Yearly Archives: 2019
Interview with Curtis Gagas
“No one really knows why Great-Grandpa Henry started farming here, but I’m sure it has to do with the level ground, fertile soil and abundance of stones,” says fourth-generation potato and vegetable grower Curtis Gagas. “His father had a farm about four miles north of…
It Was a Cool Scene in Austin for Potato Expo 2019
It’s a music town, a tech town, and for a few action-packed days, Austin, Texas, was a potato town By Joe Kertzman, managing editor, Badger Common’Tater If you couldn’t find something of interest, to your taste or that made you smile or enjoy yourself at…
Chicken Fajita Stuffed Potatoes
Column and photos by Ali Carter, Wisconsin Potato Growers Auxiliary Recently, Mike complimented me on being a doer and a planner, and I (humbly, I hope) agreed with him. I am a doer and a planner … until I’m not. We all have moments when…
Interview with Chad Malek
By Joe Kertzman, Managing Editor, Badger Common’Tater One of Chad Malek’s first memories is driving tractor picking up pipe when he was six years old. “They put me behind the wheel of an old Allis Chalmers WD model with a hand clutch, so it was…
Coping with Frost-Damaged Potatoes
Consider strategies for managing frost-damaged tubers before we put 2018 to rest By Paul Bethke, U.S. Department of Agriculture and University of Wisconsin-Madison Department of Horticulture, and Troy Fishler, research manager, Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Storage Research Facility, Hancock Agricultural Research Station Rain and cold…
Decadent Scalloped Potatoes
Column and Photos by Ali Carter, Wisconsin Potato Growers Auxiliary Fifteen to 20 minutes of prep time and an hour in the oven will result in the creamiest, most decadently delicious potatoes! The trick to these cheesiest, creamiest potatoes is to use heavy cream, although…
Interview with Mike Baginski
By Joe Kertzman, managing editor A fourth-generation potato grower, and the third generation growing seed potatoes, Mike Baginski has been around the business his whole life and says huge changes have occurred in every decade. “Every year, we try to grow, but we do it…
Seed Oat Processor Helps Potato Growers
By Joe Kertzman, managing editor, Badger Common’Tater What was once a quaint seed oat cleaning operation owned and operated by a lone potato farmer in Antigo, Wisconsin, has evolved to become a sizable rotational crop specialist for almost every potato farm in Langlade County. Schumitsch…
Tater Tot Casserole
Column and photos by Ali Carter, Wisconsin Potato Growers Auxiliary Tater tot casserole is one of those dishes that reminds me of my childhood and the comfort of being bundled up at home on chilly winter days. This recipe is a basic one, and while…
Interview with Alan Mueller
By Joe Kertzman, managing editor Getting potatoes to market was a driving force behind the formation of the Volm Farm Supply Company in the 1950s. Established in 1954, Volm was a small family-run operation in Bryant, Wisconsin, that sold groceries and hardware supplies. Serving local…
