Maine has strict requirements for certifying potato seed as organic. All of Nature's Circle's seed must pass inspections by both Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association and the state of Maine itself. The seed must be tested for disease twice while it's in the field and once more in a lab that sprouts the seed before performing a postharvest test. Nature's Circle does a three year rotation with its potatoes using clover and winter rye as cover crops. The farm does flaming, hilling and fingerweeding for weed control, and uses only OMRI-approved pesticides. While cabbage and winter squash have been a farm favorite in past years, York believes table potatoes and seed potatoes are the future of Nature's Circle Farm. " That really seems to be what is the most profitable for us, " she said. " We're the best at it, and we enjoy it the most. " One hundred and thirty of Nature's Circle Farm's production acres are now dedicated solely to growing organic tablestock and 14 different varieties of organic seed potatoes. There are various criteria that influence variety selection, including 18 Spudman * January 2023http://www.nationalpotatocouncil.org