South of Whitehall, Montana, against towering mountain peaks and under the wide skies, Mark Bausch and his daughter Megan start and end each day with crops on their minds. Megan, who grew up on the farm, says her reason for adopting its future as her own is simple: “family legacy.” 

Bausch Potato Inc. has provided the community with locally-grown, locally-owned products for over a century, and have focused largely on potatoes since 1947. This consistency has resulted in what Mark calls a “long-standing customer base” of “Montanans serving Montanans.” 

While customers can still purchase potatoes in 50lb boxes, their most popular products are the hashbrowns and fries processed on-site for distribution to local cafeterias and restaurants. The operation isn’t large, but it uses technology that’s been tweaked and refined over many years to the benefit of all who enjoy their product. 

In 2024 USDA Rural Development invested in Bausch Potato through the Value-Added Producer Grant (VAPG) program. Under this program, working capital funds help producers increase their customers and revenue through value-added ventures. Reimbursable expenses (like processing, packaging, labeling, and marketing) support growth and sustainability. 

For Bausch Potato, VAPG is supporting working capital needs and the American agriculture way of life. People for miles around are ordering Bausch products for breakfasts, lunches, and dinners, whether they’re aware or not, and supporting their local economy as well.

“We’re serving people who serve the people,” Mark says, “And that’s a good day for us.”