February 2024 Badger Common'Tater

$28/year | $2.50/copy | Volume 76 No. 02 | February 2024

THE VOICE OF WISCONSIN'S POTATO & VEGETABLE INDUSTRY

2024 EQUIPMENT/SUPPLIES & POTATO EXPO COVERAGE ISSUE POTATO EXPO BREAKS Exhibitor & Attendee Records KEEPING WISCONSIN Agriculture Competitive DEMYSTIFYING FINAL Food Traceability Rules POTATO FLAKE & FLOUR PLANT Operating in Central Wisconsin

INTERVIEW:

WYATT KRAM

Crary Industries / Lockwood Manufacturing

Spuds like these are turned into potato flake and flour at Top Tier Ingredients in Hancock, Wisconsin.

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Inventory • Replenishment services • Handle all freight needs • Long-Range planning • Jenna Wenzel • John Eckendorf Nic Bushman • Chris Lockery Jerome Bushman (FL - WI) Mike Gatz, Jim Stefan and Chris Fleming (Milwaukee) Paul Hegewald (All fruits and vegetables) Mike Whyte (Michigan) Transportation: Matt Dobbe • Denise Moze Mike Carter CEO | John Hopfensperger COO

800-826-0200 715-677-4533 • Fax: 715-677-4076 Rosholt, Wisconsin

On the Cover: Incoming potatoes are shown at the Top Tier Ingredients, LLC potato flake and flour manufacturing facility centrally located within the Wisconsin potato production area, in Hancock. With knowledge and experience in the potato business dating back five generations, the Pavelski family of Heartland Farms is using that experience to improve its operations.

8 BADGER COMMON’TATER INTERVIEW: Lockwood Engineering Manager Wyatt Kram reviews the hydraulic valve bank connections on a new 774 Harvester at Crary Industries / Lockwood Manufacturing in West Fargo, North Dakota. This issue’s interviewee, Kram says Lockwood boasts a legacy dating back to 1935 and the company is one of two dominant domestic manufacturers of potato equipment, also having penetrated international markets.

DEPARTMENTS: ALI’S KITCHEN.................... 65 BADGER BEAT.................... 50 EYES ON ASSOCIATES......... 56

18

42

49

NEW POTATO FLAKE & FLOUR PLANT ARRIVES

NEW PRODUCTS

NPC NEWS

Top Tier Ingredients facility built in Hancock, Wisconsin

GreenLight Biosciences granted registration on CalanthaTM bioinsecticide

Leadership in the Field program to take place at Gettysburg Military Park

FEATURE ARTICLES: 24 POTATO EXPO 2024 tradeshow attendees filled largest expo hall in event’s history 46 IMPROVING STATE’S roads & bridges helps keep Wisconsin agriculture competitive 58 DEMYSTIFYING FSMA Section 204 requirements for traceability and recordkeeping 4

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MARK YOUR CALENDAR...... 6 MARKETPLACE................... 53 NOW NEWS....................... 34 PEOPLE.............................. 40 PLANTING IDEAS.................. 6 POTATOES USA NEWS........ 60 SEED PIECE........................ 62 WPIB FOCUS...................... 54

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: Nicola Carey 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: Sally Suprise Treasurer: Paul Salm Directors: Melissa Heise, Ethan Olson, Scott Scheer, Morgan Smolarek & 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: Heidi Schleicher Vice President: Datonn Hanke Secretary/Treasurer: Becky Wysocki Directors: Jody Baginski, Erin Meister, Dakotah Smiley & Misti Ward

Mission Statement of the WPVGA: To serve the potato and vegetable industry of Wisconsin through education, research, promotion, governmental action and sustainability leadership.

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 providing technology and information resources.

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

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.

BC�T February

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MARK YOUR

Calendar FEBRUARY 6-8

2024 GROWER ED CONFERENCE & INDUSTRY SHOW Holiday Inn Convention Center Stevens Point, WI

21-22

INTERNATIONAL CROP EXPO Grand Forks, ND

26-29

2024 NPC WASHINGTON SUMMIT Washington Marriott at Metro Center Washington, D.C.

MARCH 7-10

POTATOES USA ANNUAL MEETING Denver, CO

26-28

62nd ANNUAL WPS FARM SHOW Experimental Aircraft Association grounds Oshkosh, WI

MAY 18-21

NATIONAL RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION SHOW McCormick Place Chicago, IL

JUNE 21

WSPIA SPUD SEED CLASSIC GOLF OUTING Bass Lake Golf Course Deerbrook, WI

23-26

12TH WORLD POTATO CONGRESS Adelaide, South Australia

JULY 10

2024 PUTT-TATO OPEN GOLF OUTING Lake Arrowhead Golf Course Nekoosa, WI

11

HARS FIELD DAY Hancock Agricultural Research Station Hancock, WI

31

RARS FIELD DAY Rhinelander Agricultural Research Station Rhinelander, WI

AUGUST 23-26

WISCONSIN FARM TECHNOLOGY DAYS Country/Rock Fest Grounds Cadott, WI

OCTOBER 17

5TH ANNUAL SPORTING CLAYS SHOOT Wausau Skeet and Trap Club Wausau/Brokaw, WI

17-19

GLOBAL PRODUCE & FLORAL SHOW Georgia World Congress Center Atlanta, GA

28-29

6

RESEARCH MEETING West Madison Research Station and virtual 1 p.m. on Mon., and 8 a.m. on Tues.

Verona, WI BC�T February

Planting Ideas Common ground. Things we can all agree on. Sometimes they seem so elusive, especially in a modern environment of divisive politics.

But then come potato and vegetable growers, industry professionals and multi-generational ag businesses. They all converged, January 10-11, at Potato Expo in Austin, Texas. Austin is a metropolitan area, an incredible melding of people, cultures, beliefs, food, architecture, music, art, businesses, families, and lifestyles. Some people in the ag industry are uncomfortable in urban areas. Others enjoy being outside their comfort zones. Some like loud music, others quiet conversations, still more gravitate toward face-to face business interactions, and many just want to unwind and have fun.

Common ground in Austin might occur in an uncomfortable feeling when one encounters homeless people on the street. I think everyone has trouble with that. Some are convinced that a great number of homeless choose to be so or have made enough bad life decisions to land them in their current predicaments. Others might view homelessness as a failure of government or society, mental illness or a lack of ambition.

One thing everyone agrees on is that it is a sad state of affairs when a modern, wealthy, democratic, free society like the United States has such a large and present homeless population. How can a country that grows so much food and has so many economic and natural resources not be able to house and feed the masses? We can. And farmers are not the problem. Many of the issues America faces today were addressed at the 2024 Potato Expo in Austin—government regulations, feeding an exploding population on less land and with few resources, sustainability, biologicals versus chemicals, paper or plastic, and water quality and quantity, to name a few.

My flight back to Wisconsin was delayed, then cancelled because of snow and high winds. I booked a Holiday Inn, spent an extra night in Austin, checked in after an exhausting day, and went for dinner. There, I saw a couple who I’ve known for a long time—Greg and Shan Zdroik, shown with me (the bearded one) in the image above. We raised our kids together. We’re close friends. We agree that this country is beautiful, it should take care of its own, we are blessed, and there are solutions. Common ground. Thank goodness for it. See complete coverage of the Potato Expo herein.

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

WYATT KRAM, Lockwood engineering manager

NAME: Wyatt Kram TITLE: Lockwood engineering manager COMPANY: Crary Industries / Lockwood Manufacturing LOCATION: West Fargo, North Dakota HOMETOWN: Fargo YEARS IN PRESENT POSITION: 1.5 PREVIOUS EMPLOYMENT: Trail King Industries SCHOOLING: Bachelor of Science degree in operations management, and an Associate of Applied Science in manufacturing engineering technology ACTIVITIES/ORGANIZATIONS: 4-H organizational leader and volunteer, and snowmobile club member

By Joe Kertzman, managing editor, Badger Common’Tater

In the northern plains of West Fargo, North Dakota, Crary Industries is best known in the Wisconsin potato and vegetable industry as home to Lockwood Manufacturing.

With a history that includes sunflower seed and bean harvesting equipment, anhydrous applicators, and cutting attachments for combines and swathers, Crary Company was sold to an investment firm, in 1999, and became part of a group of manufacturers specializing in potato planting.

FAMILY: Wife, Katie, and kids, Jack (16), Daphne (13), and Sawyer (21 months)

One of those companies, Lockwood, boasted a manufacturing legacy dating back to 1935, but it was based in Nebraska in outdated facilities.

HOBBIES: Vintage John Deere snowmobiles, custom design, welding and fabrication, long-distance motorcycle riding, and camping with family

The decision was made to double the size of Crary Company to 200,000 square feet and move the Lockwood product line to West Fargo, in 2001.

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BC�T February

In the years since, the company has been able to stabilize its market share as one of two dominant domestic manufacturers of potato equipment and penetrate new international markets.

In 2005, two of the potato companies, Mayo Manufacturing and Harriston Industries, were sold (and have since combined to become Above: Lockwood Engineering Manager Wyatt Kram says Crary Industries / Lockwood Manufacturing of West Fargo, North Dakota, has been able to stabilize its market share as one of two dominant domestic manufacturers of potato equipment and penetrate new international markets.

Harriston-Mayo) to their employees.

That set the stage for the sale of the Crary Company to ECHO Incorporated of Lake Zurich, Illinois, creating a new company named Crary Industries.

Today, Crary continues to make quality products for the agricultural market, and potato planters, harvesters, and foreign material separators/cleaning systems (VACS Mobile) under the Lockwood brand.

Wyatt, what’s your history with the company? In 2008, I started fresh out of school as a manufacturing engineer for Lockwood products.

I worked heavily on the production side, improving efficiency through the shop, providing feedback to design engineering on the most efficient way to manufacture components, and doing jig and fixture design, and new equipment and procedure implementation.

I worked in that role for four years until I moved to Trail King Industries, also in West Fargo.

While working there, I advanced my career, developing people management skills while managing the tooling department as well as a revolving group of four co-ops / interns, per year.

I also learned a host of project management skills, manufacturing process improvement, jig and fixture design, new product development, and capital budget management.

I progressed to senior manufacturing engineer during my 10 years at Trail King.

In spring 2022, I learned of the opening for a manager of Lockwood Engineering at Crary / Lockwood.

I was excited to have an opportunity to re-join the Lockwood team and put all my skills to use leading the engineering group.

What attracted you to Crary Industries/Lockwood in the first place? I come from a strong background in agriculture. My dad farmed until 1993, and he was the

third generation on our soil in northeastern North Dakota.

When I was young, we moved from Langdon, North Dakota, to the outskirts of Fargo, where I had the benefit of growing up with the opportunities provided by living in a metropolitan area as well as still being connected to agriculture through family and friends.

I was a 4-H member and North Dakota state 4-H ambassador in my youth, which also helped keep me connected to my agricultural roots.

Today, my kids are in 4-H as well, and I lead the same club I was a member of as a kid. My 4-H involvement totals 18 years and counting with a family history of somewhere close to 250

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During college, I interned at Amity Technology where I worked with Amity beet equipment, Fargo Air air-seeding products, as well as the Wishek disk. These experiences confirmed for me that I wanted to work in the ag sector.

A position as a manufacturing engineer for Lockwood was a great fit to start my professional career.

Lockwood potato equipment is special in that the products are large, heavy, and complex, but are capable of gently handling a potato at the same time. continued on pg. 10

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Interview. . .

continued from pg. 9

Lockwood’s history in the potato industry of nearly 90 years’ worth of design fundamentals mixed with leading technology makes the product fun and interesting.

As a design engineer, are you directly involved in designing, engineering, and/or building potato equipment?

As the manager of the Lockwood Engineering department, I lead my

team of engineers and technical illustrators. It is my responsibility to break down barriers and chase issues for them.

I help guide the overall design of the equipment to make sure it not only meets our customers’ needs, but also fits with the overall direction and vision we have for Lockwood’s future.

My strong background in designing

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for manufacturability and overall hands-on mechanical ability make me uniquely qualified to offer guidance and direction to my team throughout the design, testing, and implementation process.

I am also given the opportunity to dig in on the most difficult of challenges where I utilize my philosophy of solving the issue in the most simplified manner possible.

My whiteboard is my best friend, where my team and I work through many iterations of possible solutions.

My favorite part of my job is when we have that “ah ha” moment and finally solve the issue with a simple solution.

What sets Lockwood planters, harvesters, windrowers, and handling equipment apart?

Lockwood equipment, in general, is set apart, in my opinion, by the robust designs, industry-leading innovation, and customization available to our customers.

Above & Opposite Page: Potatoes are harvested in Washington State using the Lockwood 774 with high-level harvesting capacity, handling more volume and offering improved cleaning over previous models.

We do not build the highest volume of machines in the industry, but the machines we build are made to perform and last. We take great pride in every machine that leaves our factory, and this can be noticed in our service after the sale.

Of the newest models and technologies, what are those that stand out to you the most as being industry changing and why? I believe

the advancements made in potato cleaning equipment, both in the field and at storage, have made a great impact in reducing the need for manual labor.

Laborers are a sought-after resource in all industries these days, so anything we can do with our equipment to reduce the need can make an impact.

The Lockwood VACS Mobile and VACS 8 have led this effort for us with our newest 774 Air Harvester tested this year complementing the VACS products perfectly. I see more opportunity for new technology to further advance cleaning operations in the coming years and am excited to see how it all develops. continued on pg. 12

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BC�T February 11

Interview. . .

continued from pg. 11

The VACS Mobile unit seems to be one of the most popular foreign material separators and cleaners in the industry. What features make it excel at its designed purpose? I agree that the VACS mobile and our VACS 8 are the industry leaders in foreign material separation.

Aside from a machine designed to handle high volumes, the fundamental method of separation

using air in a vacuum allows for a very controlled system that can be easily dialed in to run optimally.

Recently, we have made some great advancements in these systems with a front-to-back overhaul of our VACS 8 product and a severe duty fan rotor for the VACS mobile.

The VACS 8 improvements have made the machine more user friendly and

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improved the overall cleaning and capacity.

The severe duty fan option for our VACS Mobile allows our fan rotors to last 10 times longer while running in abrasives like sandy soils. It is also optimized to shed heavier soil with a special coating and an improved profile.

Improvements like these, as well as many more on the way, ensure that not only will our VACS products continue to lead the industry, but also give our customers the best separation possible for their operation.

As an engineer, are you and your peers always looking for the newest, greatest machine, or on improving upon what Lockwood already does well? Part of my vision for Lockwood and my team is to do both. My team works on new product development Left: Lockwood machinery, including the VACS Mobile foreign material separator/ cleaner, is set up at the Idaho Potato Conference, in 2023.

Right Top and Bottom: As illustrated in Washington State where it’s shown laying down two rows of potatoes, in 2022, the Lockwood 656 Windrower features dual discharge units.

as well as current product maintenance.

Each year, we define the scope of the new products we will be developing and testing. This development allows us to stay on the cutting edge with technology and bring to market new products that the potato industry needs.

We also have a robust system for managing and tracking requests for product changes and new options.

These requests come directly from our customers and sales team, as well as from our manufacturing team.

Since starting back with Lockwood in this role, I have been driving a strong focus on designing for manufacturability and breaking down barriers for our manufacturing team.

We also receive great feedback from our customers through our sales and service teams, however my favorite way to learn how to improve our products is through directly interacting with our customers in the field.

Is your distribution of planters, harvesters, and windrowers mostly in the Midwest, or nationally/ internationally? And aren’t the harvesters, particularly, engineered for the rockier soil? Lockwood has shipped planters, harvesters, and windrowers both nationally and internationally. The U.S. and Canadian markets have been our primary focus, but we also have machines running in Russia, China, Ukraine, Saudi Arabia,

“There is only so much an engineer can learn behind a desk. Our best classroom is in the field, and I will continue to lead my team with this mentality.”

– Wyatt Kram

Crary Industries / Lockwood Manufacturing

Brazil, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa, to name a few.

new industrial growth. The residential growth has not slowed down either.

Lockwood has several harvester models that are designed with many different options that allow them to work in all soil conditions, including the rockier soils.

Fargo, Moorhead, and West Fargo are at the crossroads of two major interstates, I-29 and I-94. This allows for easy transportation of goods.

The central location also helps in our industry.

How about for the VACS Mobile and its various models—what is the distribution/sales area, and what soils/ground does it excel at cleaning off potatoes? The Lockwood VACS machines are currently used across Canada and the United States. Both the VACS Mobile and VACS-8 models use vacuum to separate the potatoes efficiently and gently from not only rock, but also dirt and field trash, and are available with different cleaning table options.

Is West Fargo, North Dakota an ideal location for the manufacture and distribution of Lockwood products, and if so, what makes it so? I feel that West Fargo is a great place to manufacture potato equipment. The area is growing quickly with a lot of

Of course, we are close to the potato growers in the Red River Valley and Manitoba, but are centrally located, allowing us to easily ship to all other states and provinces.

The most challenging aspect of the location of Lockwood is the unemployment rate. Fargo has only 3% unemployment, which makes staffing difficult at times, however our HR team does a great job recruiting and finding talented help.

The area has numerous postsecondary school options, the most notable being North Dakota State University (NDSU), which graduates many fantastic young engineers. continued on pg. 14

BC�T February 13

Interview. . .

continued from pg. 13

I work with NDSU to offer internship opportunities to these students, giving them some great experience.

How was potato harvest in the Midwest last year? Is it the busiest time for Lockwood employees?

This past harvest had ideal weather conditions for the most part. It seemed to be over as quickly as it started. This is great for our customers, and we like to see things go easily for them.

From an engineering standpoint, we learn the most when dealing with adverse conditions. In the valley, the heavy soil can create some challenging situations for

our engineers to overcome. Equally challenging conditions in other areas of the country are solved in a completely different way.

I am sure, in years to come, there will be no shortage of opportunities to learn.

Harvest is our busiest time. This year started to get busy, out West, in midJuly and things didn’t slow down until mid-October. Planting season is also busy for us, though it is a shorter and less demanding time.

During both planting and harvest, my team and I put in some long hours supporting our customers. The time following harvest is also a very busy

Above: As the manager of the Lockwood Engineering department, Wyatt Kram leads his engineers and technical illustrators to help guide the overall design of the equipment and make sure it not only meets customers’ needs, but also fits with the company’s overall direction.

time for us. This is when we focus on making changes with the knowledge we learned during harvest, as well as working on new designs for the next year.

Some of these new designs have a short window to be built and ready in time to display during the show season in January and February. continued on pg. 16

In 2023, Lockwood set up equipment at the Potato Expo and Washington-Oregon Potato Conference, as well as other industry shows across the potato growing region.

14 BC�T February

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Interview. . .

continued from pg. 14

Above: Lockwood has shipped planters, harvesters, and windrowers both nationally and internationally.

Do you get out into the field and get your hands dirty as an engineer?

My favorite part of my job is being in the field. I am and always have been a hands-on learner, taking things apart at a young age, much to my mother’s dismay.

When I am in the field, I like to take as much time as I can to watch and understand the mechanics of the machine at a very in-depth level.

My team and I take any opportunity to crawl inside the machines, make necessary adjustments and help optimize capabilities.

There is only so much an engineer can learn behind a desk. Our best

classroom is in the field, and I will continue to lead my team with this mentality.

Does Lockwood service machinery and implements after the sale? We rely heavily on our network of dealers to help our customers keep their machines running and in good repair on a day-to-day basis.

However, the engineering and sales teams both get to the field as much as we can to help and learn. We know machines eventually break down, so being there to help means a lot to our customers.

Growing potatoes takes a lot of effort

and can be stressful for the grower at times. We don’t take that lightly. They want brands and companies they can trust when times get tough. We at Lockwood pride ourselves on being that brand.

With small potatoes being a push as of late, can the planters and harvesters be set up easily to handle the smaller seeds and tubers? We had a great test of our ability to handle small potatoes this past fall in Wisconsin. The 774 Air Harvester that we tested at Sand County Equipment was set up for small potatoes and worked out wonderfully.

This harvester is our largest and most complex machine to date, with a host of automatic functions and a capacity that is second to none. I was very happy with how well the harvester performed and how clean and fast the loads were.

The machine was also tested on russets after a change to the primary webs and performed well with those, too. Our partnership with Sand County Equipment certainly helped make this machine possible, and I am excited to see what the future holds.

16 BC�T February

Will Lockwood continue expanding or improving its operations?

Lockwood is seeing a lot of exciting growth right now. We are expanding our sales both in new regions and existing regions.

We have numerous well-developed products and some exciting new ones coming to market. There has been a lot of support internally to help grow and develop numerous different parts of our operation.

With the rapid growth, our manufacturing facility is being streamlined, implementing numerous quality and organizational processes to ensure our customers are receiving the best products possible.

Developing these processes takes a lot of time and diligence, but the payoff to our customers will be great.

What are your own personal goals for the company and your role within it? My goal for Lockwood is to help grow the business in a methodical way in the future. A slow, sustained growth for all areas of the business will ensure a quality product for our customers with a wide variety of equipment that can be customized in many ways.

My direct contribution will be continuing to grow and develop a well-rounded, experienced engineering team that can both improve our existing products and bring new, innovative designs to the field for many years to come. ® ® ® ® ®®

What do you see as the top ways potato farming will change in the future? In the future, I see many exciting changes coming. One that I am watching closely is the shift to electric powered equipment.

This has the potential to be a great improvement to our industry because of the clean, smooth power transmission it allows.

Above: Lockwood Engineering Manager Wyatt Kram says the 774 Air Harvester had a great test of its ability to handle small potatoes this past fall, in Wisconsin. Tested at Sand County Equipment, in Bancroft, the Air Harvester was set up for small potatoes and worked out wonderfully. Kram says he was very happy with how well the harvester performed and how clean and fast the loads were. The machine was also tested on russets after a change to the primary webs and performed well with those, too.

I am also watching the development of visual sorting and AI. This area of technology is growing rapidly. In a short period of time, I believe we’ll see many new possible applications for it in the potato industry.

How can Lockwood help growers ease into those changes? The goal for Lockwood with these new technologies would be seamless integration with simple user interfaces. The research and development of these new technologies will be a concerted effort for the Lockwood engineering team in the future.

The hardware for these systems is reasonably priced, and the development of systems using this hardware has never been easier with open-source programming and the ability to adapt solutions from other sectors into our industry.

With new technologies, our team likes to ease in slow to give us time to learn what works and what doesn’t.

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Potato Flake & Flour Plant Operating in Central Wisconsin Top Tier Ingredients facility built by Pavelski family to meet growing customer needs.

By Joe Kertzman, managing editor, Badger Common’Tater With knowledge and experience in the potato business dating back five generations, the Pavelski family of Heartland Farms, in Hancock, Wisconsin, is using that experience to improve its operations.

Top Tier Ingredients, LLC is a potato flake and flour manufacturing facility centrally located in Hancock, and integrates the newest sustainability and technology practices, as well as cutting-edge equipment.

Built to provide another market opportunity here in Wisconsin for Heartland Farms, Inc. and other growers, the potato flake and flour plant gives Heartland—a key supplier—the ability to provide an integrated supply chain for its customers.

“Many customers we work with today 18 BC�T February

on the raw potato side also utilize potato flake,” says Alicia Pavelski, administrative coordinator, and coowner of Heartland Farms.

An integral step in producing flake involves steam peeling. By doing this, any defect is removed, and it makes a high-quality flake.

“By taking a holistic approach to the supply chain, and sustainability, we can deliver the highest quality potato products, whether raw potatoes or flake, to our customers while also increasing our regenerative ag focus and reducing waste.”

This helps ensure the right potato goes to the right place and enhances the overall quality of the supply chain. According to the Pavelskis, there is a large and growing market

The facility can process potatoes that are slightly bruised or damaged.

Above: Top Tier Ingredients in Hancock, Wisconsin, is the only food-grade potato flake and flour facility in the state of Wisconsin and the Midwest.

for potato flake and flour, particularly in the Midwest.

“We currently work with food manufacturers that utilize our flake and flour as ingredients to help make the products that ultimately get delivered to the consumer,” says Ben Creamer, sales and marketing leader at Top Tier Ingredients.

GROWTH IN RETAIL SECTOR “We also see further growth for us in the retail sector,” he adds, “given our current discussions with many different retailers.”

Top Tier Ingredients is the only foodgrade potato flake and flour facility in the state of Wisconsin and the Midwest.

Left: Potato flake can be used for mashed potatoes, potato salads, soups, and stews, and is found in various breads and rolls.

Right: Jeremie Pavelski checks the potato flake optical sorter.

“This is a significant advantage for us,” Ben says, “as it reduces shipping costs for our customers along with reducing our carbon footprint. continued on pg. 20

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Potato Flake & Flour Plant Operating in Central Wisconsin . . . continued from pg. 19

Additionally, all our raw products are sourced locally, which further reduces the environmental impact.”

Most of the equipment for the plant was purchased from Idaho Steel Products, a leading manufacturer in the potato flake space. Top Tier Ingredients also utilized J.H. Findorff to build the building and contracted with other local suppliers.

The new facility has already won a couple awards, and Heartland Farms utilized its own in-house automation expertise to enhance the facility even more.

“Building a manufacturing plant was a steep learning curve, but the team got up to speed quickly and received praise on the quality of our products after a couple initial bumps,” relates Jeremie Pavelski, president and coowner of Heartland Farms.

“We conducted extensive research and testing,” Jeremie adds, “and

Above: General Manager Travis McIntee and Sales & Marketing Leader Ben Creamer are shown in the Top Tier Ingredients potato flake and flour plant.

we have a wonderful team in place.

We always continue to analyze our operations and remain laser focused on our customer needs.”

potatoes are then scrubbed, cut, and sometimes blanched and cooled, depending on the product, then cooked, and put through a ricer.

GRINDING THE FLOUR Potato flour is made by grinding the potato flake into flour. Potatoes are initially washed, sorted, and put through a steam peeler. The

After the ricer, the ingredients make their way to a large drum and come out as long sheets of essentially potato paper. There are further milling, screening, and detection steps to ensure the safety of the product, and the finished potato flour is then sent to customers.

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One of the reasons Top Tier ingredients sees continued demand is that potato flour is a good alternative to wheat flour or corn starch. Potato flour is gluten free and high in fiber, carbohydrates, potassium, and vitamins B and C. It is also low in fat, so there’s is a lot to like about it!

“One important point regarding our facility is that we can produce an all-natural product with no additives and low sugar,” Ben says. “To my knowledge, many potato flour facilities can’t do this across the country. All our flake and flour are also Kosher.”

There are a lot of everyday potato flour uses that probably wouldn’t come to mind for many people, including as an ingredient in snack products, soups, and sauces. Potato flour is also used to thicken the outside layer of French fries, resulting in those crunchy fries everyone loves. continued on pg. 22

Above: Just one step in the potato flake and flour manufacturing process involves product going through rollers of the drying drum.

02-24 Badger Common'Tater (7.25x4.75).v1.pdf

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Above: Once through the exit side of the drum shown here, the product is essentially potato paper.

BC�T February 21

Potato Flake & Flour Plant Operating in Central Wisconsin . . . continued from pg. 21

Potato flake can be used for mashed potatoes, potato salads, soups, and stews, and is found in various breads and rolls. Potato flake and flour are also utilized to make many types of chips and other snack foods. The list goes on from there.

PILLAR OF THE BUSINESS “Sustainability is an important pillar of our business and of our customers

as well,” Alicia notes. “Every part of the potato will be utilized on our end to ensure little to no waste.”

“For example, our potatoes are washed and any dirt that comes off the potatoes can be redistributed to the field that we later harvest,” she says. “The skins from the potatoes can also be redistributed and provide further nutrients to our soils or for

animal feed.”

“Because we can utilize potatoes that may not look visually appealing to the consumer, but other than that, they are still a great potato,” she relates, “it opens up opportunities for the grower community and reduces waste.”

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Transportation of finished product to packaging or loading is through a Cablevey system.

Potato flour is used as an ingredient in snack products, soups, and sauces, and to thicken the outside layer of French fries, resulting in those crunchy fries everyone loves.

“We firmly believe that we have the most technology-driven potato flake and flour facility in the world.”

– Jeremie Pavelski,

Top Tier Ingredients, LLC

trains its team in food safety, food quality control and in equipment operation on a day-to-day basis.

“We firmly believe that we have the most technology-driven potato flake and flour facility in the world,” Jeremie states. “All that is great, but you need people to understand the technology and use the data to ultimately deliver the best customer experience possible. That’s what drives us every day.”

As Top Tier Ingredients builds its

customer base, Jeremie says the facility has the capability to double its current capacity. The manufacturer is also exploring further packaging capabilities to meet customer specifications.

“I would add that we have a passion for the potato industry,” Jeremie stresses. “We are an approachable business where culture means a lot to us, and we have a great team that works hard every day to deliver a great product. Plain and simple, we are excited for what lies ahead for

Potato flour (background) is made by grinding the potato flake (foreground) into flour.

Top Tier Ingredients.”

Top Tier Ingredients runs 24 hours a day, and it takes a lot of great people to make that happen.

Next time you are at the grocery store, and you see potato flour or flake in the ingredients, there is a good chance it might have come from the facility right here in Hancock, Wisconsin.

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Potato Expo Breaks Exhibitor & Attendee Records Conference and tradeshow professionals filled the largest expo hall in event’s history

By Joe Kertzman, managing editor, Badger Common’Tater With show floor maps and event schedules in hand, 216 exhibitors and 2,320 attendees descended on the Austin Convention Center, January 10-11, for Potato Expo 2024, breaking all previous records.

Hosted annually by the National Potato Council (NPC), Potato Expo is the largest conference and trade show for the potato industry in North America.

The event brings together U.S. and international growers, suppliers, industry experts, and value chain partners all under one roof. Potato Expo 2024 marks the 16th meeting 24 BC�T February

in the event’s history and the second time it has been held in Austin.

Demand for Potato Expo 2024 surpassed previous events, requiring the host to expand the tradeshow footprint within the 100,000 squarefoot Expo Hall.

Potato Expo has always featured expert speakers and addressed issues top-of-mind for industry professionals. This year, the hosts doubled the number of educational and business-oriented sessions held on three stages—the Expo Stage, Cultivation Stage, and a Pavilion Stage in the all-new NPC Pavilion, which

focused on the industry’s public policy and advocacy efforts.

Potatoes USA, United Potato Growers of America, Potato Sustainability Alliance, and others meet prior to the kickoff of the Potato Expo to organize and plan for the new year.

Above: Eric Schroeder (center) of Schroeder Bros. Farms, Antigo, Wisconsin, and his fellow National Potato Council Board of Directors members cut the ribbon to mark the official opening of Potato Expo 2024.

The 2024 Potatoes USA Winter Meeting, held in the Hilton Austin host hotel for Potato Expo, included an Executive Committee Meeting, as well as Domestic and International Marketing Committee reports, a Finance and Policy Committee Meeting, and Seed Task Force, Industry Outreach, Research, and Administrative committee meetings.

GEN Z & MILLENNIALS In the Marketing Committee Meeting, Bonnie Johnson, Potatoes USA director of nutrition and industry relations, said that the younger generations, including Gen Z and millennials, report the highest awareness of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

“We have to make sure potatoes remain classified as a vegetable [not as a grain or starch] in the Dietary Guidelines,” Johnson stressed.

“We’ve been working to put forth comments for Dietary Guidelines for Americans.”

As far as responding to negative press on potatoes through reputation management, Johnson said two positive stories to every one negative story is a benchmark in the industry, and this year, Potatoes USA has tracked four positive news features for every one negative piece of potatoes press.

Cedric Porter, editor, and owner of the respected “World Potato Markets” newsletter, not only gave a

Above: As part of the 2024 Potatoes USA Winter Meeting, held in the Hilton Austin host hotel for Potato Expo, Bonnie Johnson, Potatoes USA director of nutrition and industry relations, said that the younger generations, including Gen Z and millennials, report the highest awareness of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. “We have to make sure potatoes remain classified as a vegetable [not as a grain or starch] in the Dietary Guidelines,” Johnson stressed.

“We’ve been working to put forth comments for Dietary Guidelines for Americans.” continued on pg. 26

BC�T February 25

Potato Expo Breaks Exhibitor & Attendee Records. . . continued from pg. 25

presentation during the International Marketing Committee Meeting, but also at the 2024 Potato Business Summit held Wednesday, January 10, at the Hilton Austin.

A joint effort of the United Potato Growers of America, United Potato Growers of Canada, and Potato Marketing Association of America, the Potato Business Summit is a comprehensive economic and market analysis of the global and North American potato industry.

This year’s Potato Business Summit included an Economic Outlook presented by Stephen Nicholson of Rabobank; a European Market Update by Porter; a Consumer Market Overview from Kim Breshears of Potatoes USA; and a Fresh Potato Market Outlook presented by United Potato Growers of America President Mark Klompien.

Lucas Wysocki was introduced as the newest chairman of the United Potato Growers of America Board.

Klompien welcomed Lucas aboard, saying, “It’s interesting to have the third generation of Wysocki’s leading the way. Louis was a founding member of the United Potato Growers of America.”

2024 POTATO BUSINESS SUMMIT The Potato Business Summit broke its previous record of 420 guests with 550 registered participants from 33 U.S. states, eight Canadian provinces and many other countries.

Nicholson noted that there’s been 4.9% growth in the U.S. Gross Domestic Product, and consumers continue to spend. He added that, though we’re in a robust economy, consumers do have debt.

“This has been the most forecasted recession that never happened,” Nicholson remarked. “Have the Feds pulled off a soft landing on

Above: Holding a brief conversation during a break from the Potatoes USA Winter Meeting are, from left to right, Jim Ehrlich, executive director of the Colorado Potato Administrative Committee; Tamas Houlihan, executive director of the Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association (WPVGA); Wendy Dykstra of Alsum Farms & Produce who is also a Potatoes USA Board member; Jessica Bradshaw, assistant director of the Colorado Potato Administrative Committee; and Mike Carter of Bushmans’ Inc. who served as chairman of Potatoes USA in 2023.

the economy?”

“Wages are now exceeding the inflation rate, disposable income has picked up, and the economy is up.

Above: Introduced as the new chairman of United Potato Growers of America (UPGA) during the Potato Business Summit, January 10, Lucas Wysocki carries on a tradition that began with his grandfather, Louis, who was a founding member of the UPGA. 26 BC�T February

Above: The Potato Business Summit included an always interesting Economic Outlook presented by Stephen Nicholson, food and agribusiness research and advisory, Rabobank.

There are still more job openings than unemployment,” he added.

There has been drought, however, and the sub-soil is dry, Nicholson noted. “Brazil and Russia have been very aggressive in the global grains market,” he continued, “and Ukraine has seen a 25-30% decrease in agricultural production, which won’t come back anytime soon.”

Porter said that Europe went from a drought in 2022 to flooding in 2023.

“Poland had its lowest potato crop ever this year, and the U.K. crop is also the smallest ever,” he stated.

“Prices have risen for potatoes and are expected to go higher,” Porter added. “There are opportunities for Americans going into the European market. The cost of producing potatoes is going up with high fertilizer and input costs in Europe.”

Potato Expo tradeshow session highlights included, “Potatoes Gone Viral! Reaching the TikTok Generation,” presented by Steve Lerch, digital, marketing and strategy expert, and president of Story Arc Consulting; Chef R.J. Harvey of Potatoes USA; and Chef Jason Morse, Ace Hardware grilling expert.

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Potato Expo Breaks Exhibitor & Attendee Records. . . continued from pg. 27

IT’S WHAT’S FOR GRILLIN’!

Chef Morse also hosted “Potatoes: It’s What’s for Grillin’!” about the barbecue scene in Texas and across the country, with more Americans than ever firing up their grills, smokers, and flattops.

A discussion on “Enhancing IPM for U.S. Potato Production Systems” involved, from left to right, Dr. Katie Dentzman, sociologist, Iowa State University; Washington State University Professor David Crowder; University of Wisconsin-Madison Professor Russell Groves; and Michigan State University Professor Zsofia Szendrei.

Two of Wednesday’s sessions at the Cultivation Theater focused on artificial intelligence (AI), including “Spudding Innovation: The State of AI for the Potato Industry,” with discussion led by executives from KUNGFU.AI, and “The Amazing Capabilities for AI for Food Sorting,”

by Smart Vision Works panelists.

Ron Green, co-founder, and chief technology officer of KUNGFU. Above Left: The Wisconsin contingent at Potato Expo included, from left to right, WPVGA Executive Director Tamas Houlihan, Heidi Randall of Alsum Farms & Produce, Mark Finnessy from Okray Family Farms, Randy Fleishauer of Plover River Farms, and Larry Alsum, Wendy Dykstra, and Alex Coy representing Alsum Farms & Produce.

A “Potato Roundtable” moderated by Melinda Waldrop (right), managing editor of Spudman magazine, showcased winners of Spudman’s Impact Awards, including Dr. Russell Groves (left), professor and chair, University of Wisconsin-Madison Department of Entomology, and Dr. Nora Olsen (center), professor, and Extension specialist from the University of Idaho. Spudman’s Impact Awards honor individuals from all segments of the potato industry who make impactful contributions and demonstrate involvement, innovation, and commitment.

28 BC�T February

Above Right: A replica of Big Tex, the Texas State Fair mascot, held potatoes in one hand, a “Team Potato” T-shirt in the other, and towered over visitors to the Potatoes USA booth during Potato Expo. The Texas A&M belt buckle is the brainchild of alumni Blair Richardson, chief executive officer for Potatoes USA.

AI, said, “We have developed an AI system for Potatoes USA that generates friendly, fact-based responses to bad press. Humans can review, edit, and post the responses, allowing Potatoes USA to efficiently enhance public knowledge.”

Green discussed using drones and AI for field scouting, detection of disease and insect infestation, control, for supply chain optimization, sorting, and grading potatoes, and much more.

In a panel discussion on “Enhancing IPM for U.S. Potato Production Systems,” Michigan State University Professor Zsofia Szendrei, Washington State University Professor David Crowder, University of WisconsinMadison Professor Russell Groves, and Dr. Katie Dentzman, sociologist, Iowa State University, covered the topic of insect management in potatoes. continued on pg. 30

Posing in the Wisconsin Certified Seed booth at Potato Expo are, from left to right, Sandy and Jeff Suchon, Bushman’s Riverside Ranch; University of Wisconsin-Madison Professor Emeritus Walt Stevenson; WPVGA Director of Promotions and Consumer Education Dana Rady; and Paul Salm of BMO Harris Bank and the WPVGA Associate Division Board.

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BC�T February 29

Potato Expo Breaks Exhibitor & Attendee Records. . . continued from pg. 29

Above: Eye-catching displays at the Potato Expo tradeshow included a Newtec Optical Sorter from Fox Packaging Solutions, potatoes displayed vertically by SunRain Potato Varieties, and a hologram of a potato grading and sorting line at the HJV Engineering booth.

“We’ve had a long duration of control with neonicotinoids, but with an uncertain future, we need to get back to practicing integrated pest management,” Dr. Groves suggested.

“There are tools out there.”

“We need to be scouting and

sampling fields, seeing what insects are there and when they’re there, and considering chemical and biological solutions in conjunction with phenology,” Groves stated.

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suggested of determining when insects will populate a field is through weather tracking, saying it gives researchers the ability to alert growers 14 days in advance when vectors will arrive.

“This practice saves growers $9 million a year in Washington,” Dr. Szendrei remarked.

A “Potato Roundtable” with winners of Spudman’s Impact Awards included Dr. Groves and Dr. Nora Olsen, professor, and Extension specialist from the University of Idaho.

Spudman’s Impact Awards honor individuals from all segments of the potato industry who make impactful contributions and demonstrate involvement, innovation, and

commitment.

The NPC was honored to welcome the highest-ranking U.S. federal official to ever attend a Potato Expo— Doug McKalip, chief agricultural negotiator for the Office of the United States Trade Representative.

McKalip and NPC Chief Executive Officer Kam Quarles discussed opening markets to U.S. potato exports.

“Twenty percent of all potatoes grown in the U.S. have to find a home in foreign markets,” McKalip noted.

“My job is to get out there and land as many deals as I can that include market access for potatoes.”

Quarles also led a discussion with

Tyson Redpath of The Russell Group on “Farm Policy and a Dysfunctional Washington, D.C.,” that focused on the Farm Bill, which expired in September 2023.

Moderated by Quarles, “How FritoLay Works with Farmers” included a conversation with PepsiCo executives Laura Maxwell and Ashin Parikh.

STREET & POTATOES “Street & Potatoes: A Battle for the Best Tacos” pitted Mike Carter of Bushmans’ Inc. and Steve Streich, a seed grower from Montana, on one team, against a second team comprised of potato growers R.J. Andrus of Idaho Falls and Jared Balcom from Washington, and then Thomas Baker, Allied Potato, Inc., and

Left: The National Potato Council (NPC) was honored to welcome the highest-ranking U.S. federal official to ever attend a Potato Expo—Doug McKalip (left), chief agricultural negotiator for the Office of the United States Trade Representative. McKalip and NPC Chief Executive Officer Kam Quarles (right) discussed opening markets to U.S. potato exports.

Right: “Street & Potatoes: A Battle for the Best Tacos” pitted Mike Carter (right) of Bushmans’ Inc. and Steve Streich (left), a seed grower from Montana, on one team, versus a second team comprised of potato growers R.J. Andrus of Idaho Falls and Jared Balcom from Washington, and then Thomas Baker, Allied Potato, Inc., and Chelsea Gray of Potatoes USA representing the third team. Carter and Streich emerged victorious for their winning shrimp tacos (with potatoes) and salsa dish.

Chelsea Gray of Potatoes USA on the final team. continued on pg. 32

BC�T February 31

Potato Expo Breaks Exhibitor & Attendee Records. . . continued from pg. 31

Carter and Streich emerged victorious for their winning shrimp tacos (with potatoes, of course) and salsa dish.

Potatoes USA hosted Team Potato

Workout, a full-body, 45-minute class that incorporated weights, resistance bands, and cardio, for a whole-body, calorie-burning, muscle-toning

experience.

Among all the sessions, presentations and cooking frenzy, the tradeshow was busy with people visiting booths, shaking hands, and conducting meetings and business.

Sessions and presentations covered everything rom how technology is changing field management to improvements in seed, accurate seed placement, regional breeding programs, spatial mapping of potato fields, the Japanese and Mexican potato export markets, regenerative agriculture, sustainability, soil health, the future of biologicals, employee engagement, disruptive weather patterns and much more.

As always, the 2024 event included numerous networking opportunities, such as the Kick-Off Reception

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Left: Jacalynn Gumz of Gumz Farms won a fantastic Fire Max 11 keyboard case door prize at the Wisconsin Seed and Chip Potato Reception.

Right: Tom Bulgrin (left) of Gumz Farms, Endeavor, Wisconsin, and Dave and Joann Moquist, potato growers/shippers from North Dakota, enjoy the Wisconsin Seed Potato Improvement Association (WSPIA) and WPVGA Chip Committee Reception at Potato Expo.

with a live auction to benefit the Potato Leadership, Education and Advancement Foundation (Potato LEAF), daily happy hours, and a closing party, Potato Palooza, at the historic Austin venue, Speakeasy.

Potato Expo serves as a forum to

foster collaboration between national and state potato associations, as well as the rest of the industry.

Potato Expo 2025 will be held January 14-15 in Las Vegas. More information is available by visiting www.potatoexpo.com.

Left: All smiles at the Wisconsin Seed and Chip Potato Reception were, left to right, Victoria Stamper from United Potato Growers of Canada, George Martin representing United Potato Growers of America, and Lyla and Jon Davis of the Colorado Certified Potato Growers Association.

Right: Tamas and Paula Houlihan (left and center) pose with Jaap Delleman (right), editor in chief at Potato World Magazine, during the Wisconsin Seed and Chip Potato Reception.

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BC�T February 33

Now News

WPVGA Completes Long-Range Planning Boards, committees and allied organizations solidify vision and mission statements In the last few months of 2023, the Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association (WPVGA) and all its boards, committees and allied organizations conducted long-range planning, culminating in a final board meeting, December 13.

The WPVGA hired former Potatoes USA Chief Marketing Officer John Toaspern to help facilitate the process of identifying vision and mission statements, discuss topics with the greatest need for more work, and to help guide and direct potato industry programs in future years.

The entire process was beneficial in helping identify goals, objectives, strategies, and tasks that will move

the Wisconsin potato industry forward in the years to come.

“I believe we have crafted an excellent plan for the next five to seven years and I look forward to working with all of our members as we move forward,” says WPVGA Executive Director Tamas Houlihan.

“Thanks to our boards, committees and allied organizations for all their help in making the WPVGA the successful organization that it is,” Houlihan adds, “and for helping to ensure our success in the future.”

Right: Former Potatoes USA Chief Marketing Officer John Toaspern helped facilitate the long-range planning process for the Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers

Association in 2023, including working with all the boards, committees, and allied organizations. Toaspern believes success can be achieved when everyone works together toward a common goal.

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Three Farm Credit Association Boards Collaborate AgCountry, Frontier Farm Credit, and Farm Credit Services of America work together The boards of directors for three farm credit associations serving farmers, ranchers, and agribusinesses across eight states approved a collaboration agreement, in December, aimed at better serving their respective customers.

AgCountry Farm Credit Services (AgCountry), Frontier Farm Credit, and Farm Credit Services of America (FCSAmerica) signed a collaboration contract to become effective no earlier than April 1, 2024.

The directors have agreed to share key functions, such as leadership, strategic planning, and technology, while retaining local, independent boards, offices, services, cash patronage programs, and more.

“Our three boards are comprised mostly of farmers and ranchers. We were elected by our fellow memberowners to make decisions ensuring our associations fulfill their mission to current and future producers,” says Lynn Pietig, chair of AgCountry’s Board of Directors.

complicated and our risks and costs as producers increase, we need to know we can count on our lender.

This collaboration better positions us for the future.”

Together, these three farm credit associations serve more than 85,000 producers across Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. For 2022 year-end, AgCountry reported a loan volume of $11.6 billion, Frontier Farm Credit, $2.6 billion, and FCSAmerica, $38.3 billion.

“There are many examples of successful collaborations in the farm credit system,” says Nick Jorgensen, chair of the FCSAmerica Board.

“This one is unique in allowing each association to share functions where it makes sense, yet each retains the local experience we all have come to value from our individual cooperatives and financial teams.”

Shareholders of three associations will receive additional information regarding this collaboration. continued on pg. 36

“Each Association enters this collaboration in a financially strong position,” Pietig states. “By working together, we can achieve benefits of scale that make us even stronger.”

COST EFFICIENCIES The collaboration is expected to facilitate cost efficiencies, new market opportunities, and the ability to provide additional resources for specialized programs, industry insights, and technology to meet the diverse needs of all segments of agriculture.

“Continual improvement is vital to the long-term success of any farm or ranch,” says Shane Tiffany, chair of the Frontier Farm Credit Board.

“Our financial cooperatives are no different. As agriculture gets more BC�T February 35

Now News . . .

continued from pg. 35

Fairchild Equipment Lands 10th Straight MPVP Award Company recognized for commitment to excellence and responsible stewardship Fairchild Equipment, a recognized leader in the material handling industry, has been awarded the prestigious MVP (Most Valuable Partner) Award for its outstanding achievements in 2023 by its industry trade association, The Material Handling Equipment Distributors Association (MHEDA).

business, including their customers, employees, and suppliers. They must satisfy criteria in the following important areas: • Industry advocacy • Customer service and safety practices • Business networking • Continuing education • Business best practices

This achievement marks the 10th consecutive year that Fairchild Equipment has achieved the award.

The MVP Award is a coveted accolade within the industry, with fewer than 10% of MHEDA's member organizations earning this distinction.

Fairchild Equipment’s continued recognition as an MVP within the industry underscores a commitment

to excellence, professionalism, and responsible stewardship in the business world.

To qualify for the annual MVP Award, companies must provide evidence of their commitment to their partners in

“We find immense value in our MHEDA membership and take great pride in being one of the members who values employees, customers, and the communities we serve,” Van Clarkson, Fairchild Equipment’s president and 2023 chairman elect of MHEDA, shares.

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“It’s a true testament to our commitment to our core values, always striving for continuous improvement in these areas!”

Clarkson continues.

“The MVP Award recognizes the best-of-the-best in our industry and is displayed with honor,” says John L. Gelsimino, president of All Lift Service Company, Inc. and 2023 MHEDA chairman.

“To check all the boxes, from education to industry best practices, awards, networking, employee engagement, giving back and much more, MHEDA is proud to have so many companies achieve this award,” Gelsimino says.

Fairchild Equipment, founded in 1985 by Gary Fairchild, is a premier materials handling dealership that offers comprehensive solutions and services, including sales, service, parts, rental, fleet management, training and engineered storage systems.

Its dedicated employees proudly serve customers in Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota, Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and Northern Illinois with positive, personalized, and innovative solutions to meet their needs. For more information, visit: www.fairchildequipment.com.

The Material Handling Equipment Distributors Association (MHEDA) is the premier trade association dedicated to serving all segments of the material handling business community.

MHEDA represents close to 600 companies in the material handling equipment business. Located in suburban Chicago, the association provides services to companies seeking to improve their business through education, networking, benchmarking, and best practices.

For more information, visit www. mheda.org. continued on pg. 38 BC�T February 37

Now News . . .

continued from pg. 37

Central Wisconsin Farmers’ Collaborative Lands Grant Producer-Led Watershed Protection Grant funds awarded for fourth straight year The Central Wisconsin Farmers’ Collaborative secured a fourth grant from the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (WDATCP) following successful conservation work in 2023.

Eight WPVGA member farms in Central Wisconsin are working together on a Producer-Led Watershed Protection Grant project to protect the watershed that includes the Little Plover River and a portion of the Wisconsin River.

This group includes lead farm Plover River Farms, along with Feltz Family Farms, Firkus Farms, Gagas Farms, Hamerski Farms, Myron Soik & Sons, Okray Family Farms and Worzella & Sons.

Conservation practices employed by the group include the extensive use of cover crops, prairie and pollinator plantings, and no-till/minimum-till methods. There were also extensive wetlands restoration practices employed in this watershed.

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FARMERS OF THE ROCHE-A-CRI An additional Central Sands-area Producer-Led Watershed Protection group received its second round of grant funding, in 2023, the Farmers of the Roche-A-Cri.

With matching funds from the WPVGA, the Central Wisconsin Farmers’ Collaborative works closely with the University of Wisconsin Extension and Wisconsin Wetlands Association.

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This producer-led group has members representing Coloma Farms, Signature Farms, ZanBria Artisan Farms, Heartland Farms, Horizon Cranberry Farms, Nathan Bula Farms LLC, Sterling Farms and Flyte Family Farms.

Above: Producer-Led Watershed Protection groups visited the Little Plover River restoration site, on July 12, 2022, in Plover Wisconsin. During the tour, Tracy Hames (front) of the Wisconsin Wetlands Association gave a detailed overview of the work being done to revitalize and strengthen the Little Plover River and waterflow, as well as the encompassing watershed. Behind Tracy, from left to right, are Carolyn Pralle and Kyle Kellner of the Adams County Land + Water Conservation Department; Dana Christel of WDATCP; and Shoshana Halev of The Nature Conservancy.

The WPVGA is proud to see more member farms participate in the Producer-Led Watershed Protection Grant Program.

WDATCP awarded $1 million in Producer-Led Watershed Protection Grants to 47 farmer-led groups for 2023. Grants support producerled conservation solutions by encouraging innovation and farmer participation in on-the-ground efforts to improve Wisconsin’s soil health and water quality.

to-peer learning opportunities for farmers across the state.

Producer-led groups must work with a county land conservation department, University of WisconsinDivision of Extension, a non-profit conservation organization, or the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

Funds cannot pay for real estate,

loans, equipment, or lobbying, and the program places caps on the amount of funding that can be used for staff support to the groups. Each group must start with at least five farmers in the watershed.

For additional details on the impacts of Wisconsin’s producerled groups, visit https://datcp. wi.gov/Documents2/202021ProducerLedImpactReport.pdf.

This is the ninth round of grant awards since funding was first made available in the 2015-’17 biennial budget. Annual interest in DATCP’s Producer-Led Watershed Protection Grant program continues to exceed the budget.

This funding cycle received the highest number of requests in the history of the program, with 47 groups applying for a total funding request of almost $1.6 million. This year’s grant cycle funding will support four new groups while helping veteran groups continue to advance their work.

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Grant projects have focused on providing conservation education to farmers, conducting on-farm demonstrations and research, issuing incentive payments for implementing conservation practices, organizing field days, and gathering data on soil health and water quality.

In 2022, groups in the program delivered conservation practices on over 1.1 million acres, an increase from 978,881 acres in 2021. This includes a 35% increase in no-till practices, a 30% increase in nutrient management, and a 27% increase in cover crop adoption. In addition, the program provides valuable peer-

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BC�T February 39

People Frances Gallenberg Passes Away She worked on the family potato and dairy farm taking care of bookkeeping Frances E. Gallenberg, of Antigo, Wisconsin, passed away on November 30, 2023, at Rosalia Gardens. She was 97 years old. She was born on September 17, 1926, in Antigo, a daughter of Joseph and Martha (Babler) Drexler.

She married Robert Gallenberg on November 28, 1945, at St. John Catholic Church. He preceded her in death on July 26, 2012.

Frances was a graduate of Antigo High School, class of 1944. She worked on the Gallenberg family potato and dairy farm taking care of the bookkeeping and often helped in the warehouse while also raising her seven children.

She was a member and served on the Board of Directors for the Wisconsin Potato Growers Auxiliary. Frances was also a member of St. John Catholic Church, the Gateway Square Dancers,

and the Neffswitch Women’s Club.

MEMORABLE TRIPS Frances and Robert took many memorable trips traveling across the country visiting family and friends.

The biggest trips were to Alaska, Hawaii, and Las Vegas. In her free time, she enjoyed fishing, gardening, playing cards, and spending time with her many grandchildren and greatgrandchildren.

Survivors include four daughters, Sandra (David) TeBeest of Fayetteville, Arkansas, Sharon (Tony) Pellatt of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, June (Don) Barnes of Antigo, and Diane (Loren) Barske of Antigo; and three sons, John (Mary) Gallenberg of Antigo, Gene (Lucy) Gallenberg of Milwaukee, and Roy (Missy) Gallenberg of Bryant, Wisconsin.

She is further survived by 16 grandchildren; four

Frances E. Gallenberg September 17, 1926 – November 30, 2023

step-grandchildren; 26 greatgrandchildren; five great-stepgrandchildren; two great-great-stepgrandchildren; four sisters-in-law, Betty Drexler of Newport, Tennessee, Shirley Drexler of Chicago, Liz Drexler of Waupaca, Wisconsin, and Dorothy Gallenberg of Antigo; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by her sisters, Anna Cronen, Martha Gallenberg, Lorraine Kirsch, and Elizabeth Gallenberg; and brothers, Ray, Clarence, John, Joseph Jr., Jim, and Don Drexler.

A funeral mass was held on Wednesday, December 6, at St. John Catholic Church with the Very Reverend Joel Sember and Reverend Charles Hoffmann concelebrating.

Burial took place in Queen of Peace Cemetery.

Visitation was held, December 5, at Bradley Funeral Home. A parish wake service was also held December 5, and visitation continued December 6 at the funeral home.

To plant a tree in memory of Frances Gallenberg, please visit https:// sympathy.legacy.com/en-us/funeralflowers/productdetails/?affiliateid=0 &sku=tre-tim.

40 BC�T February

Myron Soik Passes Away Peacefully WPVGA member was proud to be inducted into the Hall of Fame Myron M. Soik, 89, of Stevens Point, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully on December 4, 2023, at Whispering Pines Assisted Living, surrounded by his loving family.

Myron was born on February 26, 1934, in Stevens Point to the late Felix and Regina (née Palbrach) Soik.

He attended schools in the town of Stockton before graduating from P.J. Jacobs High School in 1951.

He married the love of his life, Frances Firkus, on April 8, 1961.

Frances preceded him in death on February 24, 2013. He was drafted into the United States Army, in 1958, and was honorably discharged.

In 1946, Myron’s father, Felix, purchased the site of the current farm location in the Town of Stockton (the home farm). Together they worked to expand the farm, buying parcels of land, and utilizing the newest developments that came along.

As Myron’s family grew, the business continued as Myron Soik & Sons. Myron was a member of the Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association and was proud to be inducted into the WPVGA Hall of Fame, in 2014.

He was passionate about animals and was an active member in his church and community. Myron enjoyed listening to polka music, traveling, and spoke fondly of the group farm tours he took with Dave Ankley.

He also liked going to the casino, hunting, playing cards, and Bingo.

One of his favorite pastimes was watching the Brewers and the Packers.

DEEPLY MISSED Myron will be deeply missed by all who knew him. He is survived by six children, Curt, Michelle (Kevin) Wasieleski, Bruce (Stacey), Mark (Barb), Judi (Ron) Gosh, and Lynda (Kevin) Schroeder; and 19 grandchildren, Brian, Michael,

Lindsey, Kirsti, Samantha, C.J., Katie, Cassidy, Josh, Jenna, Heather, Savannah, Mateo, Drew, Leah, Matt, Mickey, Lexus, and Nick.

He is further survived by 11 greatgrandchildren. Myron is also survived by a daughter-in-law, Mary Soik, and sister-in-law, Sr. Rose Margaret Firkus.

Aside from his parents and late wife, Frances, he is preceded in death by his son, Conroy, sister, Dolores Hucke, and brother, Jerome.

The family would like to thank the staff at Whispering Pines Assisted Living for the special care they have provided to Myron over the past year and a half. In addition, they would like to thank Heartland Hospice for the support and compassion given to Myron and his family in his final days.

In lieu of flowers, Myron’s family would appreciate a donation to the Portage County Humane Society at 3200 Iber Lane, Plover, or The Alzheimer’s Association at 225 N. Michigan Ave., Floor 17, Chicago, IL 60601 (www.alz.org).

A Mass of Christian Burial was held for Myron on December 9, 2023, at

Myron M. Soik February 26, 1934 – December 4, 2023

St. Mary Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, in Custer, Wisconsin.

Rev. Mark Miller officiated. Burial followed in the parish cemetery.

Visitation was held at the Pisarski Funeral Home, in Stevens Point, and a parish rosary at the funeral home.

Pisarski Funeral Homes is honored to be serving the family. For online condolences, please visit www.pisarskifuneralhome.com.

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New Products FMC Launches Coragen® eVo Insect Control

Advanced low-use-rate formulation provides quick knockdown of targeted pests FMC has launched Coragen® eVo insect control powered by Rynaxypyr® active for tobacco, brassica/cole crops, potatoes, tomatoes, lettuce, sweet corn, alfalfa, strawberries and other vegetable crops.

Coragen eVo insect control is a new, highly concentrated formulation of Rynaxypyr active, the industry standard for long-lasting, fast-acting protection against Lepidopteran pests.

pest spectrum and activity as Coragen insect control powered

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42 BC�T February

convenience, a common use rate of 1.7 ounces per acre or equivalent to approximately 1 quart per 20 acres.

It easily tank-mixes with other crop protection products, nutrients, and adjuvants.

“Coragen insect control has been a revolutionary tool that growers have trusted for years to protect their crops, and now we’ve evolved the formulation to enhance its capabilities,” states Chris Leon, regional technical service manager for FMC U.S. “The higher active ingredient load in Coragen eVo insect control provides the same extended residual control, while also saving growers time and money by helping limit spray applications across a season,” Leon says. “Strengthening existing technology is another way FMC is continuing to bring innovation to the market and advance agriculture.”

RESIDUAL CONTROL When used in accordance with the label, Coragen eVo insect control provides quick knockdown of targeted pests with extended residual control and has ovi-larvicidal, larvicidal and adult activity.

This solution is the industry standard for Lepidopteran pest management, while also providing effective management of leaf miner larvae and Colorado potato beetle, as well as suppression of whitefly nymphs and other labeled insects across a broad range of crops.

With a favorable environmental profile, Coragen eVo insect control has a low impact on many important beneficial insects and is an ideal choice as a rotational tool for integrated pest management programs.

Coragen eVo insect control is an excellent rotational partner with products like Avaunt® eVo insect control, Exirel® insect control

powered by Cyazypyr® active and Verimark® insect control powered by Cyazypyr active.

“The higher loading or concentration in Coragen eVo insect control means more convenience for our retail partners and grower customers having to handle, transport and store less packaging and product,” Leon says.

“The transition to this new Coragen eVo insect control formulation allows lower use rates and a smaller package size, which improves operational efficiency,” he adds. “Coragen eVo insect control is another example of the FMC commitment to sustainability and reducing the cost to the grower in an ever-increasing competitive landscape.”

For more details and information on labeled pests, use rates and more, visit https://ag.fmc.com/us/en/ insecticides-miticides/coragen-evoinsect-control. continued on pg. 44

The Hancock Agricultural Research Station wishes you a great 2024 crop and storage year!

Hancock Ag Research Station N3909 County Rd. V, Hancock, WI 54943 Tel. (715) 249-5961 Email: hancock@cals.wisc.edu

Also, a big Thank You! We want to thank many businesses and individuals who in 2023 contributed time and resources for the success of our research and outreach activities. We are thankful for your generosity as you help us sustain our research farm and Storage Research Facility activities.

Among these are: • AMVAC Chemical Corp.

• BASF • Bayer • Coloma Farms • Corteva • FMC • Gowan • Gramma Miller’s • Heartland Farms • McCain Foods • MWFPA • Nelson’s Vegetable Storage Systems

• Nichino • Nufarm • Nutrien Ag Solutions • Paul Miller Farms • Potatoes USA • Syngenta • Valent • Vantage North Central • Willis Family • WPVGA • WPVGA Associate Division

BC�T February 43

New Products. . .

continued from pg. 43

GreenLight Biosciences Secures Calantha Registration Bioinsecticide designed to target and control the highly destructive Colorado potato beetle GreenLight Biosciences has been granted registration by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and several states for its groundbreaking CalanthaTM product, designed to target and control the

highly destructive Colorado potato beetle.

An industry first, the registration of Calantha, an innovative bioinsecticide based on RNA, represents a historic

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Following EPA and applicable state approvals, the company has now successfully sold and shipped its first order.

“The registration of Calantha marks not just a milestone for our company, but a quantum leap for farmers, our food system and security, and people,” says Andrey Zarur, chief executive officer of GreenLight Bio. “This is a new day for farmers seeking to balance pest management with biodiversity protection and environmental health.”

“Calantha embodies the promise of such a future,” Zarur assures, “along with the dozens of other innovations in our product pipeline. We are thrilled to witness the impending impact of this commercial chapter of our company in creating a more sustainable future.”

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stride forward in diversifying options for farmers and reducing reliance on conventional chemical pesticides, which can harm both the environment and human health.

Calantha offers growers an additional cost-effective option to address the impacts of the mounting chemical pesticide resistance problem.

Chemical pesticide resistance is estimated to cost the U.S. agricultural sector at least $10 billion each year.

COLORADO POTATO BEETLE The Colorado potato beetle, which decimates plants in the nightshade family, develops resistance quickly to traditional pesticides. The pest accounts for more than a half billion dollars in crop loss worldwide each year.

In addition, as regulatory bodies around the world move to limit the use of certain chemical pesticides, Calantha offers farmers a safe, effective, and easy-to-use alternative.

“Potato growers have expressed their struggle with managing the Colorado potato beetle due to increasing resistance to currently available chemical products. They want effective products that align with their sustainability targets.

Calantha is the perfect fit,” says Mark Singleton, chief commercial officer and general manager of plant health.

“I commend our team’s tenacity in bringing this product to market,” Singleton notes, “and eagerly anticipate the future milestones we will achieve.”

Calantha breaks down quickly, degrading within three days and leaving no harmful residue on plants or in the environment, soil, or waterways.

Consumption of dsRNA (doublestranded ribonucleic acid) by the Colorado potato beetle, and only the beetle, causes it to stop eating and die from its own toxins. Even when tested at 100 times the rate that it will be used in agricultural fields, it has no effect on tested species other than the Colorado potato beetle.

Mixed with water and spread using existing standard agricultural equipment and practices, Calantha is applied at less than one-tenth the rate at which many chemical pesticides are commonly used.

document detailing its more than four-year review of Calantha’s safety and efficacy data and information submitted by GreenLight Bio, including its response to submissions received during an extensive public comment period.

Calantha is the first registration of a foliar-applied product with an RNA ingredient under Section Three of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). This novel RNA-based approach enables Calantha to target the Colorado potato beetle specifically.

In a separate announcement earlier this year, the Insecticide Resistance Action Committee, a global publicprivate technical advisory group focused on resistance management, acknowledged this novelty by creating a new category, Group 35, for ledprona, the active ingredient in Calantha, in its Mode of Action

classification.

Calantha is the first GreenLight Bio product to complete U.S. regulatory review and receive regulatory approval. It is also under review by regulators in other key markets around the world.

The company’s next solution targets control of Varroa mites, a devastating pest of honeybees, and was submitted to the EPA for regulatory review in early 2023.

GreenLight Bio’s breakthrough platform, capable of economically producing dsRNA, fuels its robust pipeline of additional innovative insecticides, fungicides, and herbicides.

Calantha will be available to growers in the United States for use on potatoes in crop year 2024. To learn more, visit https://www.Calanthaag. com.

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FOUR-YEAR REVIEW The EPA released a decision BC�T February 45

Keeping Wisconsin Agriculture Competitive Improving roads and bridges across the state is of paramount importance

By Wisconsin Department of Transportation Secretary Craig Thompson Reprinted with permission from Wisconsin State Farmer Farming has made such great contributions to the culture and history of our state, we sometimes forget that Wisconsin is still an agricultural powerhouse. In fact, agriculture and related industries continue to be one of the cornerstones of Wisconsin’s economy.

Wisconsin agriculture provides 435,700 jobs or 11.8% of the state’s employment.

Agriculture contributes $104.8 billion annually to our state’s economy.

Wisconsin is home to 64,100 farms on 14.2 million acres. Annually,

Agriculture, like nearly all our major industries, relies heavily on freight.

So, when we consider what we as a state can do to make Wisconsin

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more economically competitive, maintaining and upgrading our transportation infrastructure is of paramount importance.

Most agricultural freight in Wisconsin is moving over our roadways in trucks. Even products that spend part of their journey on a ship or in a freight car often begin or end their trip on our roads and highways.

It is vital, then, that we maintain our roads and bridges in good repair. However, four years ago, many of our rural roads and bridges were in bad shape after years of underinvestment.

We understand that when pavement is deteriorating and bridges are weight restricted, it’s not just a time-consuming inconvenience, it puts our state’s farmers and agriculture industry at a competitive disadvantage.

Above: Whether agricultural and food products move by land or water, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation is making the kinds of improvements to our transportation infrastructure that will help agriculture and all of Wisconsin’s freightdependent industries be more competitive, both in the state and in markets all around the world. An Alsum Farms & Produce trailer is shown in Colorado with mountains in the backdrop.

IMPROVING LOCAL ROADS To begin to turn that situation around, Gov. Tony Evers’ administration has devoted historic levels of resources to improving local roads and bridges.

Between the investments in Gov. Evers’ first two budgets and the new federal resources Wisconsin will receive under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, $1.65 billion will be directed to Department of Transportation programs specifically for local road and bridge projects through federal fiscal year 2026.

“We understand that when pavement is deteriorating and bridges are weight restricted, it’s not just a time-consuming inconvenience, it puts our state’s farmers and agriculture industry at a competitive disadvantage.”

– Wisconsin Department of Transportation Secretary Craig Thompson

This total represents more than doubling the funding to local road and bridge structures. Additionally, General Transportation Aids supply another $500 million annually to help address transportation needs.

This increased investment is yielding benefits to residents throughout the state. Since 2019, we have improved more than 5,800 miles of roads and nearly 1,600 bridges throughout the state.

That, in turn, helps to ensure that agricultural goods can reach their destinations quickly and efficiently.

Although we’ve made tremendous progress in a short period of time, it is going to take a sustained commitment to get the thousands of miles of roads that support agriculture into the condition we need.

Here in Wisconsin, we chose to put increased formula funding under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) where it is most needed—in highpriority state and local highway and bridge projects.

ROAD & BRIDGE PROJECTS Wisconsin Department of Transportation’s current schedule will apply federal BIL funding to 513 local road and bridge projects, for a total of $615.6 million during federal fiscal year 2022 through 2026.

This represents a 61% increase in the number of local program projects and an 84% increase in total federal spending for the local program compared to the prior five-year BC�T February 47

Keeping Wisconsin Agriculture Competitive . . . continued from pg. 47

period before the passage of BIL. There are BIL-funded local program projects in every Wisconsin county.

An additional $150 million in local bridge projects are expected to be added through the end of federal fiscal year 2026.

This will enable us to accelerate our efforts to improve the condition of local roads and bridges to benefit

agriculture and everyone who lives in rural communities.

Another transportation resource that’s vital to agriculture is our state’s harbors. Each year, Wisconsin ports handle more than 40 million tons of cargo valued at more than $8 billion, including agricultural commodities destined for international markets.

For example, the Port of Milwaukee is the third largest exporter of grain

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on the Great Lakes.

The primary way the Wisconsin Department of Transportation supports water freight is through grants from the Harbor Assistance Program, or HAP. AG EXPORT FACILITY In Milwaukee, HAP worked with the port, local agricultural commodity company DeLong, and the federal government to create a new Agricultural Maritime Export Facility.

The facility, which opened in July, has the potential to create $63 million in revenue each year and bring Midwestern agricultural projects to new overseas markets.

In 2023, Gov. Evers and the Wisconsin Department of Transportation announced HAP grants totaling $5.3 million for seven harbor maintenance and improvement projects to promote waterborne freight and economic development.

Several of these projects are specifically targeted to enable ports to more effectively load and transport agricultural goods.

In La Crosse, a $200,000 HAP grant will help repair a failing dock wall used to export agricultural commodities and import miscellaneous bulk goods. A second grant of $1,170,000 will help to repair and construct a new dock wall dedicated to the transfer of corn and soybeans.

In Manitowoc, a $1,000,000 grant will help to dredge the bed of the Manitowoc River along frontage used to broaden maritime transportation options for agricultural commodities.

Whether agricultural and food products move by land or water, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation is making the kinds of improvements to our infrastructure that will help agriculture and all of Wisconsin’s freight-dependent industries be more competitive, both in the state and in markets all around the world.

NPC News

Potato LEAF Starts Leadership in the Field Program Participants will learn about the Battle of Gettysburg and visit battlefield The Potato Leadership, Education, and Advancement Foundation (Potato LEAF) is excited to announce a new program, “Leadership in the Field: From Battlefield to Potato Field,” held July 15-18, 2024, at the Gettysburg National Military Park in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.

Throughout the program, participants will not only learn about the elements of the battle as they visit various areas of the battlefield but also how ordinary people were asked to do extraordinary things that impacted the war.

“Potato LEAF is excited to launch Leadership in the Field as a new and unique opportunity to utilize the resources of America’s most revered battlefield to help develop the skills of our industry’s leaders,” states Potato LEAF Chairman of the Board Gregg Halverson.

The Battle of Gettysburg offers a robust case for the study of leadership. The complexity of battle, the size of the opposing armies, and the wide spectrum of personalities represented by military leadership and civilians offer a wide range of perspectives.

Character, communication, team building, humility, flexibility, resilience, strategic or visionary thinking, problem-solving under pressure, and accountability are just a few of the many lessons for which experiential learning at Gettysburg is effective.

“Pointing out the key components of the war and statistics that I can remember two weeks later and the journey they took us on, I feel like I have a better understanding of how the Battle at Gettysburg went down.

And to top it all off, they were able to make it about leadership, too,” noted a 2023 Leadership Institute participant on their Gettysburg experience.

Applications are being accepted through March 1, 2024, and are

open to anyone in the U.S. potato industry. Participants will be selected with preference given to individuals who have participated in leadership programs and are currently serving or have served in industry leadership roles.

The fee for selected participants is $1,800, which includes all

programming by licensed battlefield guides, most meals, and lodging at the Gettysburg Hotel in downtown Gettysburg. The cost of travel is not included in the program fees.

For additional information or to apply, visit https://pleaf.org/ leadership-in-the-field.

Plainfield, WI | 715.335.4900 | www.nutrienagsolutions.com BC�T February 49

Badger Beat Reviewing Successes with Polymer-Coated Urea Controlling the release of nitrogen into the environment makes it less susceptible to leaching

By Matt Ruark, Department of Soil Science, University of Wisconsin (UW)-Madison, and Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association BCS chair for work on nitrogen management

Polymer-coated urea (PCU) has been used frequently in sandy soil

Above: Matt Ruark addresses potato soil health during the 2023 Hancock Agricultural Research Station Field Day. Image courtesy of Troy Fishler

The urea dissolves inside the polymer coating and diffuses through the pores of the polymer. Controlling the release of N into the environment

supplement with additional N to achieve maximum yield.

cropping systems. The novelty of PCU is that each urea prill (pellet) is coated in a polymer that controls the release of nitrogen (N) into the soil environment. makes it less susceptible to leaching.

This leaves more N potentially available for utilization by the crop, leading to less potential need to

This article summarizes key findings from PCU research in Wisconsin and other potato growing areas of North America.

Yield gains at similar N rates: •R esearch conducted on a grower field in 2022, near Coloma, Wisconsin, showed that PCU led to greater yields compared to a conventional split application of 240 lb.-N/acre (560 vs. 487 cwt. [hundredweight]/acre, respectively).

• F ield trials at Hancock, in 2012 Left: Figure 1. The graph shows total potato yield at Hancock, Wisconsin, in 2013, for PCU (applied once at emergence) and a split application of ammonium sulfate and ammonium nitrate.

50 BC�T February

and 2013, both showed greater yields with use of PCU compared to conventional split applications when applied at 250 lb.-N/acre. In 2013, PCU out-yielded conventional split applications at all N rates studied (Figure 1).

• Recent work out of southern Idaho (Taysom et al., 2023), published in the American Journal of Potato Research, showed that use of PCU lead to yield gains in two of three years compared to split applications. In those years, potato yield increased by 42 and 36 cwt./ acre. reduced nitrate leaching by 66%, 29%, and 4%, respectively, when compared to conventional split applications.

• PCU does not seem to have an adverse effect on potato yield.

Studies in Minnesota, Quebec, and New Brunswick have shown that PCU performed equal to conventional split applications.

Reduction in nitrate leaching: • In research conducted on grower fields in 2009, 2010, and 2011, PCU

• Similar results have been shown in Minnesota, where PCU reduced nitrate leaching by 42% when compared to conventional split application (Wilson et al., 2010).

Above: Figure 2. Shown is marketable potato yield response to a nitrogen fertilizer source (U/AN = split applications of urea and ammonium nitrate, while PCU = polymer coated urea). Quadratic equations are provided for each nitrogen source.

Agronomic optimum N rates (AONR) for U/ AN (321 lb.-N/acre) and PCU (270 lb.-N/acre) are also provided. continued on pg. 52

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Keeping Wisconsin Agriculture Competitive . . . continued from pg. 51

Reduction in overall N rate: Only a few studies have properly assessed how optimum N rates are affected by use of PCU compared to conventional split applications.

• Research by Wilson et al. (2009) in Minnesota showed that PCU optimized productivity with 236 lb./ acre of N compared to 251 lb.-N/ acre when using conventional split applications, a savings of 15 lb./acre of N. • On-farm research in Wisconsin, in 2022, showed that PCU optimized yield, with 51 lb./acre less N compared to conventional split applications (Figure 2) Most research evaluating the use of PCU on sandy soil potato production shows benefits in terms of yield gains and reductions in nitrate leaching

52 BC�T February

losses, with several studies showing that less N can be required when using PCU. However, the year-to-year variation in rainfall patterns will limit the consistent benefit of this fertilizer source. There is not necessarily always an economic return of the extra cost of fertilizer every year, but the overall benefit to production and groundwater quality might justify cost long term.

As we seek to reduce nitrate leaching from our production systems, I would encourage more experimentation with this product in your operations.

References Clement et al. 2021. Potato yield response and seasonal nitrate leaching as influenced by nitrogen management. Agronomy 11:2055.

Taysom et al. 2023. Polymer coated urea in Russet Burbank potato: yield and tuber quality. American Journal of Potato Research 100:451-463.

Wilson et al. 2009. Potato response to a polymer-coated urea on an irrigated coarse-textured soil. Agronomy Journal 897-905.

Wilson et al. 2010. Effects of polymercoated urea on nitrate leaching and nitrogen uptake by potato. Journal of Environmental Quality 39:492-499.

Zebarth et al. 2012. Controlled release fertilizer product effects on potato crop response and nitrous oxide emissions under rain-fed production on a medium-textured soil. Canadian Journal of Soil Science.

92:759-769.

Marketplace

By Dana Rady, WPVGA Director of Promotions and Consumer Education

New Consumer Website Showcases AI Feature

Increased traffic and need to update technology made it time for a makeover I recently saw an online image indicating that one of the hardest things to do as an adult is figure out what to make for dinner every night.

It sounds trivial, not to mention completely and utterly ridiculous.

With everything going on in life, why would making dinner every night be so cumbersome? But, yes, adding dinner preparation to an already busy schedule can be stressful.

If you have a family with kids, you likely know what I’m talking about.

If your kids are involved in every activity imaginable almost every night of the week, then you can surely empathize with the magnitude of such a small task.

Making dinner every night, or simply trying to figure out what to make, can be downright daunting. This is especially true if you have big eaters in your house like I do.

What can I make that will be enough for a meal and maybe have some leftovers for the next day’s lunch or even another dinner? What will give everyone the energy they need while also keeping them satisfied? Or the best one yet—what ingredients do I have on hand to make something good without taking time to run to the store? continued on pg. 54

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@wilcoxagriproducts BC�T February 53

Marketplace . . .

continued from pg. 53

Enter a new feature on the Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association’s (WPVGA’s) updated consumer site, www. eatwisconsinpotatoes.com.

After nearly 12 years, WPVGA’s trade and consumer websites are getting a makeover. As the sites aged, support for the included plugins became nonexistent and the code was outdated, not to mention that neither site could handle any component of updated technology like artificial intelligence, or AI. There was another good reason to update the sites—increased traffic.

SPUDLY FINDS HIS VOICE Last year was the first try at giving Spudly more of a voice in terms of promotion and brand awareness for Wisconsin potatoes.

After pushing out social media ads featuring the Wisconsin potato mascot, and with each of those ads listing www.eatwisconsinpotatoes. com as the “place to learn more,” the number of visitors aiming to do just that—learn more—was increasing.

Analytics showed that, over time, consumers came to the site more often and remained on it for longer periods. Hence, there became a need to ensure that the sites were technologically and aesthetically keeping up with the audience they are designed to reach.

The best way WPVGA found to do this was letting AI help families like mine figure out what to make for dinner.

The Eat Wisconsin Potatoes website now has a component called “AI Recipe Generator” that allows visitors to enter in ingredients already in the kitchen, and it will spit back recipes to try!

The best part is that each recipe is based on what you already have on hand. No last-minute trips to the grocery store, no more time in the car, no more waiting. Just type in the ingredients (make sure Wisconsin potatoes is one of them), get the

recipe, have fun in your kitchen and listen to your family rave about the newest creation!

This is a fantastic time-saving measure and a great way to plan your weeknight meals. And it’s a convenient option all based on what you have available without requiring a trip to pick up “one more thing.”

So, give it a try the next time you’re in a bind. You just may be able to thank AI for coming up with your next meal.

The trade website, www.wisconsinpotatoes.com, will be updated next.

WPIB Focus

Wisconsin Potato Assessment Collections: Two-Year Comparison

Month

Jul-22

Aug-22

Sep-22

Oct-22

Nov-22

Dec-22

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

11,923,892.03

Assessment

$133,812.37

$132,196.95

$100,304.10

$177,635.82

$227,110.48

$182,814.53

$953,874.25

Month

Jul-23

Aug-23

Sep-23

Oct-23

Nov-23

Dec-23

CWT

1,313,762.07

1,528,723.01

977,118.59

2,045,401.98

2,686,018.96

2,077,816.49

10,628,841.10

Assessment

$105,353.00

$122,297.83

$78,169.48

$163,634.01

$214,877.01

$165,983.07

$850,314.40

54 BC�T February

Jan-23

Jan-24

Feb-23

Feb-24

Mar-23

Mar-24

Apr-23

Apr-24

May-23

May-24

Jun-23

Jun-24

Year-to-Date

Year-to-Date

Eyes on Associates

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

Hello, everyone. I hope all who attended the Grower Education Conference & Industry Show had a productive and informative week.

Of the many meetings, conferences,

and general gatherings I attend in the off season, I always feel somewhat inspired after our show. It’s nice to visit with customers and researchers to work on the new and old issues that are on our minds.

At our last Associate Division Board Meeting, we put the finishing touches on some business revolving around the Industry Show.

There will be complete coverage of the Grower Education Conference & Industry Show, including the Awards Banquet and Hall of Fame induction, in the March issue, with great pictures from Badger Common’Tater Managing Editor Joe Kertzman, as always.

There are some new things we are trying at the conference and show, and it will be interesting to see how they turn out.

Specifically, the “Bringing Value to Agriculture” breakout session with vendor presentations was scheduled for Tuesday afternoon this year instead of Wednesday, so attendees would have more opportunity to visit the vendors afterwards in the tradeshow.

STUDENT LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP Another new opportunity was the inaugural Student Leadership Development Workshop. As part of an outreach and workforce development effort, selected

56 BC�T February

university and technical college students were invited to attend the Grower Education Conference & Industry Show, on Tuesday, free of charge.

The Associate Division Board reviewed the financials after the 4th Annual Sporting Clays Shoot, held October 19, 2023, and the event netted over $7,600, with 109 participants hitting the range. Thank you to all who attended and donated to the Sporting Clays Shoot. It’s always a lot of fun and a welcome break from post-harvest stress.

The Spudmobile has undergone repairs and will be traveling to events again in the spring. The Associate Division and other Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association committees and boards helped fund the necessary repairs to keep the wheels on the bus, so to speak, and spread the story of Wisconsin potatoes.

The Spudmobile has undergone repairs and will be traveling to events again in the spring. The Associate Division and other Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association committees and boards helped fund the necessary repairs to keep the wheels on the bus, so to speak, and spread the story of Wisconsin potatoes.

I remember taking my young son through the Spudmobile years ago at a Green Bay Packers game, and he absolutely loved it.

It takes a lot of time, talent, and money to keep the educational

vehicle moving forward, and I am thankful there are many people who want to see this industry succeed.

Until next time.

Matt Selenske

WPVGA Associate Division President

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BC�T February 57

Demystifying

FSMA Section 204

Rule requires additional recordkeeping for certain foods to enhance traceability

By Todd Baggett, president, RedLine Solutions On November 15, 2022, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released the Final Rule on FSMA Section 204, which contained the long-awaited regulations on record keeping for products on the Food Traceability List (FTL).

For those already doing case traceability, you are halfway there! The additional information requirements include the introduction of Critical Tracking Events and corresponding Key Data Elements, and the need for a written Traceability Plan.

The high-level summary is below with details available on the FDA Website under FSMA (https://www.fda.gov/ food/food-safety-modernization-actfsma/fsma-final-rule-requirementsadditional-traceability-recordscertain-foods).

The FSMA 204 regulations go into effect in January 2026.

The Critical Tracking Events (CTE’s) for Produce include the following: Harvesting: “…activities that are traditionally performed on farms for the purpose of removing raw agriculture commodities from the place they are grown or raised and preparing them for use as food.”

Receiving: “…an event in a food’s supply chain in which a food is received by someone other than 58 BC�T February

a consumer after being transported (e.g., by truck or ship) from another location.

shipment of a food directly to a consumer or the donation of surplus food.

Receiving includes receipt of an intracompany shipment of food from one location at a particular street address of a firm to another location of the firm at a different street address.”

Shipping does include sending an intracompany shipment of food from one location at a particular street address of a firm to another location at a different street address of the firm.”

Cooling: “…active temperature reduction of a raw agricultural commodity using hydrocooling, icing [except icing of seafood], forced air cooling, vacuum cooling, or a similar process.”

The Key Data Elements have some specifics by CTE, but the common elements include: the location of activity, the commodity and variety if applicable, date, and reference document.

Initial Packing: “…packing a raw agricultural commodity other than a food obtained from a fishing vessel for the first time.”

At the Initial Packing, a Traceability Lot Code and the product description must be included. A written Traceability Plan is required for all items on the FTL and must include a description of the procedures used to maintain the required records, including the format and location of the records.

Transformation: “… an event in a food’s supply chain that involves manufacturing/ processing or changing a food (e.g., by commingling, repacking, or relabeling) or its packaging or packing, when the output is a food on the Food Traceability List.

Transformation does not include the initial packing of a food or activities preceding that event.”

This plan must include: • Description of the procedures you use to identify foods on the FTL that you manufacture, process, pack or hold • A description of how you assign

Shipping: “an event in a food’s supply chain in which a food is arranged for transport (e.g., by truck or ship) from one location to another location.

Shipping does not include the sale or

Above: Some retailers, distributors, and growers/shippers have not implemented case traceability, and even those who have need to add capabilities to capture and report for these requirements.

traceability lot codes to foods on the FTL, if applicable • A statement identifying a point of contact for questions regarding your traceability plan and records • If you grow or raise a food on the FTL (other than eggs), a farm map showing the areas in which you grow or raise such foods. The farm map must show the location and name of each field in which you grow a food on the FTL, including geographic coordinates and any other information needed to identify the location of each field or growing area. This information only needs to be provided to the initial packer and can be a web link if applicable.

• You have to update your traceability plan as needed to ensure that the information reflects your current practices and ensure compliance with the rule.

• You must retain your previous traceability plan for 2 years after you update the plan.

“The additional information requirements include the introduction of Critical Tracking Events and corresponding Key Data Elements, and the need for a written Traceability Plan.”

– Todd Baggett,

president, RedLine Solutions

Some retailers, distributors, and grower/shippers have not implemented case traceability, and even those who have need to add capabilities to capture and report for these requirements.

Todd Baggett is the founder and chief executive officer of RedLine Solutions, a Santa Clara, California company that helps growers/shippers and distributors drive operational efficiency by managing inventory and traceability.

RedLine has been providing solutions

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for receiving and packing, and cooler management for over 25 years.

RedLine’s cloud-based MyProduce. com (visit https://redlineforproduce. com/my produce/) enables companies to manage traceability and inventory control across one or more locations.

Todd is co-chair of the PTI Technology Working Group in which he plays a key role in defining and revising the PTI best practices and is the author of “Produce Traceability for Dummies.”

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BC�T February 59

Potatoes USA News Proposed Committee Structure Changes

Two-year Potatoes USA effort encourages participation from all board members Following over two years of efforts to update the Potatoes USA Board structure and provide a more engaging and participatory experience for all board members, the new rules adjusting the number of board seats and suspending the Administrative Committee have been approved as final by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, as of January 8, 2024.

The next step in this process is to realign the operating committees to better reflect investments being made on behalf of the industry each year.

This is a summary of the proposed committee and subcommittee structure to be implemented in March 2024. The changes are based on the concept depicted in this chart.

The Potatoes USA Board is shown as the base of the organizational structure, with the Finance and Policy Committee directly above it.

All programs and activities approved by the Board are based on the budget, policies, and bylaws managed by the Finance and Policy Committee, with the operational implementation of the budget and programs being the responsibility of the chief executive officer and administrative team.

That team oversees and supports the staff responsible for programs and activities approved by the Board of Directors.

FOUR PRIMARY COMMITTEES All research and promotional programs and activities will fall under the responsibility of four primary committees—Nutrition & Health, 60 BC�T February

Culinary, Production Research, and Market Development.

The Communications Committee will be responsible for oversight of all communications with the industry and target audiences.

In the future, there will no longer be an Administrative Committee.

All board members will be invited to attend all meetings and to sit on one of the committees, allowing for deeper involvement and more participation throughout the year.

The Executive Committee will not change structurally and will still consist of nine committee chairs and co-chairs, the chairperson, and the past chairperson.

There will be two co-chairs for the Production Research Committee, one chair each for Health & Nutrition,

Culinary, Communications, and Finance & Policy. There will be three co-chairs for the Market Development Committee.

The need for three co-chairs of this committee is based on a future focus on marketing and promotional efforts designed to build new demand for potatoes and/or defend existing demand.

These activities and programs will be focused on three categories— foodservice, retail, and consumers.

MARKET DEVELOPMENT Accordingly, Potatoes USA shall create one subcommittee for each focal point within the new Market Development Committee. The subcommittees will be responsible for oversight of related activities on a global basis.

Except for the Market Development Committee, each committee may have up to 12 committee members, and up to 39 members (13 per subcommittee) for the Market Development Committee.

Each of the committees and subcommittees will have a member of the Potatoes USA staff assigned to act as the liaison and program leader.

The individual will work with the chairs and co-chairs to communicate with committee/subcommittee members, prepare for committee/ subcommittee meetings, and implement the strategies, objectives, and tactics approved by each committee or subcommittee.

During this transition, Potatoes USA will have larger summer and

winter meetings. It is recognized that attending all three meetings each year can be a challenge. Therefore, each meeting will be made available for attendance through a video conferencing option such as Zoom or

Microsoft Teams.

For questions related to the coming changes, please contact Blair Richardson at Potatoes USA, blair@potatoesusa.com, or call 303-369-7783.

S GER TA AD

TE

WISCONSIN WISCONSINWISCONSIN WISCONSIN CERTIFIED CERTIFIEDCERTIFIED CERTIFIED SEED POTATOES SEED POTATOES SEEDSEED POTATOES POTATOES

B

As the changes are implemented, the number of board members will decline from approximately 97 in 2025 to roughly 75 in 2026 and approximately 56 from 2027 onward.

BC�T February 61

Seed Piece

Cryogenically Preserving Potato Germplasm University of Idaho uses liquid nitrogen vapor to freeze seed potato tissue

The University of Idaho’s Seed Potato Germplasm Program is

training staff to operate a new cryopreservation unit in which liquid nitrogen vapor will freeze seed potato tissue for long-term storage at negative 320 degrees.

The technology further modernizes University of Idaho’s (U of I’s) stateof-the art Seed Potato Germplasm laboratory, which opened in March 2022. The laboratory produces disease-free potato germplasm for domestic and international seed potato growers and researchers.

The vapor-phase cryopreservation unit will have the capacity to store meristems for up to 1,800 varieties of potato and important breeding clones. Meristematic tissue is the actively growing part of a plant, located at the very tip of the shoot, and can be used to reproduce an entire plant.

62 BC�T February

A droplet containing 10 meristems, which are each about a millimeter long, will be vitrified on a foil strip and placed within a 2-milliliter vial.

Boxes each containing 100 vials will be stored on racks above liquid nitrogen, inside of a 495-pound tank that is 61 inches tall and 31 inches in diameter.

Eight undergraduate students majoring in plant sciences staff the laboratory. They have completed training and began freezing their first samples for long-term storage in fall 2023. They anticipate cryogenically preserving and checking for viability on 20 lines within their first year

Above: Shannon Kuhl, interim director of the University of Idaho Seed Potato Germplasm laboratory, prepares to vitrify potato meristems in liquid nitrogen. Image courtesy of Shannon Kuhl

of operation.

The unit is being funded by a $50,000 grant from the Atchley Foundation Charitable Trust, started by Ashton seed potato farmers Clen and Emma Atchley, who met while attending U of I. Vapor-phase units are more efficient and less prone to sample contamination than cryopreservation units that freeze samples directly in liquid nitrogen.

The university bought its new unit for $24,000 from a California-based distributor, Pacific Science. The remainder of Atchley Foundation’s

grant covered vials, boxes, hoses and other necessary equipment and supplies.

The U of I ships more than 300,000 disease-free potato plantlets and roughly 2,500 pounds of mini-tubers throughout the world each year to researchers and seed growers.

CLEAN IN-VITRO PLANTLETS Mini-tubers are produced by establishing lab-grown, clean in-vitro plantlets in the greenhouse, and the resulting tubers are then planted in the field the following year by seed producers.

About 90% of the potatoes grown in Idaho and 60% of the spuds raised throughout the nation originate from U of I, which started its germplasm program in 1983.

Both the new facility and the cryopreservation technology will help U of I maintain the highest quality

genetics. The cryopreservation unit will enable researchers to efficiently store a library of potato breeding clones and cultivars, helping breeding programs address future challenges such as climate change, pests, and diseases.

“It’s important because it allows us to store large amounts of genetically diverse material for future breeding purposes,” says Shannon Kuhl, interim director of the Seed Potato Germplasm laboratory.

Kuhl’s choice of equipment was informed by a trip she made to Peru’s International Potato Center (CIP) last fall, where she underwent training on cryopreserving potato germplasm.

The center in Peru is among a handful of facilities already using similar units for potato germplasm storage.

Kuhl envisions expanding to operate additional units at the Moscow campus laboratory in the future.

The lab will preserve 100 to 150 meristems per cultivar and periodically thaw a sampling of meristems from a grouping to test for viability. CIP reports an average survival rate per meristem of 60%.

To date, Kuhl and her staff have preserved potato germplasm by growing plants and creating clones using stem cuttings every four to six weeks. That process is time consuming and can also occasionally lead to genetic mutations.

“The qualities of plants can change.

We have had leaf color change and flower color change over time,” Kuhl says, explaining her lab must bring in replacement germplasm from other programs when that happens.

“With cryopreservation, chances of mutations in potato germplasm are reduced, which will provide longterm, stable storage.” continued on pg. 64

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BC�T February 63

Seed Piece . . .

continued from pg. 63

ELIMINATE VIRUSES Cryopreservation technology will also be used to eliminate viruses in new potato clones that are submitted to the facility for storage and distribution.

The current method of cleaning the new clones involves a combination of chemotherapy and heat exposure, repeated over several cycles of cutting and regrowing plant stems.

The process takes a year and a half to ensure a clone is virus and disease free.

Cleaning a clone in a cryopreservation unit, by contrast, takes just a few months. Meristematic tissue is frozen for about a week and then thawed and regrown into a viable plantlet.

“I think, with our new building, we need to step up our game a little bit,” Kuhl says. “With the Atchley

Foundation funding, we will be able to do just that. We are very appreciative.”

Emma Atchley believes the investment will pay great

Above: A student employee excises potato meristems for cryopreservation. Image courtesy of Carly Schoepflin

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WE CAN HELP!  2 - 30” LL Scoops We have parts from: Spring Specials on AllK, fertilizers created • Call: 2 - 24” LL Scoops AVR/UNDERHAUG 1619 County Road Custerwere WInot54423 715-592-4650 • Fax: 715-592-5063 • Email: tip@tipinc.net Pivots…  Spudnik 5620 2 Row Harvester equal…Let us show you the DOUBLE L (LL)  2 - LL Telescoping Conveyors BROEKEMA difference.

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Ali's Kitchen Enjoy This Delicious & Hearty Breakfast

Including baked eggs, the recipe is a fabulous way to use last night’s leftover mashed potatoes Column and photos by Ali Carter, Wisconsin Potato Growers Auxiliary We are a family that enjoys mashed potatoes as a regular staple at our dinner table. Because we do not wait for the holidays to serve up the creamy side dish, you can spy leftover mashed potatoes sitting in my refrigerator on most random weekdays.

I find that this recipe is a fabulous way to use last night’s leftover mashed potatoes while serving a delicious and hearty breakfast.

Serve with some slices of warm, crusty bread and a lightly dressed salad of fresh greens and you’ll have a wonderful brunch to wow guests.

INGREDIENTS: Baked Eggs in Mashed Potatoes • 1/2 cup mashed potatoes • 1/2 Tbsp. butter • 1 large egg • Salt and pepper • 1 Tbsp. Parmesan cheese, shredded (sharp cheddar works well, too) continued on pg. 66 BC�T February 65

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Ali's Kitchen…

continued from pg. 65

DIRECTIONS Heat your oven to 350 degrees.

Place the dish in the preheated oven to cook for 7 minutes.

Grease an individual ramekin or soufflé dish with the pat of butter, then add the mashed potatoes.

After 7 minutes, turn up the heat in the oven and cook under broil for 5 more minutes. The whites of the eggs should be solid, and the yolks should still be soft.

Use a spoon to create a divot in the potatoes; this space will hold the egg.

Crack the egg into the divot, sprinkle a bit of salt and pepper over the egg, and top it all with the shredded cheese.

Let sit for 3-5 minutes before serving.

Enjoy!

®

Natural Fish Fertilizers for

Organic Crop Production

FRUIT Dramm Corporation Manitowoc, WI USA 66 BC�T February

ROW CROPS

PRODUCE

www.FishFertilizer.com

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5053 County 420-21st Road | Gladstone, MI 49837 Contact

AndersonsPlantNutrient.com Nutrien - Great Lakes is an authorized retailer of PureGrade Liquid Fertilizer. ©2022 The Andersons, Inc. All rights reserved. PureGrade and GoldStart are registered trademarks of The Andersons, Inc.

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