The Potato Industry: Alive in O'Leary, PEI

Prince Edward Island Potato Museum
O'Leary, Prince Edward Island

We invite you to join us on a journey of learning about the potato, from its beginnings as a wild food source in South America, to its current status as the fourth largest commercial crop in the world. The Community of O'Leary, where the humble potato has played an important role in the economy for many years, is located in the western part of Prince Edward Island, surrounded by fertile, potato-growing fields. Indeed, it is very fitting that the Prince Edward Island Potato Museum is located in this community. This exhibit discusses a variety of topics associated with the potato industry, including the following: -the history and importance of the potato and its industry; -the structure of the potato plant, and the diseases and pests that attack it; -the control of diseases and pests that attack the potato; -the machinery and farm implements used in the planting, cultivating, and harvesting of potatoes; -potato plant nutrition (from mussel mud to chemical fertilizers); -changes in the methods for planting and harvesting potatoes; -the grading and storage of potatoes; -potato processing; -changes in the export market; -the sustainability of the potato industry; -the seed certification process, the role of potato inspectors, and the Elite Seed Farm; -the International Potato Centre in Lima, Peru; -the Potato Blossom Festival–an annual celebration of the potato, held July in O'Leary, P.E.I.; -the Prince Edward Island Potato Museum, with its interpretive centre, machinery gallery, Amazing Potato Exhibit, and Potato Hall of Fame.