Wisconsin Potato Growers Bring Attention to Groundwater Awareness Week
WPVGA Highlights Growers’ Sustainable Farming and UW Central Wisconsin Water Initiative
Most of us don’t realize that March 11 – 17 is National Groundwater Awareness Week. And, frankly, we pay it little notice. The Wisconsin Potato and Vegetable Growers Association (WPVGA) would like to change that.
“People tend to take groundwater for granted. We turn on the tap — water comes out,” notes Duane Maatz, Executive Director, WPVGA. “As growers, we’re very aware of groundwater conservation because it’s critical to the environment, our livelihoods, our ability to provide fresh vegetables to the nation and to helping us build a strong agribusiness sector in Wisconsin. We have to be proactive on water conservation issues and we’ll continue to work with communities on this issue.”
Water Conservation in the Central Sands Region
Unlike other states, Wisconsin is blessed with bountiful water resources. In the last two decades, the Central Sands region has experienced increases in business and agribusiness development, population growth and recreational markets — creating ever-increasing demands for water in the heart of Wisconsin’s $6 billion potato and vegetable industry.
To better understand the challenges this region faces, and to help develop scientific responses to those challenges, the University of Wisconsin (UW) launched the Central Wisconsin Water Initiative (CWWI), led by Sam Kung, UW-Madison soil scientist. CWWI is supported by the UW’s Wisconsin Institute for Sustainable Agriculture, and has partnered with the WPVGA Groundwater Task Force — comprised of citizens, farmers, industry leaders and scientists, and co-chaired by central Wisconsin farmers Nick Somers of Plover River Farms, Stevens Point, and Jeremie Pavelski of Heartland Farms, Inc., Hancock.
“Science — not opinion — should drive all discussions on water issues, beginning with a wide range of data collection,” notes Somers. “The more data we have, the more effective our water conservation practices will be.”
The Groundwater Task Force has initiated a region-wide water use survey, established an ongoing database of irrigation well water depths and funded new research for nutrient management. With funding from WPVGA, the Task Force has developed a new irrigation-scheduling tool, along with a well monitoring and data collection project. A recent U.S. Department of Agriculture grant will allow researchers to explore water-efficient irrigation methods.
No Easy Answers
UW scientists are exploring a variety of factors that can affect groundwater levels in the Central Sands — irrigation, climate change, aquifer recharging and evapotranspiration.
Some research points to climate change. Research indicates that evapotranspiration, the rate at which plants give off water in the form of evaporation and transpiration, has increased in the western part of the Great Lakes region. That means plants are “giving up” more water to the atmosphere. Between 1950 and 2006, the average annual temperature in the Central Sands region has also increased by one degree and the growing season has increased by 7 to 14 days according to a report from the Wisconsin Initiative on Climate Change Impact.
A Variety of Possible Solutions
“Our growers have always been proactive about water conservation,” says Maatz. “We’ve taken numerous steps to efficiently manage and conserve water resources — using low-pressure irrigation systems, drop nozzles, moisture probes and well monitoring. And we’re very active in funding UW water conservation research.”
“If research shows us that there’s a way to improve our farming practices, including water management,” adds Pavelski, “we will absolutely implement it.” Pavelski is the recipient of the 2011 National Potato Council Environmental Stewardship Award. Pavelski says Heartland Farms is one of many WPVGA farms that utilize the Wisconsin Irrigation Scheduling Program, low pressure water systems, and drop nozzles that use less energy and place the water closer to the ground, reducing evaporation.
Lead by Example
“Agribusiness has a huge impact on Wisconsin’s economy,” notes Maatz. “We don’t just provide food for the masses, we provide thousands of jobs and generate tax revenues that are important to our communities.”
According to the University of Wisconsin Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics, potatoes in Wisconsin contribute a farm value of nearly $350 million and over 2,700 jobs to the Wisconsin economy. Wisconsin grew over 2.2 billion pounds of potatoes last year, ranking third in the nation for potato production.
“Lakes and waterways are experiencing lower levels in areas where no irrigation occurs and we need to know why,” Maatz says. “It occurs in places where there is no farming and little or no human impact. So what else is there? Climate change; native species populations (trees and grasslands) with increased evapotranspiration—there are many factors to be considered. We are committing significant funding toward research in these areas.
“This isn’t just a challenge we face in Wisconsin — it’s a challenge facing the planet,” Maatz continues. “So we want to be leaders in finding a solution — to conserve water and preserve the economy. We want to keep working with Wisconsin communities to come up with a solution.”
The WPVGA has received numerous awards for its environmental stewardship, including the USDA Secretary’s Honor Award; the World Wildlife Fund Gift to the Earth Award; the International IPM Award of Achievement; and the International Crane Foundation’s Good Egg Award. Several family farms have won National Potato Council Environmental Stewardship Awards, including Heartland Farms, Inc., Plover River Farms, Wysocki Produce Farms, Alsum Farms and Produce, Coloma Farms and Wallendal Supply. And the WPVGA has a certified eco-friendly brand, Healthy Grown. A critical component of sustainable Healthy Grown farming is preservation and conservation of native ecosystems.
Into the Outdoors Wins 8th Emmy Award
Into the Outdoors, a television series dedicated to educating children on Wisconsin’s natural, economic and cultural resources and activities, earned its eighth Emmy award for “The Art and Science of Cheesemaking” and “Tater Tales” in the category of Outstanding Achievement in Children’s/Teen Program or Series. The award was presented November 6 by the Chicago/Midwest Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences at the Alhambra Palace in Chicago, Illinois.
Into the Outdoors, produced by Discover Mediaworks, Inc., is now in its 11th year, and has been nominated for an Emmy every year since its broadcast debut in 2001. The show has built its reputation on the respectful and direct way it educates and informs kids on important topics.
“When the nominations were announced, I sent an e-mail to all the kids we worked with and they were so excited,” said producer, Amy Wallace. “Now, I get to tell them that we actually won! It’s incredible and surreal. I love what I do and to be recognized for the hard work we put into making this show is truly a dream come true!”
The nominated episodes were created in conjunction with the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board (WMMB) and the Wisconsin Potato and Vegetable Growers Association (WPVGA). The focus of the episodes was to educate children about the production and variety of cheeses available in Wisconsin as well as the different types of potatoes produced in the Badger state.
“We are thrilled to receive this prestigious award—recognition of the hard work and creativity of our staff and a reflection of the good work happening on Wisconsin’s dairy farms and in our state’s dairy industry,” said Patrick Geoghegan, WMMB Senior Vice President of Corporate Communications.
Executive Producer, Mark Rose, credits the entire Into the Outdoors team for the success of the popular television show.
“We are overjoyed,” said Rose. “We work extremely hard on creating this show. This award is an acknowledgement of our effort. I’m incredibly proud of the entire team that makes Into the Outdoors possible and look forward to working on many more episodes for years to come.”
Into the Outdoors airs in markets in Wisconsin and throughout the Midwest. A complete listing of stations is available at http://www.IntoTheOutdoors.org. To view the winning episodes, visit www.kiddidel.com.
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2011 Potato Nutrition HandbookWPVGA Celebrates Transfer of Storage Research Facility to UW
Pictured at the Storage Research Facility on Monday, September 26th, 2011 - front row (l to r) Dale Nelson, Walt Stevenson, Bill Wysocki, Kirk Wille, Mary LeMere, and Dwight Mueller; back row (l to r) Jill Grennan, Jeremie Pavelski, Chuck Kostichka, Cliff Gagas, Tom Wild, Dennis Zeloski, Lexi Tenpas, Jim McCarthy, Rep. Keith Ripp, Sen. Julie Lassa, Duane Maatz, and Colleene Thomas.
March 18, 2011 marked a milestone that the WPVGA and its grower members have been working towards for over five years. This is the date when the Potato and Vegetable Storage Research Facility (SRF) located at the UW-Hancock Agriculture Research Station (HARS) in Hancock, WI was paid in full.
With the loan paid off, the WPVGA decided to transfer ownership of the facility to the University of Wisconsin-Madison. To recognize this achievement and to thank everyone who played a part in making the SRF a reality, the WPVGA held a short ceremony on September 26, 2011 that brought together growers, UW researchers, and others involved in the completion of the building and the work being done there.
The vision to build this multi-million dollar, world class storage research facility began back in 2004 when the Wisconsin Potato Industry Board (WPIB) allocated $100,000 for the project. Additional funding from a Specialty Crop Grant in the amount of $700,000 and $300,000 in initial grower donation commitments was followed in 2005 with the WPIB approving a motion to budget a minimum of $150,000/year for the next five years. The monetary commitment for the Storage Research Facility ultimately totaled $2.9 million.
More than 400 people were on hand at the newly completed SRF on July 26, 2006 for the ribbon cutting and dedication. Over the last five years the Storage Research Facility Advisory Committee has worked with University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers to establish research priorities for a wide range of vegetable crops to include potatoes, carrots, beets, onions, and cabbage. The WPVGA and its growers look forward to all the important storage research that will be conducted at the SRF.
Without the incredible commitment from our grower members and industry partners, the Storage Research Facility would have never happened. The WPVGA would like to thank the following people and organizations for their time and financial support.
| Larry & Paula Alsum, Alsum Farms |
| Steve Diercks, Coloma Farms |
| Andy Diercks, Coloma Farms |
| JW Mattek & Sons |
| Edward Okray |
| Richard Pavelski, Heartland Farms |
| Richard Pavelski, Memory of Albert/Irene Pavelski |
| Paul Phillippi, Shiprock Farms |
| John T Schroeder, Schroeder Bros. Farms |
| James Spychalla, James Spychalla Farms |
| Tom Wild, Wild Seed Farms |
| Dennis Zeloski, Felix Zeloski Farms |
| Wysocki Produce Farms |
| Paul Miller Farms |
| Woodford Farms |
| Dennis Bula, Bula Potato Farms |
| Richard & Roderick Gumz, Gumz Muck Farms |
| Brad Igl, Igl Farms LLC |
| Al Sowinski, Sowinski Farms |
| Harvey Wagner, Wagner Farms |
| RD Offutt |
| Edward J Okray Foundation |
| Hamerski Farms |
| Cedar River Potato Co. |
| Klinger Farms |
| H & J Williams Farms |
| Reb’l Acres |
| Royal Farms |
| Gallenberg Farms |
| Hartman Farms |
| Triple C Acres |
| Taterland Farms |
| Wirz, Inc. |
| Northern Sand Farms |
| Gumz Muck Farms, LLC |
| Myron Soik & Sons |
| Lauritzen, Inc. |
| Coloma Farms |
| Allied Industry (Associate Division) |
| Bayer |
| Pest Pros |
| M & I Bank |
| Wilbur Ellis |
| Farm Credit Services in Baraboo, Wausau & East Lansing, MI |
| Volm Bag Company |
| Quinlan’s Equipment |
| Bushmans’ Inc. |
| Wisconsin Seed Potato Improvement Assn. |
| Syngenta Crop Protection |
| Sandra Brown |
| In Kind Donations |
| Central Sands Buildings, Skip Tenpas |
| Nelson’s Vegetable Storage Systems, Dale Nelson |
| Bacon Construction, Dave Bacon |
| Design Tech, Brian Knutson |
| Glover Metal Building Erectors, Mike Glover |
| Gauge Electric, Rod Vezina |
| ALV Engineering, Al Verkuylen |
| Ron’s Refrigeration & Air Cond., Tim Mancl |
| TIP, Steve Tatro |
| Wallendal Supply Co. |
| McCain Foods USA – bin unloader |
| Paul Miller Farms – bulk potatoes for storage research |
| Wysocki Produce Farms – bulk potatoes for storage research |
| McCain Foods USA – bulk potatoes for storage research |
| JW Mattek & Sons – conveyor |
| Big Iron Equipment – parts & labor to construct conveyors |
Spud, Berry, and Dairy Tour Provides Insight into Wisconsin Potato Industry
Spud, Berry, and Dairy Tour attendees pictured at the McCain Foods potato processing plant in Plover, WI.
The WPVGA, along with the Stevens Point and Wisconsin Rapids Convention and Visitors Bureaus, held the Spud, Berry, and Dairy Tour September 26-28. The tour was designed to give those interested in Wisconsin agriculture an inside view of some of the industry’s most important operations.
The Spud portion of the tour was held on Monday, September 26th and included stops at Heartland Farms, Inc. and the Hancock Agriculture Research Station both in Hancock, WI, Paragon Potato Farms packing facility in Bancroft, WI, and the McCain Foods potato processing plant in Plover, WI. Day two of the tour focused on the cranberry industry, and day three offered insight into Wisconsin’s dairy industry.
The 40 Tour attendees included people from within Wisconsin as well as other states, along with special guests Alice in Dairyland, Katie Wirkus, Jill Grennan from U.S. Senator Ron Johnson’s office, Colleene Thomas from U.S. Senator Herb Kohl’s office, State Senator Julie Lassa, and State Representative Keith Ripp. In addition to attending the tour, Representative Ripp also spoke to the group offering his unique perspective as both an elected official and an active farmer.
One of the highlights of the tour took place at the Storage Research Facility in Hancock where a wide range of University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers explained the research projects and science that helps to ensure the future of Wisconsin’s potato and vegetable industry. Speakers included A.J. Bussan, Paul Bethke, Jed Colquhoun (Department of Horticulture), Russ Groves (Department of Entomology), Mary LeMere (Hancock Agriculture Research Station), and Amanda Gevens (Department of Plant Pathology).
The WPVGA would like to offer a special thank you to Jeremie and Alicia Pavelski – Heartland Farms, Melissa Sylte, Neil Simon, and Shawn Wilkes – RPE/Paragon Potato Farms, Mary LeMere – HARS, Kerry Larson and Susan Ziebell – McCain Foods, Sara Brish – Stevens Point Convention & Visitors Bureau, and A.J. Frels – Wisconsin Rapids Convention & Visitors Bureau, for all the time and hard work they put into making the Spud, Berry, and Dairy Tour a success. Thanks also go out to Lamers Bus Lines, Inc. for providing the tour bus.
Multi-Million-Dollar One-of-a-Kind Potato and Vegetable Storage Research Facility Celebrated by UW Researchers and Wisconsin Agricultural industry Leaders
On September 26, 2011, representatives from the Wisconsin Potato and Vegetable Growers Association (WPVGA) will ceremoniously “hand over the keys” of the Potato and Vegetable Storage Research Facility (SRF) to the University of Wisconsin–Madison (UW). The ceremony will give the WPVGA a chance to recognize and thank everyone that was instrumental in making the vision of the SRF into a reality. The SRF is a great example of how Wisconsin growers continue to work with industry partners to invest in the future of agriculture.
The SRF was conceived, designed and built by Wisconsin potato growers to provide growers and UW researchers with a state-of-the-art facility in which to study the relationship between field management and storage practices of fresh produce. “Our growers work with UW researchers throughout the year — from seeding to harvesting — to produce high quality produce with minimal effect on the environment,” notes Duane Maatz, Executive Director of the WPVGA. “This facility allows them not only to improve storage methods, but to see how their growing practices affect sugar content, storage and handling issues after harvesting. It allows them to connect all the dots between seeding, growing, storing and delivering potatoes,” Maatz adds.
Initiated in May 2006, funding for the multi-million dollar facility was secured by the WPVGA with the assistance of five Wisconsin potato growers, including Greg Wysocki of Wysocki Produce Farms; Dennis Zeloski, of Muck Farms, Inc.; TJ Kennedy, of Heartland Farms, Inc.; Steve Diercks, of Coloma Farms, Inc.; and Tom Wild, of Wild Seed Farms, Inc. The facility is located at the Hancock Agriculture Research Station and focuses on four areas of research:
- Improving quality of seed potatoes
- Improving quality and consistency of potatoes grown, stored, marketed and processed in Wisconsin
- Reducing losses of stored potatoes
- Implementing a longer storage season
“Wisconsin has a unique growing environment and shorter growing season,” adds Maatz. “This facility allows us to perform localized research that specifically addresses the challenges, and identifies the opportunities, our environment presents. And the facility can, and has, been used to conduct research concerning other fresh produce including carrots, onions, beets, cabbage, squash and pumpkins. Ultimately, this research will help bring quality fresh Wisconsin produce to consumers year round.”
Notes Mary LeMere, Interim Superintendent – Storage Research Manager, Hancock Agricultural Research Station, “Research conducted at this facility is applicable to everyday commercial potato storage management as a result of the cooperation and engagement of our local growers and processors with University of Wisconsin-Madison research programs. This partnership provides the potential for truly innovative research that directly impacts the potato industry from seed development to creating a finished marketable product.”
Highlights of the facility are as follows:
- The facility houses nine 2,000 cwt (2 million pounds) bulk bins for large-scale research and nine storage lockers for smaller trials. Each unit is independently controlled to prevent cross-contamination. Each has its own air exchange, humidification and refrigeration systems that can be controlled remotely via Internet access.
- The efforts of 10 academic groups resulted in research conducted on over 18 million pounds of potatoes last year.
- Storage sugar analysis and fry testing services are available through the Processing and Quality Assurance Laboratories.
- A few of the topics investigated at the facility include stem end defects, influence of vine kill timing on storage, evaluations of advanced and elite breeding lines, pressure bruise and shrink in storage, sprout inhibitor trials, ethylene impact on stem end defects and sprouting, PVY development in storage, fungicide efficacy, ozone in bulk piles and insect stresses on storage quality.
- A group of potato growers, industry representatives, and University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers serve as the Storage Research Advisory Committee and provide guidance for facility operations and research priorities.
The ceremony is part of the Spud, Berry and Dairy Tour and begins with a tour of the facility at 11 a.m. Among the attendees will be Wisconsin growers, UW researchers, Duane Maatz, Executive Director of the WPVGA, and other special guests important to Wisconsin agriculture.
WPVGA Exhibits at Food for Thought Festival
The WPVGA was one of over 50 exhibitors at the 13th annual Food for Thought Festival in Madison, Wisconsin on Saturday, September 17. Organized by REAP (Research, Education, Action and Policy) Food Group, this festival celebrates the opportunity to eat more pleasurably, healthfully, and sustainably with a focus on the Buy Local movement and Wisconsin farmers. The event took place in the shadow of the Capitol on Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. and offered attendees food samples, cooking demonstrations, and a chance to meet local growers.
Activities included a special appearance by WPVGA spokeswoman Suzy Favor Hamilton who interacted with the crowd letting everyone know about the importance of buying locally grown Wisconsin potatoes and the nutritional benefits they offer.
Also helping out at the WPVGA booth were Rick Kantner from Alsum Farms & Produce, UW researcher Paul Bethke, Tim Feit from the WPVGA, and Sydney Marks who donned the Penelope Potato mascot costume. Event attendees were offered delicious WPVGA potato chips, recipe brochures, and information on Wisconsin potatoes.
Adding to the fun, Suzy Favor Hamilton also participated in the WPVGA’s potato sack races near the Kids’ Tent, reminding everyone to stay active and eat healthy. Both kids and adults enjoyed participating in the races. All participants were rewarded with bags of Wisconsin Healthy Grown Potatoes and Alsum’s Fast & Fresh microwaveable potatoes.
Tera Von Dollen and Suzy Favor Hamilton pictured with Penelope Potato at the Food for Thought Festival.
Rick Kantner of Alsum Farms and Produce, Penelope Potato (Sydney Marks), Suzy Favor Hamilton, and University of Wisconsin researcher, Paul Bethke, help get the buy local message out at the Food for Thought Festival in Madison.
Powered by Potatoes Team Participates in Waupaca Triathlon
Pictured after the Waupaca Triathlon on Saturday, August 20th are:
Front row (l to r): Kamber Pekarske, Isabella Braaksma, Kelsey Pekarske, Kennedy Smit, Kobe Smit; Second row: Matt Pekarske, Steve Prochnow, Laura Braaksma, Candy Smit, Derrick Smit, Doug Posthuma; Third Row: Wendy Dykstra, Matt Braaksma, Larry Alsum, Tyler Fischer, Randy Fischer.
The Biggest Tater Trot Yet
Suzy with first place men (Mitch Esker) and women's (Stephanie Tainter) 10K finishers.
Mild summer temperatures, tasty baked Wisconsin potatoes and Wisconsin’s very own three-time Olympian, Suzy Favor Hamilton, helped make the 31st Annual Tater Trot the best and biggest yet. Over 300 athletes participated, including 78-year-old Kent Schlienger of Pelican Lake.
Ms. Favor Hamilton placed herself in the middle of the 10K pack and was available to congratulate race finishers. Antigo natives Mitch Esker (39:29.9) and Stephanie Tainter (38:15.5) posted first place finishes in the 10K event.
We’d like to thank everyone who participated. And we invite you to attend the REAP Food for Thought Festival on September 17 in Madison, Wisconsin. The Festival provides visitors with an entertaining look at healthy, sustainable food options. Suzy will be there sharing fresh potato chips and Wisconsin potato recipes.
Watch this interview with Suzy Favor Hamilton at the Tater Trot.