Growing Together: Jay LaJoie

August 14, 2024

Fifth-Generation Farmer Produces Purple Potatoes Near Canada’s Border

A few feet from the banks of the St. John River, which separates Maine from New Brunswick, Canada, is LaJoie Growers — a farm that stands out for producing mostly purple potatoes, along with a few other varieties.

Jay LaJoie, a fifth-generation potato farmer, operates LaJoie Growers with his father, Gil; his uncle, Dominic; his cousin, Lucas; and his brother, Sky. The LaJoie family grew up working on the farm with Jay’s grandfather, Normand, who took over the farm at age 17 when his own father died suddenly.

Jay said his grandfather had the biggest impact on him. “Working with him on the farm were some of the best years of my life,” he said.

Jay’s grandmother, Maxine, said she feels blessed that her sons and grandsons continued the family farm.

“I am blessed that I have my two sons and grandsons around me, and I see them working every day the way their grandfather did,” she said. “It’s a blessing for me to know that they were hearing everything we taught them.”

Jay’s uncle, Dominic, decided to start planting purple potatoes amid farming struggles in the late 1990s. Seeking a niche market, he borrowed purple potato seeds from a friend. They grew well in the unique Maine soil, which offers extra water-holding capacity with its dense loam mixed with stones and organic matter.

Now, the majority of LaJoie Growers’ products are purple potatoes, which go to a chip-making company in Pennsylvania.

The farm also owns a trucking operation that allows them to guarantee freight services for last-minute orders. They’ve even shipped their purple potatoes across the country on refrigerated rail cars.

The work can be challenging and unpredictable, but Jay said it’s more of a way of life.

“Farming’s definitely our way of life,” he said. “It doesn’t feel like a job. It doesn’t feel like work. We just love it.”

He added that family makes the hard work worth it.

“We do have long days, but we’re fortunate to be in a career where we love what we do,” Jay said. “Luckily I have a great support system. My wife Ashley and our three kids are awesome. It’s really great to go home and see them at the end of the day.” Ashley is no stranger to the potato industry, having first met Jay at a potato industry dinner that included some mutual friends. She said that she and the kids like visiting Jay in the field during busy times.

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