Potatoes are attacked by a variety of agents including nematodes, fungi, bacteria, and viruses. Since potatoes are propagated by tubers, rather than true seed, there is a high probability of passing these disease agents from one crop to the next.  The loss of productivity or "running out" of potatoes is due, in large part, to the accumulation of pathogens when the tuber-to-tuber cycle is not broken by starting with fresh disease-free material.  The Wisconsin Seed Improvement Association was established in 1905 to address this problem, and in 1913 the Association decided to support a formal plan for inspection and certification of seed.  The Seed Potato Certification Program was established in the same year to insure that seed tubers are produced according to specific standards.  The Wisconsin Program was the first to be established in the United States and by 1920 twelve states and all Canadian provinces engaged in Seed Potato Certification Programs.  In most countries, seed certification is under the control of the federal government.  In the United States certification is the responsibility of either a land grant university, a state department of agriculture, a grower association, or (as in Wisconsin) a combination of all three.

The University of Wisconsin established a seed potato farm in Oneida County near Three Lakes in 1941.  In 1984, the farm moved to a new location six miles west of Rhinelander to land made available as a part of a generous bequest from Miss Lelah Starks.  The operation was named Lelah Starks Elite Foundation Seed Potato Farm in honor of Miss Starks' generosity, accomplishments as a pioneer seed potato grower and strong supporter of University of Wisconsin potato research projects.  The primary purpose of the farm is to provide sources of high quality seed (elite foundation) for certified growers in Wisconsin.  This includes a continued supply of established varieties as well as the introduction of disease-tested new varieties.

Production of elite foundation planting stocks for the seed growers of Wisconsin

Inspecting, certifying, and tagging all certified seed potatoes in accordance with the mandates of Wisconsin Administrative Statutes regulating these processes

Engaging in research directed towards the improvement of seed potato production

Serving as a conduit for the introduction of new technologies into the seed potato industry in Wisconsin