Certification Process
Wisconsin Healthy Grown® Potato brand with Protected Harvest certification is environmentally proactive, socially responsible, and economically viable.
Protected Harvest standards reflect the unique growing requirements and environmental considerations of each crop and region. The standards encompass all aspects of sustainable agricultural systems. Each crop and region-specific standard is divided into three parts. These parts are audited and measured.
- Production: Including field scouting, information sources, pest management, field management, weed management, insect management, disease management, soil and water quality, and storage management.
- Inputs: In order to qualify for certification, growers must stay below an established total number of chemical inputs per acre. Dangerous pesticides are prohibited. Other pesticides may be used with restriction. The overall number of inputs permitted is low, and growers must use their chemical choices wisely in order to pass.
- Chain-of-custody: Each packer or handler of the crop must undergo an additional chain-of-custody handler audit that follows the crop from field to retail, which includes storage, packing, pallet loading, and transportation, ensuring the integrity of Protected Harvest's certification.
