How Idaho Got the Potato

The potato wasn't what built Idaho. The fur trade, and then a series of gold and silver rushes, drove the state's early settlement. The first potato was planted in Idaho in 1836 by missionary Henry Spalding as a food source for the Nez Perce people. It wasn't until decades later that farmers realized the volcanic soil and high elevation of the Snake River Plain were nearly perfect growing conditions for the crop. Today Idaho produces roughly one third of all potatoes grown in the United States, including most of the potatoes that end up as fast food french fries.

Source: Idaho Potato Museum