By Joe Kertzman, managing editor, Badger Common’Tater
Located in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, Johnson Brothers Inc., in Sagola, grows approximately 300 acres of certified seed potatoes and farms 1,050 acres total of crops on rotation. The operation is currently focused on russet varieties, including Silverton, Burbank and Norkotah potatoes.
Established by Elmer and Senia Johnson as a typical farm of its time, including cattle and crops, the family started raising potatoes around 1931. In 1956, the cattle were sold and the two main operations became potatoes and logging.
Elmer and Senia’s sons, Melvin and Donald, took reigns of the operation, with Melvin focused on potatoes and Donald taking care of logging. After Donald’s passing, the farm narrowed its focus to potato farming. Melvin worked on the farm and inspired future generations until his death in 2019.
Currently, there are three generations working on the certified seed potato farm, including Dale and Rodney Johnson, Faith and John Kuzak, Jason and David Johnson, and Donavon and Robert Kuzak.
In 2007, Jason, David, and John brought the fourth generation into the business through the formation of Spudland Farms.
