It set a template for modern agriculture and shifted the balance of power in Europe. It is the one plant associated with imperishable hope. Like faith, its reward stretches into the world as a symbol of bounty unseen, but dependable.

Today, Washington is home to some of the best potatoes in the world, thanks to a foundation built by committed forerunners. A century ago farmers jeopardized their families’ livelihood one spring at a time, one crop at a time, in the hopes of hitting it big each year.

In the Skagit Valley of Washington, farmers gambled that below the water of the bogs precious soil would create a garden paradise. In the central Washington basin, farmers risked everything they had on the chance of water coming from miles away to make the desert bloom.

The Gamble is a 60-minute documentary that explores the personal stories of farm families and their heritage. Through the colorful and touching stories of those who have endured the evolution of the industry, we learn firsthand the true grit that it took to survive and prosper. Featuring narration by Emmy Award winning actor Peter Coyote, exclusive interviews from farmers and historians, archival footage and photographs, The Gamble tells the story of this special crop and the impact it had on the history and culture of the 42nd state.