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. 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.

At lunch on Wednesday, February 9, during the 2022 Industry Show, Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association (WPVGA) Executive Director Tamas Houlihan (left) presented Rich Wilcox with a plaque honoring his service on the WPVGA Associate Division Board of Directors. Wilcox, of First State Bank, served two terms on the Board as treasurer. WPVGA Executive Director Tamas Houlihan (right) presented Chris Brooks with a plaque honoring his service on the Associate Division Board, including a term as president. Brooks, of Central Door Solutions, served two terms on the Board this time around, and he has been on the Board in the past.

Exhibitors apply for the opportunity to discuss new technologies, tools, services and approaches their companies offer in agricultural management of potato and vegetable production systems. The WPVGA and Associate Division banquet, Wednesday night, wraps up the Industry Show and has become the premier social event in the Wisconsin potato industry, including a nice social hour, dinner, awards and entertainment.

As the new Associate Division Board president, Cartwright will be writing this Eyes on Associates column monthly beginning with the April 2022 issue of the Badger Common’Tater. Until then, be well and stay safe. What do you expect from the seed potatoes that you buy? Over 100 Years of Tradition

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The early generation that you want. View a directory of the Wisconsin Certified Seed Potato Growers on your smartphone.

Wisconsin Seed Potato Improvement Association, Inc. P.O. Box 173 • Antigo, WI 54409 • 715-623-4039

www.potatoseed.org