Update: We are sold out of Makah Ozette seed potatoes for the 2022 season. If you would like to be added to the 2023 request list, please email us at info@slowfoodseattle.org.

We are pleased to announce we have 300 pounds of certified organic Makah Ozette seed potato now available for purchase. All proceeds from the sale will help fund the continued cultivation of the seed and our annual seed donations to local Indigenous community gardens and food sovereignty programs.

This year, we are also asking for donations to keep the program growing and give a little extra to our seed farmer John Hogan, who has donated so much time and effort to the program and, due to climate change, has lost money on our potato seed the past two years. We appreciate your continued support!

ABOUT OUR SEED FARMER, JOHN HOGAN

John Hogan of Grand Teton Organics (GTO) is a third generation farmer with over sixty years of experience. He grew up among the beautiful fields of Idaho. At ten years old, John began to follow his father, an Idaho state crop inspector, on visits to naturally grown potato fields and fresh potato packing sheds. He learned about potato grades, diseases, and practices such as irrigation, seed quality, and organic weed control.

After learning in school about cross pollination, John went home and experimented in his mother's tulip garden without telling anyone. He'd forgotten all about it until the following spring when the usual three colors of tulips bloomed into a beautiful array! He loved science and all things green and growing.

In 1969 he, together with his brother and father, started the first commercial potato roguing business in Idaho. Roguing means to properly identify plant diseases and remove them from natural potato fields in order to maintain the integrity of the naturally grown seed potatoes. The business expanded into farming in 1971, and he has been involved in potato production, in one capacity or another, ever since.

The past few years, Slow Food Seattle has been working with Farmer John to continue the cultivation of the Makah Ozette seed potato for distribution. This growing season has continued to be difficult for GTO. With the unprecedented heat in July, drought, and the lack of snowpack, he experienced a 50% crop loss with all of his seed, including the Makah Ozette seed that he contracts with and grows for us.

We are truly grateful to John for his hard work and dedication in growing good, clean and fair food for all.

PRICE / SHIPPING INFORMATION

This year, the seed will be shipped directly from Grand Teton Organics in Idaho Falls, Idaho. The seed is $5 per pound plus the cost of shipping, and there are approximately 9-11 potatoes per pound.

1-lb - $14
3-lb. - $25
5-lb - $36
10-lb - $69
25-lb - $160

TO PLACE AN ORDER

Click the button below and complete the form with your request. Within 1-3 days of receipt, we will email you an invoice via Stripe. Once your payment is received, we will forward your information to Grand Teton Organics for shipping. Please keep in mind we are an all-volunteer board and appreciate your patience.

ORDER HERE

WHAT ARE SEED POTATOES?

Seed potatoes look like, well, potatoes! They are disease-free, genetic clones propagated from a mother plant in a certified seed lab. Here is the process in a nutshell:

Cuttings are taken from the mother plant to produce plantlets.
Plantlets are grown in a greenhouse to produce mini-tubers (the new name for pre-nuclear seed).
Mini-tubers are planted in the field by certified seed growers to grow nuclear seed, also known in Washington state as Generation 1 (G1). Slow Food Seattle usually distributes this G1 seed potato, which gardeners and farmers can grow to eat and/or replant.
Each consecutive year the seed is replanted, the generation number increases — G2, G3, etc. — which indicates “how many field generations a seed lot is removed from the pathogen-tested parental stock.”

With each generation, the possibility of disease increases and the crop yield decreases. Most farmers don’t usually replant potatoes after the fourth or fifth generation, which is why we rely on the important work of certified seed labs and organic seed growers.

Easy way to Start Growing Makah Ozettes

The Makah Ozette fingerling has a nutty, earthy flavor and a firm, creamy texture. If you have limited outdoor space or are new to gardening, try growing a few seeds in a container. It’s low-risk, educational and very rewarding. Here are a few tips to get started.

JOIN OUR SEED EXCHANGE GROUP ON FACEBOOK

Join our seed exchange group on Facebook to connect with other Makah Ozette enthusiasts and growers to exchange information, tips and seed: https://www.facebook.com/groups/400875610993000

Makah Ozette Seed Potatoes Available for Spring 2022