Demonstration Storage

The Michigan Potato Industry Commission constructed a demonstration storage designed to provide year-round availability of chip, fresh, and processed market potatoes and improve overall knowlege of storage practices for different varieties of potatoes grown in Michigan. Variety development and preliminary long-term storage trials have been done by Michigan State University, this facility will be for demonstration of commercial sized variety trials. In the past decade small demonstration storages were utilized by the Potato Commission to put laboratory results to the test in commercial settings. Long term expanded availability of product through storage has been a priority of the Michigan Potato Industry Commission. Growth in value-added processed potato usage would gain market share and expansion in production acreage. This does not account for growth in other infrastructure that will result. After 12 years of continued success in storage demonstration, it was determined that a more comprehensive and permanent facility was needed. The Potato Commission and its Storage Committee directed staff to develop a plan for a permanent demonstration facility to implement new storage technology in order to fully develop Michigan potato storage potential. As a separate issue, the Commission, with three other economic development grant partners, has done a feasibility study on processed fresh potato processing and uses. This covered the emerging retail home meal replacement products commonly sold through grocery deli sections and the growing prepared potato products for the food service manufacturing industry. Processors would need a year around supply of product for just in time processing.

The newly constructed MPIC demonstration storage was dedicted on August 17, 2000 in memory of Dr. B.F. (Burt) Cargill.   Dr. Cargill, an MSU professor, greatly incresed the knowlege base of storing potatoes.

With grant and grower funds MPIC built the facility in Montcalm County beginning construction in June 1999. Completion and the first six demonstration bins were filled in September and October of the same year. This Extended Season Storage will demonstrate new potato storage techniques necessary to extend the stored life of potatoes, and increase marketability of stored potatoes. The creation of Expanded Season Storages in Michigan depends on demonstrating the process outside of the laboratory using controlled demonstration bins that replicate commercial sized facilities.

The building was consructed to have six bins each independent of each other and hold a semi tractor trailer load of potatoes.

The first bin was filled as the exterior finish construction work was being completed.

MPIC Storage and Handling Committee:

Steve Crooks, Grower
Todd Forbush, Storage Designer
Greg Perkins, Grower
Brian Sackett, Grower
Tim Young, Grower
Gary Walther, Grower

Directions: Take 66 north of Stanton 3.5 miles, to Coral road (County Road 530), there is an MSU Montcalm Research sign at the corner, weave west 4.5 miles, or 1 mile beyond the village of Entrican, it's on the south side (left).