Yearly Archives: 2008
Interview with Duane Maatz
In September of 2008, Duane W. Maatz of Grand Forks, North Dakota was named the new Executive Director of the Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association. Maatz replaced Mike Carter who resigned on June 30, 2008 to take a position as the CEO of Bushmans’,…
Interview with Don Hamerski
Hamerski Farms, Inc. has come a long way since Don Hamerski’s grandfather, Paul, came to Plover, Wisconsin in 1889 and started farming. According to Don, his grandfather raised “a little bit of everything, cows, potatoes, corn, you name it.” Don’s father, Joe, took over the…
Interview with Deana Knuteson
The Wisconsin potato industry is widely recognized as the nation’s leader in terms of environmental stewardship. The state is known for its strong groundwater regulations as well as its commitment to protect the large diversity of plant and animal species that make their homes here. The growers in Wisconsin are known to be progressive in their…
Interview with Dr. Paul Bethke in 2008
An on-going problem in the potato industry on a nationwide level is chip and fry color deterioration during cold weather months in storage. Wisconsin is in a fortunate position in regard to this issue because of the outstanding storage research facility available at the UWHancock…
Interview with Steve Diercks
The name “Diercks” is synonymous with leadership in the Wisconsin potato industry. When Andy Diercks was elected President of the Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association in 2002, he became the fourth generation in his family to serve in that position. Steve Diercks, Andy’s father,…
Interview with McCain Foods USA
Five individuals who work at the McCain Foods USA Plover Factory Agronomy and Field Departments have a world of experience to offer when it comes to knowledge about potato harvesting. In fact, combined they have 142 years of experience in the potato industry. The five…
Interview with Lynda Bula
In 1992, Lynda Bula of Gary Bula Farms, Inc., Grand Marsh, became the first woman to serve on the WPVGA Board of Directors. She completed six years of service on the Board in 1997. In 2004 she was re-elected to the WPVGA Board, and is…
Interview with Kirk Wille
At the WPVGA Annual Meeting held in February, two new members were elected to the the WPVGA Board of Directors—Ron Mach of Mach’s Sunny Acres, Antigo and Kirk Wille of Wysocki Produce Farm, Bancroft. Wille is the only truly new board member, as Mach served…
Interview with Jerry Hetzel
Jerry Hetzel didn’t really want to do this interview. He doesn’t seek publicity and he doesn’t particularly care to be in the limelight, despite the fact that he has won multiple awards for excellence in his profession, which happens to be growing potatoes and vegetables.…
Interview with Jim Beach
The WPVGA’s annual Grower Education Conference and Industry Show is widely considered one of the finest such events in the entire potato industry. Scheduled for February 5-7, 2008 at the Holiday Inn in Stevens Point, this year’s show and conference will once again feature top-notch…
