Badger Common’Tater May 2022 Issue
Member Development Program Positions Organization for Future Success
Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association gives members the tools they need to succeed
By Joe Kertzman, managing editor, Badger Common’Tater
Taking part in a potato chip taste test are, from left to right, Donald Maum of Alsum Farms, Jared Suchon of Bushman’s Riverside Ranch, Mike Johnson of McCain Foods, Nicola Carey of Wysocki Family of Companies, and Curtis Meister of Reabe Spraying Service.
It is only by preparing members to be effective that the future success of the Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association (WPVGA) and industry will be realized.
Under that premise, the WPVGA plans and runs a Member Development Program every two years, except during the pandemic in 2021, to give young and future leaders the tools they need to succeed.
On March 16, 2022, 13 graduates of the 2021-’22 Member Development Program attended their last session and enjoyed a nice celebratory social hour and dinner with a short graduation ceremony and photo opportunity.
The purpose of this program is to provide members of the WPVGA, WPVGA Associate Division and Wisconsin Potato Growers Auxiliary with the opportunity to learn about and actively participate in the various facets of the Wisconsin potato and vegetable industry.
The Member Development Program exposes participants to relevant information, resources, activities, and networking opportunities.
Designed as a five-month program, one session is held each month between November and March, and this year participants could choose whether to attend in-person or virtually.
Participants are expected to attend all five sessions, with each being approximately five to seven hours in length and focusing on a particular topic, skill, or issue relevant to the potato and vegetable growing industry.
Preparatory material is provided prior to each session to enhance the value of the meeting and/or associated relevant experience.
The November 2021 program curriculum included a WPVGA overview, program orientation and welcome at the Heartland Farms’ Farm Operations, Technology & Training Center in Hancock, Wisconsin.
