According to the National Agricultural Statistical Service per acre potato yields in the state of Maine have been virtually stagnant since the 1950s. The ARS- New England Plant, Soil and Water Laboratory is conducting research to identify constraints on potato system productivity. Four cropping systems have been established. They are: 1) a status quo system(s), a barley-potato rotation (the industry standard) and continuous potato; 2) a soil conserving system that includes reduced tillage and the addition of a forage crop followed by potatoes; 3) a soil improving system that includes amendments (manure, compost, e.g.) to system two; and 4) a pest suppressive system that uses no-till barley in year one, a brassica in year two followed by potatoes with biocontrols. Given that the status quo system is a two year rotation with a marketable crop in both years it is a reasonable assumption that net income from this system will be higher than the other systems with three year rotations, but only has a marketable crop in two of years. However, if the other systems lead to increased productivity due to improved nutrition and soil quality and reduced pest incidence and severity, it is possible that the 3 year cropping systems may lead to increased net income and increased long-term sustainability. Our analysis, using the actual increases in yield and quality found in the 3 year systems, compares their economic performance with respect to net income and income risk to the status quo system. Furthermore, in cases where the status quo systems out performed the longer cropping systems the analysis identifies increases needed in yield and improved quality to make them competitive with the status quo systems.