From the start of World War 1, food was viewed as essential to winning the war. So, a massive propaganda campaign was launched, to convince people to produce more food by planting gardens.

“Do not neglect the gardens. Use every foot of land available and cultivate it intensely. We will need all of the products no matter how great it may be.” (Iron Ore, Op Ed, April 7, 1917)

The Upper Peninsula had a short growing season, so potatoes were the perfect crop. They grew well, were easy to store and could be used to replace some of the flour in bread.

“Everyone should plant a garden. Every extra bushel of potatoes grown means just that much in the support of the people of the country. If everyone will do this, there will be no danger of food shortage in case of a serious war to which many men will be taken from their regular vocations.” (Iron Ore, Op Ed, April 14, 1918)

Potato meetings were held and those without land could apply for a garden plot. “About 250 people attended the meeting in the Y.M.C.A., Monday evening when the potato was the chief topic of discussion. Talks were made by L.R. Walker, county agriculturalist; M.A. Russell, who is in charge of the agricultural work for the public schools, and K.I. Sawyer, of the Advancement association’s garden committee.” “Land has been procured from the Wawanowin Golf club, the Oliver Iron Mining company and a number of private parties and the Cleveland-Cliffs company might have some lands to list with the committee after their own employees are taken care of.” (Iron Ore, April 28, 1918)

With all the focus on gardens, seed potatoes became very scarce. “Mr. M.M. Duncan, who is interested in having as much ground planted to potatoes and other garden seeds as possible, is much concerned over the seed potato question. He has been scouring the country for seed and finds that there will be a considerable shortage over the quantity desired for planting.” “There is demand for very much more for seed potatoes. Potatoes are easily grown and are and important food requirement, taking the place of bread to a considerable degree.” (Iron Ore, May 5, 1917)

For residents of Marquette County, while planting gardens would not occur until June, there was still plenty to be done. “On all sides, as we drive through the country in our Franklin car, we see the earth being prepared for the planting of potatoes and other things to produce food. Marquette County is doing its full share…Make every foot of ground count for the most. Plant it and then care for it. The latter is important.” (Iron Ore, Op Ed, May 19, 1917)

Potato clubs were formed. “Of the many potato clubs in Ishpeming, the Big Nine is one of the most enthusiastic. It has several acres of ground on the golf course, using the rough…. The club has planted its potatoes and now awaits the time the plants are up that they may ‘poison’ them and cultivate them according to the best American practices.” (Iron Ore, Op Ed, June 2, 1917)

By the fourth of July, the potatoes had sprouted. “The potatoes are above the ground and now it is important that weeds be kept down, that the plants be sprayed and that the ground be cultivated. The real work is now to be done if good crops are expected. Get busy.” (Iron Ore, Op Ed, July 7, 1917)

Storing the potatoes became a concern in September of 1917. “The potato growers who are employees of the Lake Superior Iron company (Oliver Mining Company) can have their crop stored in the mine. Capt. F.E. Keese says there is an ideal place, readily available. It is bricked in, frost proof and can care for all the bushels its men have to be stored throughout the winter.

Trebilcock Bros, in the basement of their greenhouses, in this city, have storage room for several thousand bushels. They would probably want a small price each bushel for caring for the crop of those who want a good safe place where the potatoes would keep perfectly.” (Iron Ore, Sept. 7, 1917)

When the time came to harvest the spuds, the potato clubs faced an unpleasant truth. “It was discovered early in the season that where a club was made of eight members that about three-eighths bent their backs over the hoe and whaled the weeds to death. Those who did not appear on the potato time schedule were prolific with excuses. “ “But now, when the potatoes are big and clean and about ready to dig, the boys who baited the hook and hooked the golf ball throughout the summer are at the patch with their hoes to drag the spuds from their resting place, and if the other members of the corporation do not look lively they will have the major portion of the crop. “ “The club idea looks well in the springtime but it’s mighty unpopular in the fall.” (Iron Ore, Op Ed, Oct. 6, 1917)

Some growers chose to sell their potatoes. “A Chicago commission house is offering $1.00 a bushel and will take up to one hundred carloads” “The digging is under way with a shortage of labor in many cases.” (Iron Ore, Oct. 13, 1917)

The crop was a good one, although some crops stood out. “So far as our observation goes Mr. C.T. Kruse has the finest crop from a larger than garden plot. He had fifty bushels in which all the potatoes ran from one and a quarter pounds to thee and a quarter, there being many of them running over three pounds.” (Iron Ore, Oct. 27, 1917)

In November, the Oliver Mining Company had a potato exhibit for its employees and offered prizes. 116 growers exhibited their potatoes, most of them bringing in their finest specimens. “When some of the Italian growers were asked to bring in samples of their product, they got it into their heads that the company wanted to take a portion or all of the crop away from them. Whether it was some pro German or some practical joker is not known, but when they complied with the request for an exhibit they brought in the very smallest and poorest they could find so it would not be attractive to the judges and a protection against confiscation by the government.” (Iron Ore, Nov. 3, 1917)

Disaster occurred for those who had not yet harvested their crops. “It is estimated that about one-third of the potatoes of Cloverland are still in the ground and that these will be a total loss…We visited North Greenwood this week and found the farmers of that location had most of the crop undug. Napoleon Peppin, one of the oldest residents of that place, and a successful farmer, told us he had dug 75 bushels and had about 600 to 800 bushels in the field with chances not very good for getting them.” (Iron Ore, Nov. 3, 1917)

“Nearly every person who engaged in gardening this year has announced that he will continue it next summer. The need may be greater than it was this year when so much was accomplished. If the war wages, as it probably will, there will be a great demand for foodstuffs and prices will advance over present levels no matter how hard the government may try to keep them down.” (Iron Ore, Dec. 8, 1917)