Super Seniors: Don and Diane Heleba

CENTER RUTLAND, Vt. (WCAX) - Don and Diane Heleba love their land. They have 200 acres in Center Rutland but farm just two. It's enough to keep Diane, 77, and Don, 85, busy.

"He feels the best when he's out in the field," Diane said. "He's a very hard worker."

The Heleba Potato Farm is one of the few left in the state.

Don's 1953 International Harvester is his workhorse.

"I'm going to be embarrassed if it don't start," he said.

It's a brief ride to show me the potatoes unearthed from the soil.

The spud season, Don says, can go until early November. The couple grows different variations of potatoes. Their favorite is German Butterball.

Reporter Joe Carroll: They sell alright?

Don Heleba: The best.

Don grew up on the farm. His father had a dairy operation and also sold potatoes.

"I remember my dad cutting hay with horses, cutting hay and all that stuff," he said.

Don, a former machinist, went back to his childhood roots to grow potatoes. The folks in Idaho and Maine need not worry; the Heleba farm is small potatoes. But down the hill in Rutland, they're a pretty big deal.

Don digs the potatoes but Diane harvests the green at the Rutland Farmers Market. This marks the farm's 50th year. The Helebas have been there for 40.

Diane Heleba: If you eat one of our potatoes, you will not go back to the grocery store.

Joe Carroll: Why so?

Diane Heleba: Because they're grown with love!

The couple sells at two other markets each week.

Back at the homestead, Don's root cellar dates back to his father's time. He still stores potatoes but not too many.

Joe Carroll: So potatoes don't like the light?

Don Heleba: No, they'll get green.

The potatoes sell well at the markets, but farming them can be back-breaking work.

Joe Carroll: Do you ever feel like...

Don Heleba: Quitting?

Joe Caroll: Yeah.

Don Heleba: Sometimes... It's sort of like therapy, I guess you call it.