Believe it or not, I have read some place, don't ask me to remember where, that conventional wisdom about planting potatoes early on St Patties Day, just because you can and they will survive is not necessarily the best idea. I read that planting them early like that the plants sprout about the same time that the potato bugs emerge. So the plants are there ready for the bugs cycle. If you delay your planting the bugs may have moved on before your potatoes sprout. I can't say that I have seen this in actual practice, but I have delayed my planting cycle until a bit later because of that advise.
Last year my potatoes did crappy by the way, because of the draught. They did not get the water they needed at the right time to form a lot of potatoes. I expected maybe 60lb from what I planted, I got about 30lb. Had I planted earlier I believe they would have gotten more water at the critical time. You pays your money, you takes your chances,
Never doubt that a small group of dedicated people can change the world, indeed it is the only thing that ever has.