June 2023 Badger Common'Tater

$28/year | $2.50/copy | Volume 75 No. 6 | JUNE 2023

THE VOICE OF WISCONSIN'S POTATO & VEGETABLE INDUSTRY

HARVEST & SPECIALTY VEHICLES/TRACTORS

INTERVIEW:

RANDY FLEISHAUER

Plover River Farms Alliance Inc.

The purple flowers of Reveille Russet plants are picture perfect in this photo taken on Plover River Farms in July 2021. Image courtesy of Tricia Kertzman

SPUDS THAT RESIST Harmful Nematodes?

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On the Cover: Two years ago, Tricia Kertzman, wife of Badger Common’Tater Managing Editor Joe Kertzman, was so struck by the beauty of a potato field while driving down Highway 66 in Ellis, Wisconsin, that she pulled over and took the cover photo. It depicts a field of Reveille Burbank potatoes growing on Plover River Farms. Randy Fleishauer, general manager of the farm, is this issue’s interviewee.

8 BADGER COMMON’TATER INTERVIEW: Russet Burbank potatoes are picked at dawn, with the rising sun shining beautifully between the DoubleL Harvester and truck, on Plover River Farms, in September 2017. This issue’s interviewee, Randy Fleishauer, general manager of Plover River Farms, says the operation raises 1,150 acres of potatoes, including 500 for processing and the rest going to the fresh market. Presided over

by Nick Somers, the farm has been in his family for generations.

DEPARTMENTS: BADGER BEAT.................... 41 EYES ON ASSOCIATES......... 51 MARK YOUR CALENDAR...... 6

16

39

53

MARKETPLACE................... 26

POTATOES THAT RESIST HARMFUL NEMATODES

NEW PRODUCTS

ALI’S KITCHEN

NOW NEWS....................... 28

Can litchi tomato genes be introduced into potatoes?

The Little Potato Company launches a new website, campaign, and packaging

Greek Cinnamon Potatoes combine complex spices with crispy roasted spuds

FEATURE ARTICLES: 20 2023 ECONOMIC OUTLOOK: There’s an upside for farmers despite bank upheavals

NPC NEWS......................... 52 PEOPLE.............................. 46 PLANTING IDEAS.................. 6

36 FINDINGS SHOW NO LINK between eating potatoes and cardiometabolic disease

POTATOES USA NEWS........ 24

48 MINERAL CALLED STRUVITE has potential to be an effective phosphorous fertilizer

WPIB FOCUS...................... 45

4

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WPVGA Board of Directors: President: Randy Fleishauer Vice President: Charlie Mattek Secretary: John Bustamante Treasurer: Alex Okray Directors: Mike Carter, Wendy Dykstra, Bill Guenthner, Josh Knights & J.D. Schroeder Wisconsin Potato Industry Board: President: Heidi Alsum-Randall Vice President: Andy Diercks Secretary: Bill Wysocki Treasurer: Keith Wolter Directors: John Bobek, John Fenske, Jim Okray, Eric Schroeder & Tom Wild WPVGA Associate Division Board of Directors: President: Matt Selenske

Vice President: Andy Verhasselt Secretary: Emily Phelps Treasurer: Paul Salm Directors: Melissa Heise, Ethan Olson, Morgan Smolarek, Sally Suprise & Brandon Taylor Wisconsin Seed Potato Improvement Association Board of Directors: President: Matt Mattek Vice President: Jeff Suchon Secretary/Treasurer: Clover Spacek Directors: Charlie Husnick & Andy Schroeder Wisconsin Potato Growers Auxiliary Board of Directors: President: Brittany Bula Vice President: Datonn Hanke Secretary/Treasurer: Heidi Schleicher Directors: Erin Baginski, Misti Ward, Becky Wysocki & Devin Zarda

Mission Statement of the WPVGA: To advance the interests of WPVGA members through education, information, environmentally sound research, promotion, governmental action and involvement.

Mission Statement of the WPVGA Associate Division: To work in partnership with the WPVGA as product and service providers to promote mutual industry viability by integrating technology and information resources.

Badger Common’Tater is published monthly at 700 Fifth Avenue, Antigo, Wisconsin 54409

info@allenequipment

WPVGA Staff Executive Director: Tamas Houlihan Managing Editor: Joe Kertzman Director of Promotions & Consumer Education: Dana Rady Financial Officer: Karen Rasmussen Executive Assistant: Julie Braun Program Assistant: Jane Guillen Spudmobile Education and Outreach Administrator: George Neuber

WPVGA Office (715) 623-7683 • FAX: (715) 623-3176 E-mail: wpvga@wisconsinpotatoes.com Website: www.wisconsinpotatoes.com LIKE US ON FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/WPVGA

Subscription rates: $2.50/copy, $28/year; $45/2 years.

Foreign subscription rates: $35/year; $55/2 years.

Telephone: (715) 623-7683 Mailing address: P.O. Box 327, Antigo, Wisconsin 54409 Or, subscribe free online: http://wisconsinpotatoes.com/blog-news/subscribe/ ADVERTISING: To advertise your service or product in this magazine, call (715) 630-6213, or email: Joe Kertzman: jkertzman@wisconsinpotatoes.com.

The editor welcomes manuscripts and pictures but accepts no responsibility for such material while in our hands.

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MARK YOUR

Calendar JUNE

16

27-29

JULY

6 6 8

12

13 18-20 27

WSPIA SPUD SEED CLASSIC GOLF OUTING Bass Lake Golf Course Deerbrook, WI NATIONAL POTATO COUNCIL SUMMER MEETING Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort Incline Village/Lake Tahoe, NV GROWER ED MEETING Insight FS, 10 a.m.

Antigo, WI ANTIGO FIELD DAY Langlade Ag Research Station Antigo, WI PARDEEVILLE TRIATHLON Chandler Park, 8 a.m.

Pardeeville, WI 2023 ASSOC. DIV. PUTT-TATO OPEN GOLF OUTING Bullseye Golf Club Wisconsin Rapids, WI HARS FIELD DAY Hancock Ag Research Station Hancock, WI 2023 WISCONSIN FARM TECHNOLOGY DAYS Badger Steam and Gas Engine Club Grounds Baraboo, WI LELAH STARKS ELITE FOUNDATION SEED POTATO FARM FIELD DAY County Road K Rhinelander, WI

AUGUST

5

7-9 19

MK SPLASH-N-DASH Jack Lake Deerbrook, WI POTATOES USA SUMMER MEETING Milwaukee, WI WAUPACA AREA TRIATHLON South Park, 7 a.m.

Waupaca, WI

SEPTEMBER

5-9 9

POTATO BOWL USA Grand Forks-East Grand Forks, ND & MN 2023 SPUD BOWL Community Stadium at Goerke Park, 1 p.m.

Stevens Point, WI

OCTOBER

19

19-21 23-24

6

4TH ANNUAL SPORTING CLAYS SHOOT Wausau Skeet and Trap Club Wausau/Brokaw, WI THE GLOBAL PRODUCE & FLORAL SHOW Anaheim Convention Center Anaheim, CA WPVGA RESEARCH MEETING West Madison Research Station and virtual. 1 p.m. on Monday, 8 a.m. on Tuesday Verona, WI

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Planting Ideas Having never been to Toronto, it was my

privilege to help represent the Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association (WPVGA) at the 2023 Canadian Produce Marketing Association Convention and Trade Show. There to learn about the industry from our neighbors to the north, the WPVGA took advantage of Export Expansion Grants awarded by the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection. The grants, earmarked for exploring access to the Canadian potato market, partially funded several grower members’ trips to Toronto.

The photo above, taken by John Groh, ran in The Produce News’ coverage of the event, and shows, from left to right, yours truly; David Wickline of Alsum Farms & Produce, Friesland, Wisconsin; Mark Finnessy, Okray Family Farms, Plover; and Mike Gatz from Bushmans’ Inc. in Rosholt. WPVGA Director of Promotions & Consumer Education Dana Rady set up and helped run the booth at the trade show. For more, see “Marketplace.”

“People caught doing good” in this issue include Eagle River Seed Farm and Potatoes USA, which together donated more than 600 pounds of spuds to the Vilas Food Pantry in Eagle River, Wisconsin. Read all about their generous efforts in “Potatoes USA News” herein. And not to be outdone was Okray Family Farms, of Plover, and employees who were photographed picking up garbage around Highway 54. See “Now News” in this issue for a great picture that was captured of the clean-up crew.

It was also my privilege and pleasure to interview Randy Fleishauer of Plover River Farms for this Harvest & Specialty Vehicles/Tractors issue of the Badger Common’Tater. Randy has taken the fast track in the Wisconsin potato and vegetable growing industry, having started with Plover River Farms a short six years ago as farm manager and run full speed ahead in his duties. He joined the WPVGA Board of Directors shortly thereafter and currently serves as president of the Board.

Plover River Farms is helmed by Nick and Dianne Somers, who have each been heavily involved with the WPVGA on boards and committees and are well respected in the Wisconsin potato industry. See the “Interview” inside.

Please email me with your thoughts and questions. If you wish to be notified when our free online magazine is available monthly, here is the subscriber link: http://wisconsinpotatoes.com/blog-news/subscribe.

Joe Kertzman

Managing Editor jkertzman@wisconsinpotatoes.com

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Interview

RANDY FLEISHAUER,

general manager, Plover River Farms Alliance Inc.

By Joe Kertzman, managing editor, Badger Common’Tater

NAME: Randy Fleishauer TITLE: General manager COMPANY: Plover River Farms Alliance Inc. LOCATION: Stevens Point, WI HOMETOWN: Arkansaw (Yes, that is spelled correctly), WI YEARS IN PRESENT POSITION: Six PREVIOUS EMPLOYMENT: Twenty-five years with R.D. Offutt Company in potato and wheat production ACTIVITIES/ORGANIZATIONS: Though Randy says, “I just farm,” he is serving his second term on the Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association (WPVGA) Board of Directors, currently as president FAMILY: Wife, Anna; children, Rick and Tara; and two granddaughters, Carmella and Emily HOBBIES: Hunting, occasional horrific golfing displays, and a few other various stress-relieving attempts 8

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The question isn’t “why would he,” but why wouldn’t Randy Fleishauer have wanted to return to Wisconsin and go to work for Plover River Farms in Stevens Point?

With a strong agricultural background and love for the Midwest, and Wisconsin in particular, Fleishauer would be joining a farm known for sustainable and eco-friendly practices as well as being part of the Healthy Grown program, including prairie restoration on portions of the land.

Nick’s uncle Don was one of the first in the Stevens Point area to buy a pivot irrigation system, and, in 1968, Ann, Don and Nick joined together to form Plover River Farms, Inc. It was then that Nick married his wife, Dianne, and together started their own family.

Helmed by Nick Somers, president of Plover River Farms, the operation has been a family affair for generations.

Fleishauer, meanwhile, who grew up on a small dairy farm in Arkansaw, in Pepin County, Wisconsin, and had made a career in the agriculture industry both within and outside of the state, never forgot his roots and true passion for farming.

When Nick was five months old, his father died of a sudden heart attack, and his mother, Ann Somers, packed him and his three-year-old sister up, taking them to her home farm where she teamed up with her brother, Don Cychosz, to make a life for the family.

They raised mink, farmed dairy cattle, and grew hand-picked green beans, strawberries and eventually potatoes, the latter of which became promising with the development of irrigation.

Above: Randy Fleishauer had been with R.D. Offutt for 25 years in several locations before joining Plover River Farms as general manager. After learning the background and history of Plover River Farms, a Wisconsin Healthy Grown operation helmed by Nick and Dianne Somers, in Stevens Point, the idea of being back in the state where he was born and raised, and growing potatoes, appealed to Fleishauer.

Right: Caribou potatoes are planted at Plover River Farms, Stevens Point, Wisconsin, in April 2023, using a Lockwood vacuum planter pulled by a John Deere 8370 R tractor.

In 2017, he joined Plover River Farms Alliance, Inc. as general manager, and only a few years later, the Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association Board of Directors, where he serves today as president.

You grew up on a small dairy farm in Pepin County, Wisconsin. Did you know back then that you wanted to work in the agriculture industry, and if so, why? I did. I was never crazy about the cattle aspect of the farm, but I thoroughly enjoyed the crop and equipment part of the operation, so I also worked as a service tech at a John Deere dealership for six years

before getting into potatoes.

I really enjoyed the work and people.

I worked with tons of farmers having varying types and sizes of operations … and personalities, the latter being as interesting as the work.

Do you have a favorite memory or memories of growing up on the farm? I have many. The farm is a great place to grow up.

IN PLAIN SIGHT

Dad kept an eye on me that first week. I was only allowed to be in first gear until I was ready for more. Well, what red-blooded American kid is going to stay in first gear?

I bugged him for second gear until he relented. So, with the chores done, it was finally time to unhook the wagon and take my fine ride back through the farmyard to put it back in the

We had a couple of smaller tractors for little jobs, an Allis Chalmers WD 40 and a Farmall H, and every farm kid remembers the first time he or she got to drive solo.

POTATO PROTECTION

Those little four-speed tractors were, of course, the “starters.” I could barely reach the pedals without sliding all the way off the seat, but man was I happy. Freedom! ’merica!

continued on pg. 10

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Interview. . .

continued from pg. 9

shed … in second gear!

in fourth gear. Road gear.”

I felt like I was flying. I got it reined in and parked in the shed, shaking just a bit. I got off with wobbly knees and turned toward the open door where my dad leaned, arms crossed.

I gulped. He fought back a grin and told me that, despite my efforts to give him a heart attack, I handled it just fine so from then on, I could use whatever gear was appropriate.

At the time, I thought he was frowning, though now I know it was more of an effort to frown through amusement. I said, “Boy, second gear is a lot different.” Dad said, “No, not really. Not very much. You wouldn’t know that though because you were

He emphasized that, of course, road gear through the yard was not appropriate and next time his reaction would be quite different.

Kids!

You also worked for 25 years at R.D. Offutt in many locations. What were

Left: Nick and Dianne Somers, owners of Plover River Farms, pose during the 2018 Industry Show Awards Banquet, in Stevens Point, when Nick was inducted into the Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association (WPVGA) Hall of Fame.

Right: Dan Walsch of Plover River Farms took this pre-dawn photo of a Lenco harvester digging yellow potatoes in Stevens Point, Wisconsin.

you tasked with, and what are your main takeaways from that time? I was farm manager for them in several locations in Wisconsin, Minnesota, and South Dakota. I enjoyed digging into each new area.

I was usually asked to transfer to a new locale in late February or March, so there was never an abundance of time to wrap my head around everything before planting the crop in April.

Diving into soil and plat maps, finding all the fields and seeing what they were like, meeting existing employees and hiring new ones, sorting out suppliers and supply chains, and conducting a quick evaluation were always challenges that I enjoyed.

The historic Plover River Farms photo shows Nick Somers, left, with Andrew Rompalski (center), and Nick’s first cousin, Ted Cychosz, planting strawberries.

10 BC�T June

There was also the personal end of it—selling and buying a place to park my boots and trying to remember at the end of those first few days in a continued on pg. 12

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Interview. . .

continued from pg. 10

Right: Nick Somers takes a break from potato planting, in 2012, to pose on the tractor at Plover River Farms, Stevens Point, Wisconsin.

new location how to get home.

One thing that sticks with me, aside from the farming, was the diversity and mini culture, if you will, of each area. The differences and similarities of the people, their practices, lifestyles, habits, and even how they spoke were interesting.

It’s something I never paid very much attention to when traveling or visiting somewhere, because when moving outside your home region, you expect

the differences to some degree. But when you live day to day in different areas within your home region, you start to notice the nuances.

My main takeaway, though, is that no matter where you go, you will meet some great people and make friends.

Although those friendships inevitably fade somewhat, most are lifelong.

Why did you join Plover River Farms in 2017 as farm manager, and what appealed to you about the position?

I was living and working near Fort Pierre, South Dakota, raising 32,000 acres of predominately wheat west of the Missouri River. I was contacted about the position at Plover River, and after a couple of phone conversations, met with Nick and Dianne Somers and the people there.

After learning of the background and history of their operation, the idea of being back in Wisconsin growing potatoes was appealing, so we decided to make the move. That was a good decision and we’re happy here.

You joined the WPVGA Board, and after a few short years, are now president. Why is it important for you to be involved? Wisconsin potato and vegetable growers have worked together very hard, very diligently, and persistently for decades to improve and educate themselves, their customers, and the public.

It’s impressive that the growers view themselves and each other as a community of like-minded businesspeople with common goals and an equal voice regardless of the size of their operations.

Left: This image of a beautiful field of Reveille potatoes with purple flowers on Plover River Farms was captured by Tricia Kertzman in July 2021.

12 BC�T June

“It’s impressive that Wisconsin potato and vegetable growers view themselves and each other as a community of likeminded businesspeople with common goals and an equal voice regardless of the size of their operations.”

Randy Fleishauer accepts the McCain Foods Champion Bruise Free Award, on behalf of Plover River Farms, for Crop Year 2021.

– Randy Fleishauer, Plover River Farms

They’ve worked together for so long to improve and enhance the industry in Wisconsin. I’m happy to help in any way I can.

acres of potatoes, including 500 for processing and the remainder going to the fresh market, rotated with sweet corn, peas, and soybeans.

What type of potato and vegetable acreage is Plover River Farms producing on rotation, and for what markets? Annually, we average 3,200 acres overall, with 1,150

Processing potatoes are contracted out with McCain Foods, and fresh market potatoes go through Paragon Farms. Vegetable crops are grown for Seneca Foods and Nortera Foods.

How many full- and part-time employees do you have? Seasonal?

Plover River Farms employs 12 fulltime, six part-time, and 20-plus seasonal workers.

How did the planting season go this year? As usual, the weather made it a bit sporadic, 85 degrees one week, continued on pg. 14

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Interview. . .

continued from pg. 13

snow the next, throw in some rain after that. Mother Nature loves to test a farmer’s patience.

Are you already looking ahead to harvest, and if so, how are you preparing? Yes, we’re looking ahead to harvest as does everyone else, I’m sure, planning years ahead for long term, months ahead seasonally,

weeks ahead for fluidity, and daily as changes hit.

Left: A bin is filled with russet potatoes at Plover River Farms.

Planning helps keep me sane, though some might argue the sanity part.

Right: A potato truck is filled at Plover River Farms in this 2018 image taken by the Badger Common’Tater editor.

Holding yearly post-harvest discussions while things are still fresh in everyone’s mind generally helps to streamline, improve, and make the process safer. We’re fortunate

to have a great group of people who care and are willing to provide input to keep improving.

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Are you using any new machinery or methods this season? We are moving to more no-till with sweet corn where possible, so we’ve upgraded our planter to better accomplish that.

There are some upgrades, but really nothing technologically new on the potato side this year.

What do you most enjoy about potato and vegetable farming in Central Wisconsin and working for Plover River Farms Alliance? The answer to that is simple. I love what I do, where I do it, and the people I do it with. I know that sounds a bit cliché, but honestly, if you’re lucky enough to get there, the day that truth hits you is a great one.

A John Deere 8370 R tractor is set up for hilling potatoes at Plover River Farms, May 2023.

Nick Somers (left) of Plover River Farms, hands out potato cookies to participants and attendees of the WPVGA-sponsored 2019 Crazylegs Classic run/walk in Madison, Wisconsin. The WPVGA mascot, Spudly, interacts with a youth participant.

Nick Somers poses in front of the Wisconsin Spudmobile traveling billboard and educational vehicle.

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Nematode Resistant Spuds

University of Idaho researchers introduce genes from the litchi tomato plant into potatoes Reprinted with permission from the University of Idaho University of Idaho (U of I) researchers are introducing genes from a plant in the nightshade family into potatoes, seeking to develop spuds that resist harmful nematodes.

Louise-Marie Dandurand, have worked for several years studying a range of possibilities for using litchi tomato as a tool to avert nematoderelated yield losses in potatoes.

The plant, called litchi tomato, has natural resistance to several species of cyst and root-knot nematodes.

Litchi tomato has been planted as a “trap crop” in the program, quarantined in a small area of eastern Idaho, to eradicate pale cyst nematode (PCN). When planted in fields infested with PCN, litchi tomato stimulates cysts to hatch in the absence of a viable host, causing them to starve.

“That’s an unusual trait to have such broad resistance,” says Allan Caplan, associate professor, U of I Department of Plant Sciences, who is involved in the project.

Nematode cysts can remain viable in fields for more than a decade, and they can be found down to 3 feet deep in soil.

U of I researchers, led by nematologist and plant pathologist 16 BC�T June

Dandurand also has a post-doctoral researcher seeking to identify chemicals in litchi tomato that harm or kill nematodes. The chemicals that prove effective could be refined and applied directly to fields as pesticides.

Above: By introducing genes from the litchi tomato plant into potatoes, University of Idaho researchers seek to develop nematode-resistant spuds. Photos courtesy of the University of Idaho

“If we see resistance in Desiree, then we’ll make an effort to introduce it [the nematode-killing gene] into russets.”

– Allan Caplan,

associate professor, University of Idaho Department of Plant Sciences

Caplan and Fangming Xiao, a professor in the Department of Plant Sciences, have been working to identify genes in litchi tomato that are specifically expressed when nematodes attack the plant.

matter of trial and error.”

277 GENES “We found at least 277 genes that got turned on,” Caplan said. “We think not all of them are necessary.

We need to make educated guesses of which to try first, and it’s really a

The researchers turned over some of the genes they suspect may be directly involved in killing nematodes to Joseph Kuhl, associate professor in the Department of Plant Sciences, who used biotechnology to introduce

“We’re relatively certain some of these are going to have a big effect,” he adds, “but we can’t say with certainty which ones they’re going to be.”

Above: University of Idaho researchers, led by nematologist and plant pathologist Louise-Marie Dandurand, have worked for several years studying a range of possibilities for using litchi to eradicate pale cyst nematode (PCN)—shown on a potato.

When planted in fields infested with PCN, litchi tomato stimulates cysts to hatch in the absence of a viable host, causing them to starve. Photo courtesy of the University of Idaho

continued on pg. 18

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Nematode Resistant Spuds . . . continued from pg. 17

them into a red-skinned potato variety, Desiree, last summer.

aren’t considered to be genetic modifications.

Desiree was chosen because it’s relatively easy to transform through genetic modification.

Their work has been funded by several sources, including the Idaho Potato Commission, the Northwest Potato Consortium, and the federal Plant Protection Act.

“If we see resistance in Desiree, then we’ll make the effort to introduce it into russets,” Caplan said.

Xiao created some biotech potatoes using litchi tomato genes last fall, and Caplan is set to introduce additional litchi tomato genes into potatoes this summer. All their growing, infecting and analysis is taking place in closed growth chambers.

By first using genetic engineering to find the pathway through which litchi tomato protects itself, Caplan believes researchers may later be able to change gene expression to protect potatoes from nematodes through laboratory methods that

18 BC�T June

About the University of Idaho The University of Idaho, home of the Vandals, is Idaho’s land-grant national research university. From its residential campus in Moscow, U of I serves the state of Idaho through educational centers in Boise, Coeur d’Alene, and Idaho Falls, nine research and Extension centers, plus Extension offices in 42 counties.

Home to nearly 11,000 students statewide, U of I is a leader in student-centered learning and excels at interdisciplinary research, service to businesses and communities, and in advancing diversity, citizenship, and global outreach. U of I competes in the Big Sky and Western Athletic conferences.

Learn more at https://www.uidaho.edu.

Pale cyst nematodes emerge from the roots of a potato plant. Photo courtesy of the University of Idaho

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2023 Economic Outlook There’s an upside for farms and agribusinesses despite bank upheavals

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Market conditions and economic data continue to stabilize. Sure, there are

lots of concerning headlines with inflation, some banks under stress, and unease with companies and stocks.

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WHEN THERE’S A NEED FOR SEPARATION.

The end of an interest rate hike cycle means increasing liquidity. Market dislocations also allow for new participants to take part in investing.

When we consider our economic outlook, we look at four factors: the economy, industry, policy, and the markets. Here’s what we’re seeing in these four factors.

ECONOMIC OUTLOOK Inflation-adjusted gross domestic product (GDP)—the broadest measure of economic activity—was positive in the first quarter of 2023, continuing the trend since mid-2022.

While the first two quarters of 2022 were negative, the second two were positive and exceeded expectations.

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Above: Consumer spending is the biggest factor in measuring gross domestic product (GDP), and Walmart, the country’s largest retailer, announced earlier this year that it expects consumer spending to remain steady going forward. This is good news for potato and vegetable growers.

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we were at the end of 2022 when it seemed like the Fed was going to raise interest rates forever.

the country’s biggest retailer, announced earlier this month it expects consumer spending to remain steady going forward. This is good news for potato and vegetable growers.

Certainly, there are areas of softness in certain economic sectors, but, overall, the economy looks quite healthy, including for agribusinesses.

“Business owners should have money in several different banks in preparation for a worst-case scenario so that they make payroll in case of a bank failure.”

INDUSTRY OUTLOOK—BANKING The industry outlook isn’t quite as rosy, especially considering the banking industry upheaval. But there was some good news coming out of the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank.

–C hristopher Dhanraj CliftonLarsonAllen

The biggest positive indicator for the economy was the Fed’s quick decision to fully protect all depositors.

Some people think the Fed is tone deaf and was only focused on raising interest rates, but the announcements following Silicon Valley’s and Signature’s failures show the Fed cares a lot and will provide liquidity to protect the economy in many cases.

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The bank failures also provided some good economic lessons for investors and business owners. It’s important to know where and how your cash is invested.

We haven’t had to think about this in a few years as there were no bank failures in 2021 or 2022. Everyone was under the false assumption that there was nothing to be concerned about if your money was in a bank.

But the recent bank failures are a good reminder to make sure all your cash is insured, meaning a maximum of $250,000 per depositor, per FDICinsured bank, per ownership category.

Business owners should have money in several different banks in preparation of a worst-case scenario so that they make payroll in case of a bank failure.

The bank failures also opened people’s eyes to other cash continued on pg. 22

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BC�T June 21

2023 Economic Outlook . . . continued from pg. 21

management options. A great option a lot of people don’t know about is the ability to buy U.S. municipal bonds or single government treasuries.

They have the potential to provide high-quality yields while historically being less risky.

OTHER INDUSTRIES Most other industries are far more stable. Service sector growth is robust while manufacturing is turning the corner after a bit of a slump. Manufacturing had slowed with supply chain issues and higher materials and labor costs but has

now adjusted to the new costs and methods of operations.

To balance the higher costs, a lot of manufacturers are turning to automation and creating efficiencies, including shutting down some unprofitable factories.

While not great news for those workers, this economic cycle is healthy. They say good times make weak people—you almost need a level of austerity for business owners to drive efficiency to get lean and remain able to serve customers and communities.

Construction and real estate are seeing some slowdown, but affordable housing, warehouses, and other industrial construction remains quite strong.

Anything discretionary, like the vacation home market, is slow, but even the office market is recovering quickly in certain areas.

MARKET OUTLOOK We’re more bullish about the markets now compared to the beginning of the year. Last year, we predicted continued higher interest rates and the related fallout, which turned out to be the case—markets went down once people started worrying about higher interest rates.

Now that markets are forecasting cut or flat interest rates, uncertainty is off the board, assets have repriced themselves, and there are opportunities for companies to shine.

At CliftonLarsonAllen (CLA), we are focusing on high-quality investments: blue chip companies, dividendgrowing companies, and municipal bonds.

We believe now is the time to stay the course and participate with any excess cash. Holding onto cash may seem attractive in the near term, but having a long-term investment plan can help you avoid the constant decrease in purchasing power that is inflation.

Invest in a diversified basket of equities. Depending on your age and risk tolerance, you should consider an optimized mix of bonds, alternatives, and fixed income options.

POLICY OUTLOOK Domestic and foreign policy are significant factors investors should follow. There are continued concerns with the war between Russia and Ukraine, as well as new potential concerns with possible U.S.-China trade policy changes.

Construction and real estate are seeing some slowdown, but affordable housing, warehouses, and other industrial construction remains quite strong.

22 BC�T June

On the domestic front, the U.S. government will have to resolve its debt ceiling soon. Also, President

Biden has announced intentions to raise income taxes on high earners, especially multi-millionaires, and increase taxes on corporate stock buybacks.

The upcoming 2024 election makes it unlikely the United States will default on its debt. A presidential election year, not to mention a divided Congress, also makes it unlikely there will be major tax changes.

While political gridlock has pros and cons, it’s mostly good for the markets, as fewer tax and economic changes means more stability.

Whether you’re looking to grow assets, create sustainable income, or preserve wealth, CLA can help you customize a diversified portfolio to help you achieve your dreams.

With 2023’s continued varied outlook, you could benefit from our multi-faceted insights into the range of economic factors affecting your portfolio.

We’re ready to help you prepare now and into the future.

For more information, contact Christopher Dhanraj at christopher. dhanraj@CLAconnect.com.

The information contained herein is general in nature and is not intended, and should not be construed, as legal, accounting, investment, or tax advice or opinion provided by CliftonLarsonAllen LLP (CLA) to the reader.

For more information, visit https:// www.CLAconnect.com.

CLA exists to create opportunities for our clients, our people, and our communities through industry-focused wealth advisory, digital, audit, tax, consulting, and outsourcing services.

CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen LLP) is an independent network member of CLA Global. See https:// www.CLAglobal.com/disclaimer.

Investment advisory services are offered through CliftonLarsonAllen Wealth Advisors, LLC, an SECregistered investment advisor.

BC�T June 23

Potatoes USA News

Eagle River Seed Farm & Potatoes USA Donate Spuds

Eagle River Seed Farm and Potatoes USA have donated more than 600 pounds of potatoes to the Vilas Food Pantry in Eagle River, Wisconsin. The pantry has been serving Vilas County residents for more than 35 years.

Eagle River Seed Farm grows many varieties of seed potatoes for Potatoes USA and other customers.

Seed potatoes are not seeds but rather potatoes that are used for planting. Seed potatoes are grown conventionally and are perfect for eating.

“We had these wonderful, nutritious potatoes available that we wanted to put to good use,” says Clover Spacek, Eagle River Seed Farm general manager, who coordinated the bagging of the potatoes for local families.

“This is a busy time of year with potato planting, but the donation to the Vilas Food Pantry was an important priority for our team,” Spacek adds. “We’re so proud to be able to give back to our community.”

The potato is a nutrient-dense

More than 600 pounds of potatoes donated by Eagle River Seed Farm and Potatoes USA are unloaded at the Vilas Food Pantry in Eagle River.

24 BC�T June

Above: Clover Spacek, Eagle River Seed Farm general manager, poses with potatoes donated to the Vilas Food Pantry in Eagle River, Wisconsin.

vegetable. A medium (5.3 ounce) skin-on potato provides nearly one-third of the daily value (DV) of vitamin C, along with 15% DV of potassium and 10% DV of vitamin B6. It also contains 2 grams of fiber, 1.1 milligrams of iron, and 3 grams of plant-based protein.

“We appreciate the great partnership we have with Eagle River Seed Farm, and we’re glad these potatoes could help folks in need,” says John Lundeen, director of research for Potatoes USA. “We’re happy to support the Vilas Food Pantry in its mission to provide people quality food in a caring environment.”

About Eagle River Seed Farm Eagle Seed Farm is part of the Wysocki Family of Companies. It was originally founded

by Felix Zeloski, in 1935, and is currently comprised of 1,000 farmable rotational acres, including 300 acres of early generation foundation seed potatoes.

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Wisconsin Growers Attend CPMA Convention

WPVGA awarded Export Expansion Grants for exploring access to Canadian potato market

By Dana Rady, WPVGA Director of Promotions and Consumer Education The 2023 Canadian Produce Marketing Association (CPMA) Convention and Trade Show was the largest of its kind, April 25-27, in Toronto, Canada, with over 4,200 people attending the event.

Six-hundred-plus exhibitors representing over 300 companies filled 63,700 square feet of booth space on the trade show floor.

Among those representing 11 countries were representatives from the Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association (WPVGA) and several of its grower members.

The WPVGA Promotions Division had a booth at the 2023 CPMA, and association and grower members took turns greeting fellow trade show exhibitors and attendees, networking with Canadian produce buyers and learning the industry of our neighbors 26 BC�T June

to the north.

Taking advantage of Export Expansion Grant funds awarded by the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, the WPVGA Promotions Division partially funded the growers’ trips to Toronto.

Grower members representing Alsum Farms & Produce, Bushmans’ Inc., Okray Family Farms, and RPE, Inc. were in attendance, walking the show floor, working the trade show booth, and networking at the 2023 CPMA. The trade show floor was buzzing with energy and featured some incredible booths, while CPMA Learning Lounges sparked discussion around critical issues facing the produce industry today.

A WORLD OF PRODUCE “This turnout illustrates the important role our show plays

Above: The WPVGA Promotions Division set up a booth at the 2023 CPMA Convention and Trade Show, and association and grower members took turns greeting fellow trade show exhibitors and attendees, as well as networking with Canadian produce buyers. From left to right are Michael Gatz of Bushmans’ Inc., Rosholt, Wisconsin; WPVGA Director of Promotions & Consumer Education Dana Rady; David Wickline from Alsum Farms & Produce, Friesland; and Mark Finnessy of Okray Family Farms, Plover.

providing the industry with exceptional opportunities for education, networking, socializing, innovation and business development,” says CPMA President Ron Lemaire, “as members showcase produce from across the world.”

The Directors and New Members Reception allowed new CPMA members the opportunity to introduce themselves to longstanding

Hitting the 2023 CPMA trade show floor to network with Canadian produce buyers are, from left to right, Nate Knutson and Greg Zdroik of RPE, Inc., Bancroft, Wisconsin; Mark Finnessy from Okray Family Farms, Plover; and Drew Callaghan, RPE, Inc.

industry members.

The Chair’s Welcome Reception was the perfect opportunity to connect with other delegates at Steam Whistle Brewing, a historic John Street Roundhouse that once served as the Canadian Pacific Rail company’s steam locomotive repair facility.

Wednesday’s After Party featured a country music fest and was the place to be for networking.

entertainment at the Annual Banquet.

Each year, during the annual Convention and Trade Show, CPMA collects and then donates produce to a local food bank. In the same spirit of supporting their communities, CPMA 2023 exhibitors donated 49,473 pounds of leftover produce to Second Harvest and Toronto’s Daily Bread Food Bank.

The CPMA looks forward to welcoming everyone to next year’s To wrap up CPMA’s biggest show Convention and Trade Show, April ever, attendees were treated to 23-25, 2024, in Vancouver, British 06-23 Badger Common'Tater (7.25x2.25).v1.pdf 1 2023-05-01 10:51 AM some great food, wine, and amazing Columbia.

Above: A WPVGA Associate Division member, The Little Potato Company occupied a booth at the 2023 CPMA, in Toronto, and featured its latest packaging and spuds in the “Innovation Zone” new products showcase with the tagline “New Look. Same Great Little Potatoes.”

BC�T June 27

Now News Potatoes USA Announces New Chairman

Bushmans’ Inc. Co-Owner and CEO Mike Carter to lead through 2023-2024 Potatoes USA, the marketing and promotion board for the potato industry, elected new leadership during its Annual Meeting on March 15, 2023. Mike Carter of Rosholt, Wisconsin, was named chairman of the Board, leading the organization

and Executive Committee through 2023-’24.

Carter, a 25-year veteran in the potato industry and chief executive officer and co-owner of Bushmans’ Inc., has contributed his expertise to

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the Board for a decade.

Throughout his tenure, Carter has been a member of the Executive Committee for six years, taking on co-chair responsibilities for the International Marketing, Domestic Marketing, and Industry Outreach committees.

Expressing appreciation for being elected as chairman, Carter considers it to be a significant honor. While there’s a lot he looks forward to in the upcoming year, he is enthusiastic Above: The Potatoes USA 2023-’24 Executive Committee members include, back row (left to right): Trever Belnap of Hamen, Idaho; Jeff Jennings, Camden, North Carolina; Mike Larsen from Declo, Idaho; Les Alderete of Monte Vista, Colorado; and Dennis Wright, Kennewick, Washington; and in the front row (left to right): Jason Davenport of Bakersfield, California; Shelley Olsen, Othello, Washington; Mike Carter from Rosholt, Wisconsin; and Potatoes USA CEO Blair Richardson. Not pictured are Jennifer Gogan of Houlton, Maine; Leah Halverson, Grand Forks, North Dakota; and Ed Staunton from Tulelake, California.

In addition to Carter, the Potatoes USA 2023-’24 Executive Committee includes: • Les Alderete of Monte Vista, Colorado, co-chair of the Domestic Marketing Committee about developing a long-term strategy that will establish the direction and framework for the industry’s future amidst a rapidly changing global landscape.

• Trever Belnap from Hamen, Idaho, co-chair of the Research Committee

He also commends Potatoes USA’s proactive approach to defending potatoes’ reputation and is eager to engage in discussions with the international potato community.

• Leah Halverson of Grand Forks, North Dakota, co-chair of the Domestic Marketing Committee

ON A GLOBAL SCALE One such opportunity is an upcoming visit to Poland, where he will connect with fellow growers to promote the advantages of potatoes on a global scale.

Carter’s unique background, including his past role as executive director of the Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association (WPVGA), equips him with a broad perspective and understanding of the industry. As he assumes responsibilities, he aims to continue fostering collaboration and teamwork within the industry.

“I don't think there’s anything that we as an industry can’t accomplish when we work together. It will be critical that we maintain this philosophy,” Carter says when discussing the industry’s strength.

Apart from his contributions to Potatoes USA, Carter serves on the WPVGA Board of Directors and actively participates in his church community.

Outside of work, he has a passion for curling and has jokingly earned a reputation as a “potato curling ambassador,” as he often finds himself in conversations spreading awareness about this fascinating activity.

• Jennifer Gogan, Houlton, Maine, co-chair of the Research Committee

• Jeff Jennings from Camden, North Carolina, chair of the Finance & Policy Committee • Mike Larsen, Declo, Idaho, co-chair of the International Marketing Committee • Shelley Olsen of Othello, Washington, co-chair of the International Marketing Committee

• Ed Staunton, Tulelake, California, co-chair of the Industry Outreach Committee • Dennis Wright from Kennewick, Washington, co-chair of the Industry Outreach Committee • Jason Davenport of Bakersfield, California, past chair The Potatoes USA Board of Directors is the guiding force behind the organization’s efforts to promote and support the potato industry.

Tasked with setting strategic goals and objectives, the Board allocates resources to marketing, research, and education.

Additionally, the Board monitors the performance of these programs, adjusting as necessary to ensure their effectiveness and impact on the potato industry, including growers, processors, and other stakeholders. continued on pg. 30

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Now News. . .

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UW-Madison Aids in College Access for Rural Kids The Small Town and Rural Students College Network expands recruiting efforts The University of Wisconsin (UW)-Madison is joining 15 other prominent universities and colleges in a first-of-its-kind effort to help students from small towns and rural

communities enroll in college and earn undergraduate degrees.

The Small Town and Rural Students (STARS) College Network will build

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on existing recruiting efforts and create new pathways for students who might not otherwise recognize the full range of educational options available to them.

The effort is funded by a $20 million gift from philanthropist Byron Trott.

“This is a tremendous opportunity to redouble our efforts at recruiting talented students from rural communities and small towns while more broadly contributing to a national network that will open the doors of higher education to students from smaller communities,” UW–Madison Chancellor Jennifer L. Mnookin says.

“By working together, we can build on the best practices at each institution,” she adds, “and expand our reach and work to further reduce barriers to access.”

The effort advances many of UW– Madison’s core goals, Mnookin notes, including making sure that Wisconsin’s flagship public university is accessible and affordable to students and supporting a student body that brings together a diversity of backgrounds and perspectives.

EMPOWER STUDENTS The nationwide effort is designed to empower students to find the best institution for them, whether they ultimately enroll at one of the 16 institutions in the network or not.

In addition to UW–Madison, the network includes Ivy League universities such as Brown and Yale, state flagships like The Ohio State University and the University of Maryland, and leading private schools such as the University of Chicago and the California Institute of Technology.

Students who live outside metro

30 BC�T June

areas face unique obstacles to attending college, says Derek Kindle, UW–Madison vice provost for enrollment management.

“These students may not have easy access to college-going resources like financial aid workshops or college counselors,” Kindle says. “Our duty is to engage these students and partner with other supporters around the state and beyond. We are excited to join a network of top institutions committed to addressing and hopefully eliminating these barriers.”

At UW–Madison and elsewhere, the network’s funding is expected to support efforts including: • Pathway programs that bring students from rural communities and small towns to campus over summer break to help them gain exposure to campus life and academic resources; • Expanded visits by college

admissions teams to high schools in small towns and rural communities; • Support for students in the college application process, including workshops and sessions designed to help them throughout their college search; • Help navigating financial aid and scholarship opportunities; • Programs for counselors, teachers, and administrators from rural and small-town high schools to help them better support their students on the path to college; and • Partnerships with local and national businesses to provide internships and job opportunities for the next generation of students from small towns and rural communities Many recent initiatives at UW– Madison have been part of a concerted effort to ensure affordability and accessibility for

students from all corners of the state, including small towns and rural communities.

Those efforts include Bucky’s Tuition Promise, launched in 2018, and Bucky’s Pell Pathway, announced in February by Chancellor Mnookin.

Ultimately, STARS members say the new network and its efforts can help bridge the growing rural-urban divide in America by bringing students together to share the widest possible variety of experiences.

Additionally, research shows that college graduates from rural areas often return to their communities, so efforts to help rural students get the greatest benefit from higher education can create a cycle of support, success and giving back to the next generation.

More information on the STARS College Network can be found at https://starscollegenetwork.org/.

Okray Family Farms Acknowledges Employees

Staff of Plover, Wisconsin-based operation helps clean up nearby busy highway Okray Family Farms of Plover, Wisconsin, would like to acknowledge its hardworking employees for

cleaning up a portion of Highway 54 near the operation: “Thank you, everyone, for your hard work

to keep our roads clean!” continued on pg. 32

BC�T June 31

Now News. . .

continued from pg. 31

Compeer Financial Awards Farm Market Grants

Fund for Rural America contributes to 76 markets and 34 farmers in three states Compeer Financial’s Fund for Rural America, the farm credit cooperative’s giving program, has awarded Farmers’ Market Grants totaling $89,503. This is the fifth year

Compeer Financial has offered these grants.

The grants are supporting 77 farmers’ market organizations, with funding up to $1,000 each for marketing,

technology, or educational efforts.

Thirty-nine farmer vendors received grants of up to $500 each.

Since the program debuted in 2019, the grants have directly impacted 10,173 people and touched the lives of 9 million farmers’ market visitors.

Karen Schieler, senior corporate giving specialist at Compeer Financial, says they are seeing trends from grant recipients this year.

“Marketing continues to be the most needed resource for both vendors and markets,” Schieler explains. “Vendors are doing more to brand their businesses and build connections with farmers. Market organizations are continually relying on different media channels to reach a broader population of the community.”

INVESTING IN TECHNOLOGY Farmers’ markets are also investing in technology to expand payment options with SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits through EBT (Electronic Benefits Transfer) and credit card payments.

This year’s markets report that farmers make up 45% of total vendors. Having a balance of farmers and other vendors helps attract more customers to the market. The 2023 grant recipients say that farmers’ markets account for more than 50% of their annual sales on average.

“Farmers’ markets bring fresh, healthy foods directly to communities in an accessible way,” Schieler says. “Many markets have had to make changes through technology, marketing, and education in recent years. Through these grants, we hope to recognize the huge asset that farmers’ markets are

32 BC�T June

Uptown Farmers Market (Chicago) Wicker Park Farmers Market (Chicago)

to our communities.”

The 77 farmers’ markets in Compeer Financial’s territory receiving grants include: ILLINOIS 61st Street Farmers Market (Chicago) Avon’s Farmers Market Batavia Farmers’ Market Carthage Farmer’s Market Downtown Bloomington Farmers’ Market Downtown Elgin Farmers Market Downtown Evanston Farmers’ Market Downtown Pontiac Farmers Market Elmwood Farmers Market Farmers Market+ At The Dole (Crystal Lake) Galesburg Farmers Market

Glenwood Sunday Market (Chicago) Homewood Farmer Market Lanark Farmers Market Lisle French Market Macomb Farmers Market Main Street Farmers Market Downtown Aledo Mt. Sterling Farmer’s Market Quincy Town Center Farmer’s Market Ravinia Farmers Market (Highland Park) Riverside Farmers’ Market Rockford City Market Rockford Midtown Market Stephenson County Farmers Market (Freeport) Stronghurst Farmers Market The Dixon Farmer’s Market

MINNESOTA Aitkin Farmers Market Audubon Farmers Market (Minneapolis) Cambridge Farmers Market Cannon Falls Farmers Market at Artisan Plaza Cannon Valley Farmers’ Market (Northfield) Chicago City Farmers Market Cold Spring Farmers Market Cuyuna Range Farmers Market (Crosby) Eagan Market Fest Lake City Market by the Lake Lanesboro Farmers Market Lewiston Area Farmer’s Market Lincoln Park Farmers Market (Duluth) Mahtomedi Area Farmers’ Market Mankato Farmers Market continued on pg. 34

BC�T June 33

Now News. . .

continued from pg. 33

Neighborhood Roots (Kingfield Farmers Market, Minneapolis) Red Wing Area Farmers Market Association Rice Area Farmers Market Richfield Farmers Market Richmond Farmers Market Riverwalk Market Fair (Northfield) Saint Paul Farmers’ Market (Lakeville) St. Cloud Area Farmers Market The Village Farmers Market (Rochester) Wabasha Downtown Farmers Market WISCONSIN Beaver Dam Farmers Market Boscobel Farmers’ Market Burnett County Farmers Market (Siren) Columbus - Fall River - Rio Community Family Market Downtown Fond du Lac Farmers

Market (Whitehall) Farmers Garden Market Frederic Farmers Market Future Neenah Farmers Market Greendale Downtown Market Hudson Farmers Market @ Plaza 94 Independence Farmers Market Monday Market at the Y (Chippewa Falls) New Glarus Farmers Market Ontario Farmer’s Market Oshkosh Saturday Farmers Market, Inc. Osseo Farmers Market Paoli Mill Farmer’s Market (Belleville) Prairie du Chien Thursday Night Farmers Market Richland Area Farmers’ Market (Richland Center) Stoughton Community Farmers Market

TCC Farmers Market (Hartford) The Farmers Market at Town Square (Green Lake) Viroqua Farmers Market Westside Community Market (Madison) The grants will be offered again next year. Starting in 2024, market organizations will be eligible for the grant every other year. Farmer vendors who are clients of Compeer Financial will continue to be eligible every year, with priority given to those who have not previously received the grant.

Learn more at https://compeer.com/ investing-in-rural-communities/ giving-back.

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34 BC�T June

WPVGA Associate Division 23rd Annual Golf Outing & Barbeque

WPVGA Associate Division

Bullseye Golf Club

Wisconsin Rapids, Wednesday, July 12, 2023 We will golf rain or shine!

REGISTRATION DEADLINE: July 3, 2023

The WPVGA Associate Division will host the 23rd Annual Golf Outing at Bullseye Golf Club in Wisconsin Rapids. The golf outing is followed by a splendid dinner barbeque and raffle prize drawings.

The golf format is a four-person scramble with a shotgun start limited to the first 42 foursomes and sign up is on a first-come basis, so sign up soon! Don’t miss out! Registration will start at 9:00 a.m. and the scramble will begin with a shotgun start at 10:00 a.m. Cost is $80/person which includes 18 holes of golf with cart. Proper golf etiquette is expected.

Lunch is available for all golfers that day courtesy of an associate sponsor. The dinner barbeque is held immediately following golf and is open to everyone in the industry whether you choose to golf or not.

Tickets are required. ‘Barbeque only’ ticket price is $30/person.

Make checks payable to WPVGA. Please contact Julie Braun, 715-623-7683, if you have any questions.

GRAB ATTENTION!

SIGN UP TO BE A SPONSOR

For more details call Julie Braun at 715-623-7683 or email

jbraun@wisconsinpotatoes.com

REGISTRATION DEADLINE:

July 3, 2023

❑ ❑ Yes! I will golf. I am registering ______ golfers.

Group Leader Name: _____________________________

❑ I wish to order _______ Barbeque Tickets at $30.00 per ticket.

Address: ________________________________________

❑ I would like to sponsor a hole at the golf outing.

My donation of $_________ is enclosed.

Phone: __________________________________________

(Fee for golf only is $80 per person. This does not include barbeque.)

Company Name: _________________________________ City, State, Zip: __________________________________ These are the people in my group: 1. ______________________________________________

Golf Fee: Number of Golfers x $80

$_________

Barbeque Tickets: Number of Tickets x $30

$_________

+ Hole Sponsor/Donation

$_________

Total Amount Enclosed:

2. ______________________________________________

$_________

Please return completed form and payment to: WPVGA • P.O. Box 327 • Antigo, WI 54409-0327

3. ______________________________________________

No Link Between Eating Potatoes and Cardiometabolic Disease Findings show overall diet and lifestyle mediate health outcomes associated with potato consumption By the Alliance for Potato Research and Education (APRE) Although potatoes are a nutrient-rich vegetable, they are often singled out as a food to limit.

In fact, despite the Dietary Guidelines for Americans’ recommendation to increase fruit and vegetable consumption, some health experts still recommend limiting or avoiding eating potatoes due to concerns that they may increase cardiometabolic risk.

However, a newly published study in the Journal of Nutritional Science finds that advice may be unwarranted.

Researchers at Boston University examined the influence of potatoes as part of overall diet and lifestyle patterns on cardiometabolic disease risk.

They found no change in

Researchers at Boston University found no change in cardiometabolic risk factors associated with intake of either fried or non-fried potatoes in adults during a recent study.

cardiometabolic risk factors associated with intake of either fried or non-fried potatoes in adults from the long-running Framingham Offspring cohort.

“In this study, we looked at the effects of higher intakes of potatoes on blood pressure, lipids, and glucose and found that, after accounting for other dietary and lifestyle factors, there was no increased risk of cardiometabolic disorders associated with potato consumption,” says lead study investigator Lynn L. Moore, DSc, MPH. Moore is an associate professor of medicine at the Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine.

MORE FRUITS & VEGGIES “In fact, we found that those in the highest potato intake category consumed 25% more total fruits and vegetables than those in the lower potato intake group,” Moore explains.

“As a result, these participants who consumed more potatoes were more likely to meet the recommendations of the Dietary Guidelines,” she stresses.

The findings from Moore’s research

36 BC�T June

group observed no association between consuming four or more cup-equivalents of potatoes per week (both white and sweet, fried and nonfried) and type 2 diabetes (T2DM), impaired fasting glucose (IFG), hypertension, and dyslipidemia in a large population of healthy Caucasian adults.

“We know that potatoes are rich in potassium, magnesium, and dietary fiber, all of which may be protective against heart attacks and strokes that are a consequence of elevated levels of cardiometabolic risk,” Moore states.

“In fact, potatoes are one of the most important sources of potassium in the American diet,” she says.

Meanwhile, the effects of fried potato consumption appeared to be modified by other diet and lifestyle factors. For example, those with higher intakes of fried potatoes and lower consumption of red meat had a 26% lower risk of elevated

triglycerides.

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY Additionally, more physically active adults who consumed higher levels of fried potatoes had a 25% lower risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.

“These findings underscore the importance of overall diet and lifestyle when it comes to cardiometabolic disease risk,” Moore remarks. “Public health messaging singling out potatoes, and even fried potatoes, is not supported by this evidence.”

The study results indicate that potatoes, both fried and non-fried, and sweet and white potato varieties, can be included as part of a healthy diet without impacting risk factors for cardiometabolic disease.

Further, potatoes contribute to total fruit and vegetable intake, thus enabling consumers to closely align with the Dietary Guidelines recommendations.

Lead study investigator Lynn L. Moore, DSc, MPH, is an associate professor of medicine at the Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine.

As Moore explained, “Previously published evidence on potato consumption has been conflicting.”

“For example,” she notes, “some find higher potato intakes to be positively associated with elevated blood pressure while others find the continued on pg. 38

BC�T June 37

No Link Between Eating Potatoes and Cardiometabolic Disease. . . continued from pg. 37

“We know that potatoes are rich in potassium, magnesium, and dietary fiber, all of which may be protective against heart attacks and strokes that are a consequence of elevated levels of cardiometabolic risk,” lead study investigator, Lynn L. Moore, DSc, MPH, states.

opposite. In observational studies, it is important to try to separate out a food like potatoes from other dietary components.”

DIET & LIFESTYLE “If the individuals consuming more potatoes, for example, also consume more refined grains or have other unhealthy lifestyle habits, then the adverse effect of potatoes may actually be a result of other things associated with diet and lifestyle,” Moore notes.

One strength of the current study is that diet was assessed with detailed dietary records, thus allowing the investigators to determine cooking methods.

In addition, dietary records provide a more accurate assessment of the intake of most foods and nutrients than the food frequency questionnaires that have been used in many other studies.

The results of this study support the need for future randomized controlled trials to investigate the effects of potatoes as part of a healthy diet (including potatoes cooked in different ways) on cardiometabolic disease risk.

In the interim, these data add to the evidence supporting a role for potatoes as part of a healthy lifestyle.

38 BC�T June

“These findings underscore the importance of overall diet and lifestyle when it comes to cardiometabolic disease risk. Public health messaging singling out potatoes, and even fried potatoes, is not supported by this evidence.”

– Lynn L. Moore, DSc, MPH, lead study investigator

Data from 2,523 offspring, 30 years of age and older, of the Framingham Heart Study were included in this prospective cohort study that began in 1971.

In addition to the large sample size, the use of a prospective study design allowed for the assessment of large amounts of data from subjects in a free-living environment.

• Approximately 16,000 collective days of dietary records were collected from roughly 70% of participants during exams 3 (1983-’87) and 5 (1991-’95).

For example, potato consumption was averaged over 8 years before the beginning of a 16-year followup. Furthermore, dietary intake was analyzed from an average of 6 days of dietary records, thus providing a more stable intake assessment.

• The consumption of potatoes (both white and sweet potatoes) was derived from total vegetable servings.

For these analyses, each participant’s usual potato intake was estimated as the mean from all days of diet records and grouped as follows: total potato intake (<1, 1-<2, 2-<4, and ≥4 cup-equivalents/week), and fried or non-fried (<1, 1-<2, and ≥2 cupequivalents/week).

• Health outcome data were provided from regular examination visits.

• Researchers assessed the impact of both total potato consumption as well as fried versus non-fried potato consumption on hypertension, T2DM/IFG, and dyslipidemia risk.

• Researchers further assessed whether other diet and lifestyle factors modified the effects of fried and non-fried potato intakes on cardiometabolic risk.

Further studies will need to assess more diverse populations, as this current sample of Caucasian adults is not broadly generalizable.

Future studies will also benefit from consideration of cooking methods and by studying the specific effects of potatoes when consumed as part of a healthy diet.

This research was supported by the Alliance for Potato Research and Education (APRE). APRE had no influence on the study design, conduct, execution, or data analysis after approving the initial proposal for funding.

The article “Potato Consumption is not Associated with Cardiometabolic Health Outcomes in Framingham Offspring Study Adults” is published in the Journal of Nutritional Science (doi: 10.1017/jns.2022.65).

New Products

The Little Potato Company Unveils Brand Refresh

Leading Creamer potato brand launches new visual identity, website, campaign, and packaging The Little Potato Company, the number one Creamer potato company in North America, unveiled a new brand look and feel, reflecting its commitment to providing busy families with quick and easy meal solutions so they have more time for what matters most.

The lively visual identity features modern, vibrant, fresh colors and a new logo. The rebrand also includes new family-friendly packaging with updated product names and brand characters, a refreshed website and social channels, and a newly launched digital ad campaign.

“We did extensive research to deeply understand our consumers, and what they care about is feeding their families with healthy, easy meals and finding moments of connection and joy together,” says Angela Santiago, chief executive officer (CEO) and cofounder of The Little Potato Company.

“We refreshed the brand with a new promise to bring little moments of happiness to busy families,” Santiago adds. “We bring that to life in every element of our relaunch, from the colorful logo to our characters and heartwarming ad campaign.”

The new packaging is designed to stand out on a shelf with a clear window to spotlight the fresh, whole food within.

It further brings the brand’s

positioning to life by highlighting key differentiators, like the easy prep time with no need to wash or peel the potatoes, short cooking time, in as little as five minutes, and cooking methods, like air frying, to make preparation even easier.

FAMILY MESSAGE Additionally, it includes a message from the brand’s father-and-daughter founders and sustainability messaging about the family farms.

The refresh includes simplified product names with the adjective “Little” to reinforce the branding and highlight the size of potatoes, along with the color/varietal or flavor.

New brand characters are also featured on pack: the Spuddies are yellow, red, and purple Little Potatoes who share messages like “Enjoy the little things,” “Fresh from our family farms,” and “A little win for a busy night at home.”

The brand refresh is supported by a digital ad campaign running across North America featuring heartwarming videos of the Spuddies sharing dinnertime wisdom.

The new packaging is rolled out on shelves now, and the refreshed website and social channels are live.

“Families today are incredibly busy, but we know that sharing a homecooked meal provides invaluable family time and conversation,”

Santiago says. “As a family-owned company, we’re passionate about making it easier for families to enjoy a little moment of happiness together by making dinner easier through our convenient and delicious Little Potato products.”

About The Little Potato Company The Little Potato Company passionately focuses only on Little Potatoes. For more than 25 years, the entrepreneurial company has been the leader in the breeding, growing, and marketing of proprietary Little Potatoes.

A delicious, fresh whole food grown on family farms, the company’s proprietary colorful Little Potatoes are available in produce sections across the United States and Canada.

These popular Little Potatoes are sold prewashed with no peeling required and can be cooked in just 5 minutes.

Co-founded by CEO Angela Santiago, the family-owned company is dedicated to product innovation and bringing excitement to the potato category and little moments of happiness to busy families.

For recipe ideas and inspiration, visit https:// www.littlepotatoes.com or Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest @ LittlePotatoCo. continued on pg. 40 BC�T June 39

New Products. . .

continued from pg. 39

John Deere and Nutrien Ag Solutions Collaborate

Companies release advanced digital connectivity that enables them to better serve growers Nutrien Ag Solutions Inc., a subsidiary of Nutrien Ltd., and John Deere jointly announce the release of advanced digital connectivity between the John Deere Operations Center™ and Nutrien Ag Solutions’ Digital Hub. This connectivity enables both companies to better serve growers by optimizing logistics and enabling variable rate agronomic recommendations to be seamlessly transferred to their equipment for execution.

In addition, the two companies announced a multi-year commitment to deepen the integration and jointly develop streamlined solutions so that growers can more easily benefit from precision ag technology.

This combination of optimized logistics and enablement of variable rate technology allows growers to realize improved agronomic outcomes.

Growers control the access level to the data in their John Deere Operations Center account and can share access with Nutrien Ag Solutions’ Digital Hub where Nutrien crop consultants create customized recommendations.

Integration with Operations Center PRO’s logistics tools improves equipment dispatch efficiency and wireless work order transmission to the cab. This results in the right products, rate, place, and time on grower fields.

GROWER FOCUSED “Nutrien Ag Solutions is committed to being the most grower-focused agronomic solutions provider, and this collaboration enhances that service by further transforming the way we support and digitally 40 BC�T June

engage with our growers,” says David Elser, senior vice president of North America for Nutrien Ag Solutions.

“The expertise John Deere brings in equipment, connectivity, and fleet management solutions allows our crop consultants to have improved access to data, and to provide better services to our growers via the Nutrien Ag Solutions Digital Hub,” Elser adds.

Deanna Kovar, John Deere’s vice president of production systems, adds, “The John Deere Operations Center is the leading digital ag platform for growers globally with over 200 connected software companies that provide seamless connections to trusted advisors.”

“We recently launched our professional tier of Operations Center to provide ag service providers with dispatching and logistics solutions for their complete fleets,” Kovar says, “regardless of equipment manufacturer.”

“We are pleased to have Nutrien Ag Solutions adopt Operations Center PRO for their operations management solution in North

America,” Kovar concludes, “and look forward to working closely with them to jointly create an even better integrated experience in the future that will benefit growers.”

John Deere’s Operations Center PRO Dispatch is a complete dispatching and work order management solution that is integrated with most leading retailer back-office systems.

It allows fleet managers to view equipment and tender location and status in real time, analyze machine productivity, and provide data management services to growers.

To learn more, visit https://www. johndeere.com/OperationsCenterPRO or a local John Deere dealer.

Nutrien Ag Solutions’ Digital Hub allows growers to digitally collaborate with their Nutrien crop consultants, view agronomic plans, as well as make easier purchases and payments for crop inputs online.

To learn more or find a local Nutrien Ag Solutions representative near you, visit https://nutrienagsolutions. com.

Badger Beat Can Intercropping Improve Groundwater Quality?

Researchers investigate planting strips of mustard or winter rye in potato crops to reduce nitrate leaching

By Emma Schmidt, graduate research assistant, and Jed Colquhoun, professor and extension specialist, University of Wisconsin (UW)-Madison Department of Horticulture

Wisconsin farmers, unlike growers in many other states, are lucky to live in an exceptionally water-rich area. Both groundwater and surface water resources are abundant and accessible to growers.

While water quantity doesn’t typically limit agricultural production, water quality has become a focus in Wisconsin. Over the past few decades, well-water surveys have shown rising rates of agricultural pollutant contamination in groundwater, specifically from pesticides and nitrogen fertilizer.

In a recent Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection well sampling survey, over one-third of wells sampled statewide contained a detectable level of pesticide contamination1.

Around 42% of wells contained nitrates, and 10% of wells exceeded the Environmental Protection Agency threshold for nitration contamination1.

Groundwater pollution is especially problematic because most rural Wisconsinites use groundwater as their primary source of drinking water, and few economical and practical remediation options are available for households with contaminated wells.

As uneasiness surrounding groundwater pollution rises, growers and researchers are tasked with finding effective and realistic solutions. Precision agriculture, slow-release fertilizers, and genetic manipulation are all options being explored.

In the UW-Madison Department of Horticulture Colquhoun lab, intercropping mustard or winter rye in potato crops is one of the approaches we are investigating.

Intercropping involves planting strips of cover crop vegetation, like mustards, within potato fields and growing both potatoes and the cover crop strips simultaneously.

CAPTURE NITROGEN & PESTICIDES The idea is that the nutrient scavenging cover crops will root below the potatoes, helping capture continued on pg. 42

Jed Colquhoun, professor and extension specialist, UW-Madison Department of Horticulture, discusses muck vegetable weed management at the 2022 Grower Education Conference & Industry Show in Stevens Point, Wisconsin.

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BC�T June 41

Badger Beat. . .

continued from pg. 41

nitrogen and pesticides that have leached beyond the potato root zone.

The overall project goal is to measure nitrate and pesticide capture in this system and explore the effects of intercropping on potato yield and marketability.

The first step in setting up an intercropping system is to determine what cover crop species should be grown.

The light, water, and nutrient requirements of both crops should be considered since intercropped species that are not well-suited can result in reduced potato yield and quality. Companion crops must also be good nitrogen scavengers.

Figure 1: Winter rye and yellow mustard cover-crop strips grow among potato rows in research conducted at the Hancock Agricultural Research Station, in 2022.

Winter rye, for example, can reduce nitrogen losses by 96% when planted during fallow periods2. Brassicas have

also shown promising benefits for nitrogen capture, can root up to 6 feet deep, and are as effective as rye,

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42 BC�T June

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barley, or wheat for fall fallow-period nitrogen capture3.

Native grasses could provide similar benefits as rye with minimal management requirements after establishment.

Though interactions between these companion crops and potatoes still need to be investigated further, winter rye and yellow mustard appear to be promising potential candidates for an intercropping system.

Finally, finding a companion crop that can be integrated throughout long-term crop rotations would allow intercropping to be a more feasible option for growers.

COMPANION CROPS Ideally, companion crops would

E Q U I P M E N T

I N C

also benefit rotational crops such as soybean, garden beet, snap bean, field and sweet corn, and carrot.

In previous research, beets intercropped with mustards and grasses were vulnerable to competition late in the season4.

Similarly, carrot, snap bean and onion were sensitive to competition and yield was reduced if companion crops grew too dense or tall5.

Conversely, field corn is a more competitive crop that has successfully been intercropped with numerous species, including legumes and grasses, with little or no negative effect on grain yield.

In short, previous research demonstrates that it’s challenging to inter-seed cover crops to capture nutrients and pesticides without

Y O U R

P A R T N E R S

reducing yield or quality of a poorly competitive main crop.

Luckily, potatoes tend to be competitive with inter-seeded cover crops due to their early establishment, rapid growth, and dense canopy structure.

Previous studies examining intercropping as an insect or weed management tool have shown that potatoes can be grown alongside mustards, grasses, or legumes. Few of these studies measured the effect on potato yield, but those that did reported that potato yield was unaffected.

In response, our current work in this area is focused on practical and readily adoptable ways to include fall-, spring- and midseason-planted continued on pg. 44

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BC�T June 43

Badger Beat. . .

continued from pg. 43

cover crops in potato production.

More specifically, the overall project goals are to: • Be grounded in practical agronomics that are economically feasible.

• Ensure that the potatoes are harvestable without constraints using existing equipment.

some of the available nitrogen to leaching as previous plant material decomposes. Additionally, each of the intercropped treatments will be evaluated with nitrogen fertilizer banded only next to the crop row, reducing fertilizer inputs by 66% compared to the conventional broadcast fertilizer.

• Provide as close to continuously living ground cover throughout the year as possible.

• Support weed management by allowing the companion crops to compete with and suppress weed populations. This will reduce input needs and increase crop outputs, if the companion crop is a good fit to the main potato or vegetable crop.

• Reduce fertilizer needs by capturing nitrogen in the crop root zone. This effectively creates a continuous cycle of nutrient crediting from previous crops instead of losing

Our current potato inter-seeding work is focused on two areas. The first project, initiated in fall 2021, explores the combination of no-till potato production with intercropping.

• Maintain optimal tuber yield and quality that the market demands.

GROWING WITH

The planting configuration includes an 18-inch-wide cover crop strip for every two potato rows (figure 1). This project is testing yellow mustard, and fall-seeded and spring-seeded winter rye as companion crops.

These inter-seeded crops are known to be prolific nutrient scavengers and will establish roots well below the potato root zone.

Fall-seeded winter rye offers the advantage of providing nearly year-round cover, thus addressing processor and buyer regenerative agriculture perennial ground cover goals, but exposure to cold winter temperatures does promote seed production in the middle of the potato season. Spring seeding winter rye prevents seed production.

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44 BC�T June

Yellow mustard was chosen not only because it’s a good nutrient scavenger, but also given that it may provide additional benefits to potato production, such as suppression of nematodes and soilborne diseases.

In fall 2022, these inter-seeding strip trials were harvested and analyzed.

The potatoes in intercropped plots showed no reduction in yield, quality, or tuber size distribution regardless of cover crop species or seeding timing (fall or spring) when compared to plots where the strips were left bare throughout the potato season.

A repeat of this study is currently underway and will be harvested in fall 2023.

OPTIMIZE NUTRIENT USE For our second project, we’re initiating preliminary background studies this season to look at effective ways to optimize nutrient use while inter-seeding cover crops in the furrow between each potato row.

In this work, we’re comparing conventional broadcast fertilizer application to fertilizer banded only

over the potato row.

Banding fertilizer over the potato row would reduce its use by two-thirds, reduce leaching loss from the furrow bottom where potato roots are scarce, and promote deep companion crop root exploration to capture nutrients below the potato root zone.

Here, we’re looking at ways to walk the fine line between growing cover crops that are either sensitive to potato herbicides or become weedy themselves (in competition with the potatoes).

We will be looking at both winter rye and yellow mustard inter-seeded at several potato growth stages, ranging from at hilling to canopy closure.

Our focus here again is agronomics— is it possible to inter-seed companion crops in potato while maintaining harvestability, yield and tuber quality?

Addressing groundwater quality is a high priority statewide and the future of rural, agrarian Wisconsin relies on finding ways that agricultural

production and clean water can coexist.

With our research, we hope to continue exploring novel and realistic solutions to find sustainable vegetable production systems for growers and residents alike.

Sources 1. Luczaj, J. & Masarik, K. (2015) Groundwater Quantity and Quality Issues in a WaterRich Region: Examples from Wisconsin, USA. Resources, 4(2), 323-357. https://doi. org/10.3390/resources4020323 2. Brennan, E. B. (2017) Can We Grow Organic or Conventional Vegetables Sustainably Without Cover Crops? Hort Technology, 27(2), 151-161. doi: 10.21273/ HORTTECH03358-16 3. Haramoto, E. R. & Gallandt, E. R. (2004) Brassica Cover Cropping for Weed Management: A Review. Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems, 19(4), 187198. DOI: 10.1079/RAFS200490 4. Sigdel et al (2021) Interseeding Cover Crops in Sugar Beets. Field Crops Research, 262(2021). https://doi.org/10.1016/j. fcr.2021.108079 5. Zandstra, B. H. & Warncke, D. D. (1993) Interplanted Barley and Rye in Carrots and Onions. HortTechnology, 3(2), 214-218.

WPIB Focus Wisconsin Potato Assessment Collections: Two-Year Comparison Month

Jul-21

Aug-21

Sep-21

Oct-21

Nov-21

Dec-21

Jan-22

Feb-22

Mar-22

Apr-22

May-22

CWT

1,292,191.75

981,540.84

933,052.68

3,515,638.42

2,529,632.08

2,033,264.21

1,948,049.95

1,869,405.13

1,867,240.42

2,256,490.25

19,226,505.73

Assessment

$103,342.07

$78,594.28

$74,682.23

$281,175.63

$200,944.23

$162,677.29

$157,293.40

$149,552.31

$149,347.94

$180,586.95

$1,538,196.33

Month

Jul-22

Aug-22

Sep-22

Oct-22

Nov-22

Dec-22

Jan-23

Feb-23

Mar-23

Apr-23

CWT

1,672,188.74

1,652,461.65

1,253,802.65

2,220,884.60

2,839,864.67

2,284,689.72

1,511,913.78

2,557,962.6

2,149,511.42

2,199,779.23

20,343,059.06

Assessment

$133,812.37

$132,196.85

$100,304.10

$177,635.82

$227,110.48

$182,814.53

$120,953.10

$204,565.04

$171,879.92

$176,059.39

$1,627,331.70

May-23

Jun-22

Jun-23

Year-to-Date

Year-to-Date

BC�T June 45

People FFTFF Names New Executive Director

Andy Reitz has 30 years of experience working in the agricultural industry Andy Reitz began his new position on Monday, April 17, as the Executive Director of the Food + Farm Exploration Center in Plover, Wisconsin, and the Farming for the Future Foundation (FFTFF).

with the staff, aligning with the Board of Directors, and meeting the donors and other industry leaders who made this vision a reality,” he notes.

Reitz, who joins the staff with 30 years of experience working in the agricultural industry, has spent the past 12 years in cranberries with Mariani Packing Company.

“After a rewarding career in the cranberry industry, I’m looking forward to this new challenge and redirecting my passion of agriculture to carry out the mission of the Food + Farm Exploration Center,” Reitz says.

“I am eager to get started working

GROWING BEYOND

In his spare time, Reitz enjoys hiking, gardening, hunting, and fishing with his wife, Julie. The pair recently celebrated 25 years of marriage.

Though they do not have children, they have many nieces, nephews, and godchildren who they enjoy spending time with. Both are Wisconsin natives.

INTERESTS & CHALLENGES Additionally, he and his wife enjoy traveling, volunteering at their church, and trying new restaurants or coffee shops. They also have an

orange cat named Reba.

Reitz likes challenging himself and has completed 14 Tough Mudder competitions.

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He is looking forward to diving into the work that has already been done to open the Food + Farm Exploration Center in a few short months.

director. A sincere thanks to Kathleen O’Leary, who had been serving as the interim executive director since January.

As Reitz transitions into his new role, he will have the unwavering support of the Board and interim executive

O’Leary provided steady leadership and guidance to the team and advanced campaign fundraising.

She remained involved with the team during the transition and will continue to assist executive leadership in the recruitment of new staff, as well as with strategy and other leadership functions as needed.

UW Welcomes Assistant Professor of Plant Pathology Dr. Emile Gluck Thaler plans to address research of agriculturally relevant crops The University of Wisconsin-Madison and Dr. Amanda Gevens, chair, professor and extension specialist, Department of Plant Pathology, welcome Dr. Emile Gluck Thaler as the newest assistant professor of plant pathology, beginning September 1, 2023.

Emile is currently a post-doctoral Marie Sklodowski-Curie Fellow in the Laboratory of Evolutionary Genetics at the University of Neuchatel, in Switzerland.

Previously, he was a postdoc at Penn State University; a Ph.D. student at The Ohio State University; and a graduate of McGill University. Emile hails from Canada and is married to Julia Reeves, who is in the career path of maternal and infant medical equity.

and plant systems.

Furthermore, he is highly interested in instruction and outreach, and has a notably positive and civic-minded outlook.

Emile and Amanda have discussed the Wisconsin Seed Potato Certification Program and the strong engagement between the Department of Plant Pathology and the Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association.

He is highly interested in ongoing research needs and is open to considering work with potato and vegetable pathogenic fungi and bacteria.

In these pathogen categories, there is plenty of work to do in improving the

Emile will address plant pathology research of agriculturally relevant crops with his expertise in mycology, evolutionary biology, and genome science.

GENOME VARIATION He integrates molecular, manipulative, and computational experiments to investigate the causes and consequences of structural variation in genomes.

He is particularly interested in understanding the role of structural variation in facilitating and constraining species interactions.

Emile works with taxonomically diverse fungi, mostly plant pathogens and endophytes, and has forged ongoing collaborations in bacterial

understanding and management of diseases such as common scab, soft rot/black leg, silver scurf, and early blight.

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BC�T June 47

Struvite is a Good Phosphorus Source for Crops

alfalfa-grass forage mixture.

“Struvite is a naturally occurring mineral that can be extracted from nutrient-rich wastes, such as municipal wastewater or manure,” Thiessen Martens says. “It is rich in phosphorus and seems to be a relatively good phosphorous fertilizer.”

Retrieving struvite from wastewater She adds that recovering the fertilizer wastewater also reduces the reduces the amount of phosphorus from amount of phosphorus entering the environment. Excess phosphorus can entering the environment be harmful to the environment.

By the Alliance of Crop, Soil, and Environmental Science Societies

Studying new fertilizer options is the first step in getting farmers to eventually use them on their crops. A mineral called struvite has the potential to be an effective phosphorous fertilizer that may be

considered organic.

Joanne Thiessen Martens, researcher from the University of Manitoba in Canada, along with collaborators, studied how struvite impacted three crops—spring wheat, flax, and an

The research was recently published in the Agronomy Journal, a publication of the American Society of Agronomy.

In their study, researchers applied struvite to the three cropping systems at different rates. They then looked at yields and measured how much phosphorus the crops contained after harvest.

Their goal was to find the best application rate of struvite that provided a good amount of phosphorus to the crops.

YIELD INCREASE “The main thing we were looking for was an increase in the grain yield or the forage biomass yield when crops were fertilized with struvite,” Thiessen Martens says. “A key part of our study was to see how the struvite application rate affected these different indicators of a good phosphorus supply.”

Joanne Thiessen Martens harvests wheat as part of the struvite field study in 2018. Struvite is a naturally occurring mineral that can be extracted from nutrient-rich wastes, such as municipal wastewater or manure. It is rich in phosphorus and can be used as a phosphorous fertilizer. Photo courtesy of Martin Entz 48 BC�T June

Results showed that struvite increased the grain yield of spring wheat, but not flax. The alfalfa-grass forage responded very well to the fertilizer. The researchers also noted that the benefit to the alfalfa grass

increased in the second and third years of the study.

Thus, the struvite applied in 2017 provided an even greater benefit in 2018 and 2019 than it did in 2017, the year it was applied.

Although they don’t know for certain why the crops responded differently, they have some ideas. It may be because each crop gets nutrients from the soil in different ways.

Flax, for example, gets help from fungi in the soil to get phosphorus.

This may be why is doesn’t respond well to struvite.

Crops like alfalfa produce acids that help dissolve phosphorus in the soil and that may have been why it responded well to the fertilizer. The scientists want to perform more research to further learn about the differences between crops and the reasons for these differences.

They found that high rates of application created the best results.

They also saw that a lot of the struvite was not recovered by the crop.

STRUVITE IN THE SOIL This means it was not taken up by the plants and was left in the soil.

The scientists want to further study what happens to the unused struvite in the soil.

Above: This field of alfalfa-grass forage, in 2018, shows the effect of struvite applied the year before. A high rate was applied to the left portion and none on the right. Crops like alfalfa produce acids that help dissolve phosphorus in the soil, which then responds well to the fertilizer. Photo courtesy of Joanne Thiessen Martens

In examining the different rates of fertilizer applied, the researchers discovered that they did not reach an amount that maxed out the crops’ response.

would need to have application rates where crop yield or phosphorus accumulation levels off.

To establish that maximum crop response to a certain fertilizer, they

N V S

continued on pg. 50

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AGRI-VENTILATION SALES AND SERVICE 24 HR. EMERG. SERVICE BC�T June 49

Struvite is a Good Phosphorus Source for Crops. . . continued from pg. 49

“Struvite is a naturally occurring mineral that can be extracted from nutrient-rich wastes, such as municipal wastewater or manure.”

– Joanne Thiessen Martens, researcher, University of Manitoba

“Based on our results, we can say that the recommended phosphorus application rates, which correspond to our lowest application rates, were not adequate at this site,” Thiessen Martens explains.

These remnants of struvite granules were found in the soil in spring 2019, about one year after application in the wheat experiment. Leftover remnants indicate the struvite granules were only partially dissolved in soil and absorbed by the plants. Photo courtesy of Joanne Thiessen Martens

VALLEY ICON

it’s also important to do more research on how to use these recycled fertilizers.

“But we don’t know enough from this study to say whether fertilizer recommendations in general need to be revisited,” she adds.

“These recycled fertilizers do not behave the same in the soil as soluble fertilizers do,” Thiessen Martens says. “It’s one of the practical aspects that needs to be worked out so we can apply the idealistic notion of the circular economy more broadly.”

Much of the research on the circular economy for nutrients has been focused on how to recover fertilizers like struvite from waste. However,

This research was funded by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and Ostara Nutrient Recovery Technologies.

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• 800-755-0268 Address Phone Number | Website Plainfield, WI:| 715-335-6368 Beloit, WI: 608-362-0706 800-924-0321 suggested •font: Arial www.valleynci.com

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4 COLUMN 50 BC�T June x 5” 7.708” x 5”

Eyes on Associates

By WPVGA Associate Div. President Matt Selenske, Allied Coop’s Pest Pros Division

June. I love this time of year. We have worked hard to implement

the comprehensive farm plan that we made over the winter. The crop has emerged and what was bare soil is green and growing before our eyes.

Now we continue the plan to care for the crop but need to adjust to Mother Nature and all the curveballs she can throw at us. Being able to adjust to ever-changing conditions can make the difference between success and failure.

Coincidently, that is exactly the way I feel about golf, the game of constant adjustment. Usually, adjustments need to be made because of selfinflicted mistakes, but many of us love golf regardless.

I’d like to put another plug in for the 2023 Putt-Tato Open on July 12 at the Bullseye Golf Club in Wisconsin Rapids. Come join us for a day of camaraderie and fun playing the game many of us love. There will be raffle prizes, good food, and, of course, adult beverages!

Associate Division members, please consider sponsoring a hole, lunch, or even beverages at a hole. There are many options available, and it is a great way to let customers know that you are committed to the industry.

REGISTER & SPONSOR! Registration and sponsorship details are available on the Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association (WPVGA) website, www.wisconsinpotatoes.com, in the Tater Talk E-newsletter or by contacting Julie Braun at jbraun@wisconsinpotatoes.com or 715-610-7488.

on July 13, the University of Wisconsin Hancock Agricultural Research Station will be holding its annual Field Day. As always, there will be plot tours all afternoon conducted by one of the premier potato and vegetable research teams in the country.

With this year being the 75th anniversary of the WPVGA, past

presidents of the association and members of the Wisconsin potato Hall of Fame are making special appearances. To top it all off, Swine and Dine will serve up a delicious meal, and, of course, there will be more beverages.

Take some time to attend one or both events. Taking a break and having a little fun make all our hard work worthwhile.

Matt Selenske

WPVGA Associate Division President

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The day after the golf outing, BC�T June 51

NPC News State Managers Take Potato Priorities to Capitol Hill Group advocates for the $100.9 billion U.S. potato industry’s policy initiatives

In the last week of April 2023, managers from state potato organizations joined the National Potato Council (NPC) in Washington, D.C. to meet with key administration officials, members of Congress, and committee staff members to

advocate for the $100.9 billion U.S. potato industry’s policy priorities.

During an in-person meeting at NPC’s office, the group met with Katie Zenk, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Deputy Undersecretary for

Above: Managers from state potato organizations, including Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association Executive Director Tamas Houlihan (sixth from left in the first image), joined the National Potato Council in Washington, D.C. to meet with key administration officials and advocate for the U.S. potato industry’s policy priorities.

Marketing and Regulatory Services, and Dr. Mark Davidson, USDA Deputy Administrator, Plant Protection and Quarantine, to discuss pressing trade issues.

Of specific concern are efforts to prevent the spread of Prince Edward Island, Canada, potato wart to the United States and eliminating trade barriers with Japan.

The state managers then walked to Capitol Hill to meet with key congressional and committee staff members, including: • S enate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and majority staff •H ouse Agriculture Committee majority and minority staff • S enate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee majority and minority staff • S enate Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee majority staff 52 BC�T June

Ali's Kitchen Greek Cinnamon Spuds Combine Sweet & Savory Complex spices married with crispy roasted potatoes and dill yogurt sauce make a lovely dish

Column and photos by Ali Carter, Wisconsin Potato Growers Auxiliary Two things you might find interesting this month: One, I typically turn up my nose at savory foods that are mixed with sweet things such as fruit or sweet spices; and two, our oven went kaput, and we have been living for months without the ability to cook with it.

deserving of sympathy.

I mention the oven in hopes that you will find me both inspiring and

Now for the inspirational part. I’ve

Going months without a usable kitchen oven is not an easy task for a woman who shows her love for people with food. Nor is it fun for a family that lists cooking and baking as two of their favorite group activities. continued on pg. 54

INGREDIENTS: Greek Cinnamon Potatoes • 4 russet potatoes • 1/2 cup olive oil • 2 Tbsp. dried thyme • 2 tsp. cinnamon • 1 tsp. black pepper BC�T June 53

Ali's Kitchen. . .

Advertisers Index

continued from pg. 53

had a blast experimenting with all my kitchen gadgets! Did you know that a cast iron Dutch oven over an open fire in the backyard bakes up some surprisingly incredible bread? I likely would not have learned this had our kitchen contained a working range.

For today’s recipe, I made use of our small countertop Kitchen Aid oven.

This contraption has become the workhorse of our kitchen and is used daily.

It did wonderfully with these roasted potatoes. However, due to size constraints, I still suggest you use an old-fashioned oven to avoid having to roast in batches as I did.

Lay the seasoned wedges onto a baking sheet. Be sure not to overcrowd them so they can roast evenly and crisp up!

Advanced Farm Equipment............ 2

Pour the remaining seasoning and oil from the bowl over the potato wedges on the pan.

Manufacturing Ltd. ...................... 5 Big Iron Equipment....................... 21

Cook in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.

Bushmans’ Inc................................ 3

Flip all the potatoes, return them to the oven, and cook for another 15-20 minutes or until wedges are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.

While potatoes are roasting, prepare the dill yogurt dipping sauce.

AgCountry Farm Credit Services... 30 Allan Equipment

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CINNAMON POTATOES? Speaking of this recipe, it combines potatoes with cinnamon, which, in my mind, is a spice reserved exclusively for sweet things.

John Miller Farms......................... 19

Although a bit hesitant, I was inspired to give sweet and savory a try after scrolling past a random video snippet of a woman sprinkling cinnamon and thyme over freshly sliced potatoes and calling them “Greek.”

Nelson’s Vegetable

J.W. Mattek & Sons....................... 17 Lockwood Mfg.............................. 23 Mid-State Truck Service................ 36 Storage Systems Inc.................... 49 Noffsinger Manufacturing............ 52 North Central Irrigation................ 50 Nutrien Ag Solutions.................... 13

The idea stayed with me for a few days before I gave in to my curiosity.

I was not able to locate the original video, and a Google search for “Greek Cinnamon Potatoes” didn’t provide the recipe for which I was searching.

So, I did my best to recreate it from the varied internet findings and my memory. The results were delicious!

The complex sweet cinnamon spice married with earthy thyme and the crispy edges of roasted potatoes is a combination I will repeat again soon, and the dill yogurt sauce took everything over the top.

DIRECTIONS Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

Wash potatoes and cut them into fat wedges. Place the wedged potatoes in a large bowl. To the bowl, add the olive oil, thyme, cinnamon, and black pepper. Give the bowl a good shake to distribute the oil and seasoning on all the potatoes.

54 BC�T June

Oasis Irrigation............................. 56 Omex USA..................................... 15 Oro Agri........................................ 11 Riesterer & Schnell....................... 28

INGREDIENTS: Dill Yogurt Sauce • 1 1/2 cups plain yogurt • 1 tsp. lemon zest • 1 Tbsp. lemon juice • 1 garlic clove, finely minced • 1 tsp. honey • 1/4 cup fresh dill • salt and pepper to taste DIRECTIONS Mix all the ingredients together and set aside.

Roberts Irrigation ......................... 37 Ruder Ware.................................. 14 Rural Mutual Insurance................ 34 Sand County Equipment............... 25 Schroeder Brothers Farms.............. 7 Swiderski Equipment.................... 43 T.I.P............................................... 46 ThorPack, LLC............................... 51 Vantage North Central.................. 32

TO SERVE Plate the roasted potato wedges, sprinkle with a bit of black pepper.

Serve with the dill yogurt dipping sauce.

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Enjoy!

WSPIA........................................... 42

Warner & Warner, Inc................... 33 WPVGA Putt-Tato Open................ 35 WPVGA Spud Seed Classic............ 55

Friday, June 16, 2023 Bass Lake Country Club W10650 Bass Lake Road Deerbrook, WI 54424

Deadline for sponsorship commitments to be included in June Badger Common'Tater: May 5, 2023* DINNER SPONSOR $2,500

SILVERTON SPONSOR $1,000 BUSHMAN’S RIVERSIDE RANCH

• Company name/logo on two banners placed in prominent areas • Company name/logo on dinner ticket & one beverage cart • Company name and logo in Badger Common'Tater • Verbal recognition and name on sign at event • Registration and dinner for four golfers

LUNCH SPONSOR $2,000 • Company name/logo on one banner and lunch ticket • Company name/logo on one beverage cart • Company name/logo in Badger Common'Tater • Verbal recognition and name on sign at event • Registration and dinner for four golfers

GOLDRUSH SPONSOR $1,500

• Company name/logo on one banner • Company name/logo in Badger Common'Tater • Verbal recognition and name on sign at event • Registration and dinner for one golfer

SUPERIOR SPONSOR $500

• Company name/logo on one banner, in Badger Common’Tater and verbal recognition and name on sign at event

OCCUPIED HOLE SPONSOR $300

• Company name on hole sign • Rights to occupy a hole on the course and provide giveaways*

*If alcohol is being served, it must be purchased through the golf course

• Verbal recognition and name on sign at event • Company name/logo on one banner • Company name/logo in Badger Common'Tater • Verbal recognition and name on sign at event • Registration and dinner for two golfers

CONTACT KAREN RASMUSSEN for more details (715) 623-7683 Make checks payable to WSPIA *

We WILL accept sponsors after this date.

MAIL PAYMENT TO: WSPIA, P.O. Box 173 Antigo, WI 54409

BASIC HOLE SPONSOR $200

• Company name on hole sign • Verbal recognition and name on sign at event

Since 1998, this tournament raised over $166,000, which was donated to Wisconsin potato research.

P.O. Box 327 Antigo, WI 54409 CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED

Non-Profit Org U.S. Postage Paid Stevens Point, WI 54481 Permit No. 480

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