Coloma Farms is a study of innovation and tradition — a 2,700-acre sustainable farm run by third and fourth generation growers, Steve and Andy Diercks. Steve grew up on a potato farm near Antigo, Wisconsin. He moved with his father, Robert, to the Central Sands Plains region in Coloma, Wisconsin, where they developed a great working relationship with the University of Wisconsin (UW) potato researchers — part of the first stages leading to the development of Healthy Grown®. Steve and Andy were involved from the beginning and much of the research done on their farm was integral to the establishment of the Healthy Grown standards.
“The challenge of sustainable farming is producing good quality and high yielding crops while minimizing the impact on the environment. Our experiences working with the potato team at the UW taught us we could do things differently and not only produce exceptional potatoes, but do it in a better way,” notes Andy.
Adds Steve, “We question every step we take on our farm. Working with UW research teams has really challenged our conventional way of thinking — and that benefits everyone.”
Concludes Andy, “Wisconsin is the ‘green’ potato state — and we’re very proud of that.”
So how do the Diercks manage the nefarious Colorado potato beetles and aphids that can damage their crops? The color yellow, a few trenches and some ingenuity. To Outwit A Pest, You Have to Think Like One.
