History of Potatoes
San Luis Valley
SLV Potatoes
Potato Harvest
Potato Fun Facts
100
Who were the first people to grow potatoes
The Incans
(in Peru, about 200 B.C.)
100
How many inches of rain does the San Luis Valley receive a year?
a. 2 b. 7 c. 12 d. 20 e. 35
7 inches (a little less than)
100
The potato harvest begins what month?
September
100
Where do most of the potatoes go when first harvested?
Warehouses
100
In October 1995, what was the first vegetable grown in space?
Potato
200
Sir Walter Raleigh grew 40,000 acres of potatoes in the early 1500's in what country?
Ireland
200
Due to the small amount of rain, the San Luis Valley is considered what type of biome or land type
Desert
200
How long does the potato harvest last?
6 weeks
200
How many major warehouses do we have in the Valley?
a. 6 b. 11 c. 16 d. 19 e. 23
23
200
Potatoes have more of this nutrient than a banana
Potassium
300
In 1845-46, late blight, a fungus, destroyed the potato crop in Ireland leading to the disaster with what name?
The Irish Potato Famine
300
What is the altitude of the San Luis Valley?
a. 2300' b. 5400' c. 7600' d. 10,300' e. 14,100'
7600 feet above sea level
300
Where does the water to grow potatoes come from?
Natural Underground Aquifer
300
Where do potatoes from the San Luis Valley get shipped?
Nationwide
300
Oranges are known for having a lot of this vitamin, potatoes also have a lot. What vitamin is this?
Vitamin C
400
This man, with his influence helped to grow the popularity of potatoes in this country. Who is this?
Benjamin Franklin
400
What about our weather makes it ideal for growing potatoes?
Sunny Days or Cool Nights
400
Because of the small amount of rainfall how is the potato crop watered?
Irrigation
400
What number is the San Luis Valley as a fresh potato shipper in the U.S.?
#2
400
The average American eats how many pounds of potatoes a year?
a. 74 b. 124 c. 167 d. 212 e. 301
124 pounds
500
Which President was first to serve potatoes at the White House? Hint: he was president from 1801-1809
Thomas Jefferson
500
How is the natural aquifer recharged?
Runoff from heavy snowfall in the mouintains
500
The cold winters help eliminate pests and disease problems for potato growing, reducing the need for what?
Pesticides
500
What happens to the potato plant to indicate it is ready to be harvested
the leaves turn yellow (and die back)
500
The Potato is what percentage water?
a. 10% b. 25% c. 60% d. 80% e. 90%
A potato is 80% water