A Family Farm
Bell Brothers is a family potato farm in Mars Hill, Maine, in the heart of Aroostook County potato country. From spring planting to fall harvest, the farm grows potatoes the way this region has for generations — in rich soil, under northern Maine skies.
Potatoes are the crop here. Planting starts in the spring, the rows get hilled as the plants grow through the summer, and harvest comes in the fall when the crop is dug, stored, and sent on its way.
From Planting to Harvest
How a potato crop moves through the season on a Maine farm.
Seed & Planting
Seed potatoes are cut and planted in the spring, once the ground is workable and warming up.
Growing & Hilling
As the plants come up, rows are hilled to cover the developing tubers and keep them growing strong.
Harvest
In the fall the crop is dug, picked up, and hauled in from the fields before winter sets in.
Storage
Harvested potatoes are stored cool and dark, keeping them in good shape until they head to market and table.
The Green Workhorse
The green John Deere is the backbone of the operation — pulling the harvester through the rows and keeping the crop moving from field to truck, sunrise to sunset during harvest.
From the Farm
Real pictures from Bell Brothers — planting, harvest, and the crew and equipment that get it done.
