Data highlights industry’s optimism gap and the critical role of federal support amid Farm Bill negotiations
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The National Potato Council (NPC), in partnership with Great American Media Services and its Spudman magazine, today released the Spud Sector Survey 2026©. This comprehensive report, combining survey feedback from more than 200 growers from across the country, highlights the economic sentiment and systemic vulnerabilities of the U.S. potato industry.
As Congress begins pivotal debates on the next Farm Bill and additional support for the specialty crop sector, the report reveals that while individual grower resilience remains high, targeted federal support is vital to securing an “essential bridge for family farms” in an industry that generates more than $100 billion in annual economic activity, supporting 714,000 American jobs.
The survey identifies a contrast in grower sentiment. While a majority (50.6%) of growers feel optimistic about their own farm’s performance, 65.6% express pessimism regarding the broader U.S. agricultural industry. This “optimism gap” is driven by mounting pressures from inflation, rising input costs, and federal labor policy hurdles.
“This data confirms that potato growers are among the most resilient entrepreneurs in America, but they cannot innovate their way out of our current policy environment without leadership from lawmakers,” said Kam Quarles, CEO of the National Potato Council. “As we look toward debate over the House Agriculture Committee’s Farm Bill draft, these findings provide a clear mandate for policymakers: purposeful investment in specialty crops is an economic necessity. We must ensure that the policies being debated in Washington reflect the reality of the challenges faced in the field.”
The partnership with Great American Media Services, which began in September 2025, allowed the survey to reach a broad, diverse cross-section of the industry, ensuring the data reflect the authentic voice of the American grower.
“We are incredibly proud to partner with the National Potato Council on this initiative,” said Matt McCallum, CEO of Great American Media Services, the parent company of Spudman. “Our readers can use this data as a benchmark for their own operations and as a tool for local, state, and federal advocacy. At Spudman, this partnership allows us to better serve the industry by tailoring our editorial content to the specific economic hurdles and innovation trends—like the pivot toward automation—that growers told us matter most.”
Key Findings for Policymakers:
- The Vitality of Federal Aid: Among growers who received federal emergency funds, 96.2% reported the payments were valuable in protecting the future of their operations. Nearly half (48.5%) described the aid as “extremely or very valuable,” underscoring the necessity of a robust federally funded economic support for specialty crop growers.
- Mounting Economic Disruptors: Inflation and input costs remain the primary threats to stability. The survey found that 82.9% of growers expect inflation to disrupt their 2026 business strategies, with 65.2% identifying input costs as their single greatest challenge.
- Policy-Driven Competitive Risk: More than half of respondents (54.4%) identified federal agricultural labor policy as a significant threat to their competitive position, highlighting the urgent need for meaningful reform.
- A Generational Legacy: The industry remains rooted in family tradition, with 84.4% of operations being family-owned and 72.4% of those being third-generation or older. However, these legacies are at risk as 61.1% of smaller farms report delaying critical equipment repairs to manage rising costs.
The Spud Sector Survey 2026 serves as a data-driven roadmap for NPC’s advocacy efforts during the NPC Washington Summit, Feb. 23-26, and throughout the year, ensuring that future agricultural policies provide equitable support for modernization and risk management.
To read the full survey results, visit spudman.com/spudsector.
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About the National Potato Council: The National Potato Council represents the interests of U.S. potato growers on federal legislative, regulatory, environmental, and trade issues. The annual farm gate value of U.S. potato production is over $4.5 billion, delivering more than $100 billion in U.S. economic activity throughout the potato supply chain. The industry supports more than 714,000 American workers, both directly and indirectly. Learn more at nationalpotatocouncil.org.
About Great America Media Services: Great American Media Services is home to trusted, industry-leading media brands serving several markets, including agriculture. For more than 60 years, GAMS has delivered the news, insights and connections that drive success through its media brands. It also offers marketing services for businesses looking to connect with customers across platforms.
© 2025 – 2026 Spud Sector Survey by the National Potato Council & Great American Media Services | All Rights Reserved
