Potatoes remain the backbone of Aroostook County's agricultural economy, but a growing number of farms near Caribou are diversifying into other crops and value-added products, hoping to reduce exposure to price swings in the potato market.
Several farms have added grain rotations, broccoli and other vegetable crops in recent years, while others have invested in small-scale processing to sell products like frozen vegetables or specialty potato items directly rather than solely through commodity buyers.
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Farm operators describe diversification as a gradual, capital-intensive process, requiring new equipment and, in some cases, new markets that take years to establish. State agriculture officials have offered grant support for value-added processing equipment, which several farms say has helped offset upfront costs.
Despite the changes, potato farming remains central to the county's identity and economy. Farmers describe diversification not as a replacement for that legacy, but as a way to keep family operations financially stable for the next generation.
