By Danielle Grant, Local News 8 Reporter
It's time to turn up the spuds and store them in the cellar.
This year's crop is stacking up some good and bads.
The United Potato Growers of Idaho say the market's demand for fresh potatoes is soft.
The numbers of those dining out is declining in turn cutting the cost of the vegetables.
The nation's economy is still slowing business leaving many without work, so they're searching for jobs in the fields.
Scott Searle says finding help has been easy.
And Mother Nature has provided nearly perfect potato growing conditions, producing good quality spuds.
His only problem is getting them out the door and onto your dinner plate.
"We just aren't moving potatoes around like we need to be," Searle said.
Supply versus demand.
This year, Searle Farms is digging up about 10-percent more spuds than last year piling the potatoes to the peak.
But the state's famous cash crop isn't cashing in for farmers and this fruitless economy is leaving many looking for jobs.
"This year, it's people that have lost their job and they're desperate for some income even if it is just for a few weeks," Searle explained.
Crews are working around the clock to get the potatoes out of the ground and into the cellar. Some family members do the dirty, dusty and daily duties in the fields.
"I just like playing in the dirt and farming," said Jade Searle, who wants to follow in his father's farming footsteps.
But many of Searle's faithful workers come from Mexico.
They return year after year to help on his farm, making a better life for themselves and for their families.
"If you work here, you can just live. And out there [Mexico] you can't even make it too good, so that's why we come out here to work," explained Nicholas Camrgo, who comes to the states to work.
Plowing through the potatoes, tooling around on tractors or raking up the remains; they do whatever it takes to get the job done.
"It's kind of hard work especially when it's cold, raining, snowing but what can you do," Camrgo said. "Just keep on going?" asked Danielle. "Just keep on going," he laughs.
They'll be harvesting for the next two weeks and hope Mother Nature leaves them alone until then.
United Potato Growers of Idaho will hold a meeting on November 11th at the Shiloh Inn in Idaho Falls.
All growers whether you're a member or not are invited to come and talk about this year's crop and how the potato market is doing.
