Eyes on Associates By Joe Kertzman, managing editor, Badger Common’Tater
The planning and effort
that went into the 2022 Grower Education Conference & Industry Show, February 8-10, at the Holiday Inn & Convention Center in Stevens Point, was apparent from the start. A collaborative effort between the Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association (WPVGA), University of Wisconsin Division of Extension, and the WPVGA Associate Division, the well-attended event was a welcome chance to conduct business in person. In addition to helping plan the Industry Show, the WPVGA Associate Division also acquires donated items and holds a fundraising silent auction during the event, with proceeds going back to the industry toward scholarships and education. This year, the silent auction brought in over $2,000 in scholarship funds. On Tuesday evening, the Wisconsin Seed Potato Improvement Association and WPVGA Associate Division held their annual reception on the show floor, including appetizers and refreshments. 54 BC�T March
On Wednesday morning each year of the Grower Education Conference & Industry Show, the WPVGA Associate Division holds a breakfast, meeting and board elections. The Associate Division Board of Directors elected Julie Cartwright of Jay-Mar, Inc., Plover, Wisconsin, to be its president for 2022. Matt Selenske from Allied Cooperative’s Pest Pros Division, Adams, was elected vice president of the Board. BOARD OF DIRECTORS The rest of the directors for 2022 include: Andrew Curran of R&R Insurance, Appleton; Morgan Forbush, McCain Foods USA, Inc., Wisconsin Rapids; Ethan Olson, T H Agri-Chemicals, Inc., Plainfield; Paul Salm (treasurer) of BMO Harris Bank, Altoona; Sally Suprise (secretary), C & D Professional Insurance Services, Waupaca; and Andy Verhasselt of
Above: Each year, on Wednesday morning of the Grower Education Conference & Industry Show, the WPVGA Associate Division holds a breakfast, meeting and board elections. The 2022 WPVGA Associate Division Board is, from left to right, Paul Salm (treasurer), Andy Verhasselt, Julie Cartwright (president), Andrew Curran, Morgan Forbush, Ethan Olson, Matt Selenske (vice president) and (inset) Sally Suprise (secretary).
T.I.P., Inc., Custer. Suprise was an incumbent Associate Division Board member who was reelected to the Board for her second term. Curran, Forbush and Olson were elected for their first terms on the Board. They replace Chris Brooks, Central Door Solutions, who served two terms on the Board, one as president; Rich Wilcox, First State Bank, who served two terms on the Board as treasurer; and Justin Yach, Compass Insurance Services, who served one term on the Board. In its sixth year, the WPVGA Associate Division’s “Bringing Value to Agriculture” session, Wednesday, February 9, consisted of five 10-minute presentations given by select Industry Show exhibitors.
