora Hollenbeck.

“RJ and Aurora are awesome to work with,” he said. “They’re supplying foodservice and consumers with all these great potato dishes, innovations, and ideas. It’s just really fun to see their minds working creatively for the benefit of our industry.”

Ed added that Potatoes USA plays a significant role in supporting growers.

“We’re always looking at ways to strengthen demand, and we as growers need the information that Potatoes USA provides us,” he said. “One of the best initiatives I’ve seen is the Alliance for Potato Research and Education (APRE), which helps build the science behind why potatoes are so good for you. Everyone wants a reason to eat a potato, and now, we’ve got the science to back it up!”

Ed says he sees a bright future in the potato industry for his children.

“This is such a good industry to be in,” he said. “People are so kind, and I see so many opportunities. For example, we were conventional growers for a number of years, but being in a low-humidity climate, organic worked really well for us. That’s been a good avenue for our farm, being that we’re on the West Coast, where there are a lot of consumers looking for organic food.

“Long term, I can see my family’s future generations succeeding because we’ve got the right people behind us to do the things that are going to make us successful.”