June 2022 Badger Common'Tater

$22/year | $2/copy | Volume 74 No. 06 | JUNE 2022

THE VOICE OF WISCONSIN'S POTATO & VEGETABLE INDUSTRY

HARVEST & SPECIALTY VEHICLES/ TRACTORS

INTERVIEW:

NATHAN BULA Nathan Bula Farms, LLC

GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY: Food + Farm Exploration Center HOW DO I BECOME A Healthy Grown Grower?

THIS SUPER PEST Sidesteps Attacks EXPIRED TAX BREAKS Alter 2022 Strategies Russet potatoes are harvested, in 2021, behind a new six-row Lockwood windrower on Nathan Bula Farms, Adams, Wisconsin.

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On the Cover: The view is good from both behind the wheel and in back of a new six-row Lockwood windrower as russet potatoes are harvested, in 2021, on Nathan Bula Farms. Nathan raises 1,177 acres of potatoes and vegetables, including 255 acres of Caribou, Burbank, and Silverton potatoes. He also grows corn, soybeans, and 250 acres of green beans for Razorback Farms.

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BADGER COMMON’TATER

INTERVIEW:

Nathan Bula and his son, Tate, grade chipping potatoes on the family’s Benton, Missouri, farm. The son of Gary and Lynda Bula, Nathan says, in total, his family farms roughly 9,600 acres in Adams and Marquette counties, Wisconsin, and 4,300 acres in Missouri. They bought the operation in Missouri 39 years ago because, “back then, it was a 12-months’ supply of chip stock to Frito-Lay and whoever else was in the game at the time,” Nathan explains.

DEPARTMENTS: ALI’S KITCHEN.................... 57 BADGER BEAT.................... 50 EYES ON ASSOCIATES......... 42

22 BECOME A HEALTHY GROWN GROWER NOW Paperwork and reporting have become streamlined

30 NOW NEWS

Richard Pavelski accepts Outstanding Contribution to Ag Award at banquet

48

MARK YOUR CALENDAR...... 6

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High clearance of John Deere 6120EH Tractor protects yields and quality

FEATURE ARTICLES: 18 FFTFF BREAKS GROUND on Food + Farm Exploration Center in Plover, Wisconsin 34 COLORADO POTATO BEETLE has genetic resources to evolve insecticide resistance 44 FORTY TAX PROVISIONS affecting individuals and businesses expired in year 2021 4

BC�T June

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

4/11/22 3:26 PM

Treasurer: Paul Salm Directors: Andrew Curran, Morgan Forbush, Ethan Olson & Andy Verhasselt Wisconsin Seed Potato Improvement Association Board of Directors: President: Roy Gallenberg Vice President: Matt Mattek Secretary/Treasurer: Andy Schroeder Directors: Charlie Husnick & Jeff Suchon Wisconsin Potato Growers Auxiliary Board of Directors: President: Devin Zarda Vice President: Datonn Hanke Secretary/Treasurer: Heidi Schleicher Directors: Jody Baginski, Brittany Bula, Marie Reid & Becky Wysocki

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

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

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

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 & Outreach Administrator: Doug Foemmel

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

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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 June

5

MARK YOUR

Calendar

JUNE

16-17 17 18

JULY

7 8 9

12-14 19

28

AUGUST

1-3 6 20

2022 NPC SUMMER MEETING Renaissance Nashville Hotel Nashville, TN WSPIA SPUD SEED CLASSIC GOLF OUTING Bass Lake Golf Course Deerbrook, WI PLEAF LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE ALUMNI SUMMIT Nashville, TN HARS FIELD DAY Hancock Ag Research Station Hancock, WI ANTIGO FIELD DAY Langlade Agricultural Research Station Antigo, WI PARDEEVILLE TRIATHLON Chandler Park, 8 a.m.

Pardeeville, WI 2022 WISCONSIN FARM TECHNOLOGY DAYS Roehl Acres and Rustic Occasions Loyal, WI (Clark County) 2022 ASSOC. DIV. PUTT-TATO OPEN GOLF OUTING The Ridges Golf Course Wisconsin Rapids, WI RHINELANDER AG RESEARCH STATION FIELD DAY Rhinelander, WI POTATOES USA 2022 SUMMER MEETING Laguna Cliffs Marriott Laguna Beach, CA MK SPLASH-N-DASH Jack Lake Veterans Memorial Park Deerbrook, WI WAUPACA AREA TRIATHLON South Park-Downtown, 7 a.m.

Waupaca, WI

SEPTEMBER

6-10

POTATO BOWL USA FESTIVITIES Grand Forks – East Grand Forks, ND & MN

OCTOBER

15 20

27-29

2022 SPUD BOWL Community Stadium at Goerke Park, 1 p.m.

Stevens Point, WI 3RD ANNUAL SPORTING CLAYS SHOOT Wausau Skeet and Trap Club Wausau/Brokaw, WI THE GLOBAL PRODUCE AND FLORAL SHOW (formerly PMA Fresh Summit) Orlando, FL

JANUARY 2023

4-5

2023 POTATO EXPO Gaylord Rockies Aurora, CO

FEBRUARY

7-9

6

2023 GROWER EDUCATION CONFERENCE & INDUSTRY SHOW Holiday Inn & Convention Center Stevens Point, WI

BC�T June

Planting Ideas It was a banner day

on April 29, when the Farming for the Future Foundation (FFTFF) broke ground on the Food + Farm Exploration Center in Plover, Wisconsin. Slated to open in summer 2023, the Food + Farm Exploration Center will be a place for people to gather on a journey into the world of modern agriculture, meet people behind the food they eat, build their science and engineering skills, and connect, play, and learn.

The land upon which the Food + Farm Exploration Center is to be constructed was generously donated to the project by the Worzella family, longtime members of the Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association. The center will be located just west of Interstate 39, east of Hoover Road and to the immediate south of Lake Pacawa Park.

Hundreds of invited guests turned out for the groundbreaking ceremony, including donors to the FFTFF and Food + Farm Exploration Center, many of whom are shown in the photo above, as well as potato and vegetable growers, agribusiness and area professionals, legislators and other state and local governmental representatives, the media, and more. Please see the full feature article covering the groundbreaking inside this issue.

An equally exciting evening occurred on May 9, when the Portage County Business Council held its annual American Agriculture Appreciation Banquet at the Holiday Inn Hotel & Convention Center in Stevens Point. The banquet supports and touts the success of agribusiness in Portage County. Plaques and scholarships are presented to students and agribusiness leaders in the categories of 4-H Leadership in Agriculture, Outstanding FFA Senior Awards, Agri-Business Scholarship Recipients, and the Outstanding Contribution to Agriculture Award.

The Outstanding Contribution to Agriculture Award was presented to Heartland Farms Founder Richard Pavelski, who is also director of the FFTFF. Read “Now News” herein for the full story and photos of the event.

I had the good fortune to interview Nathan Bula this issue, son of Gary and Lynda Bula, whose enthusiasm is palpable for being a fourthgeneration potato and vegetable farmer, and for his own son’s visits to the farm.

The cover photo for last month and a couple others of kidney bean harvest within the interview of the May 2022 issue are by Pierce Johnson.

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 NATHAN BULA,

owner, Nathan Bula Farms LLC

By Joe Kertzman, managing editor, Badger Common’Tater NAME: Nathan Bula TITLE: Owner COMPANY: Nathan Bula Farms, LLC LOCATION: Adams and Marquette Counties, WI HOMETOWN: Grand Marsh YEARS IN PRESENT POSITION: 18 PREVIOUS EMPLOYMENT: Woodside Ranch for 1 year SCHOOLING: Western Technical College (WWTC), La Crosse, for agribusiness and science technology, graduating with an Associate Degree in 2006; and AdamsFriendship High School, 2004 graduate ACTIVITIES/ORGANIZATIONS: Potato Industry Leadership Institute graduate and previous Adams County Farm Bureau Board member AWARDS/HONORS: Recognized as Top 10 Young Farmers by Wisconsin Farm Bureau; 2015 World Champion Bow Fisherman; and 2012 Wisconsin Bowfishing Association (WBA) Bow Fisherman of the Year FAMILY: Son, Tate, 4 years old HOBBIES: Shooting billiards and snowmobiling 8

BC�T June

A fourth-generation potato and vegetable grower, Nathan Bula of Nathan Bula Farms LLC, Adams, Wisconsin, carries on his family’s farming tradition.

Nathan’s father, Gary, son of George and Mae Bula, was born and raised on Bula Potato Farms, in Antigo.

Nathan’s mother, Lynda, daughter of Edward and Marilyn Fisher, was also a generational potato farmer. Her grandpa, Lonnie Powell, raised spuds in Langlade County.

In 1970, Gary began sharecropping with another farmer in Plainfield, and two years later, he and Lynda bought land in Grand Marsh and started their own operation.

“On the home farm here in Grand Marsh, I’m only the second generation. Dad and Mom built Gary Bula Farms, Inc. from the ground up,” Nathan says. “I am fourth generation at least in the states. My great grandpa probably farmed potatoes with his own dad in Poland, but we don’t know that.”

“Mom and Dad started Gary Bula Farms from their own sweat equity,” Nathan continues with a sense of pride.

“From my understanding, Dad did some rental agreements in Plainfield, and then wrote Mary Rashke a letter asking to purchase her home farm,” he relates. “It’s cool. We got the letter back recently.”

“Mary’s daughter kept the letter and framed it, so it’s really neat to have my dad’s handwritten letter of intent to purchase Mary Rashke’s home farm,” Nathan says.

KEEP FARMING & NEVER QUIT “Mom and Dad had some good Above: Nathan Bula says his son, Tate, wanted a ride in the truck, so they drove around the shop yard. “Tate loves air horns,” Bula relates.

years farming. They worked hard, raised a lot of chipping potatoes, and had a trucking business for a while,” he continues. “My parents are workaholics. They keep farming and never quit.”

Nathan says their work ethic has allowed him to do what he does on both Gary Bula Farms and his own operation, Nathan Bula Farms. He says he inherited his work ethic, capabilities, and drive to succeed from his parents.

“They had some bumps in the road and hard years like everyone else,” he admits, “but they dug in and worked through it.”

The youngest of four, Nathan explains, between his brother, Bryan, sister, Tammy Garz, oldest sister, Jodi, and his parents, they farm roughly 9,600 acres in Adams and Marquette counties and 4,300 acres in Missouri.

“I co-manage Gary Bula Farms and I have my own farm on the side,” Nathan explains. “We farm as a whole, and my parents do the same with my other siblings.”

“My first year of farming on my own was 75 acres that my parents allowed me to rent,” he adds.

Above: Nathan Bula is the Lenco operator for Gary Bula Farms, and runs planters, the irrigation system, and the combine/ harvesters.

“That has been the family history of allowing the kids to start a little farm on the side and grow it, and

obviously still work on the home farm,” Nathan relates. “They

N V S

continued on pg. 10

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Interview. . .

continued from pg. 9

definitely ‘put down pavers for me to step on.’ Yet, my focus is on Gary Bula Farms, and my own operation is secondary.”

Do you have fond memories you can share of growing up on Gary Bula

Farms? I’ve been working for my dad and mom since I was little. I started farming under Nathan Bula Farms 18 years ago, but simultaneously went full-time after college for Gary Bula Farms over the past 16 years.

Left: Father and son time includes Nathan (left) and his dad, Gary Bula, in the tractor.

“He’s making sure I know what I’m doing,” Nathan says.

Right: It was a long day of harvesting spuds on Nathan Bula Farms LLC, in late August.

Just being able to drive big equipment and run a windrower on our farm in Benton, Missouri, traveling every summer when I was young, there are a lot of memories down there.

I learned a lot about ag there.

Otherwise, I was in school and involved in football, wrestling, and golf. I helped with harvest at the Missouri farm, and had a lot of firsts there, like operating a windrower, harvester, and potato trucks.

10 BC�T June

In Missouri, we’ve grown potatoes, corn, beans, seed corn and various other crops over the years. We used to do cotton, purple-hull peas, and milo, but now it’s chipping potatoes, corn, soybeans, and seed corn.

“He is an employee morale booster, our farm mascot, and the farm clown. He makes everybody’s day when he comes around the farm and talks to them all.”

– Nathan Bula referring to his four-year-old son, Tate

Nathan Bula operates the Lenco following windrower operators Joey and Louie.

We bought the operation in Missouri 39 years ago. Back then, it was a 12-months’ supply of chip stock to Frito-Lay and whoever else was in the game at the time.

We had storages and could store enough potatoes until May each year.

We started digging down there in June and July, and up here in August.

It fulfilled a need to be a year-round supplier and the want for my dad to be a full-time farmer. We still grow chip stock down there, and there’s still a need for it, but we’ve reduced acreage of potatoes.

At what age did you start working the farm, and in what capacities?

I was 11 years old when I started running a piler in Missouri, quite young but capable. The next summer, I was allowed to run a windrower.

An old gentleman, Ernie, ran the harvester. Together, we were slower paced, which was great for learning.

By 16, I was running harvester down there. continued on pg. 12

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Interview. . .

continued from pg. 11

Did you always know you wanted to be a full-time farmer? Yes, since I was little, I didn’t have a want or need to do anything else.

How many acres of potatoes do you grow, and for who? Are they fresh market or for processing? As of right now, I raise 1,177 acres on my own farm, including 255 acres of Caribou, Burbank, and Silverton potatoes.

I grow for Alsum Farms & Produce, as well as McCain’s and Bushman & Associates. McCain’s is processing, and everything else is fresh.

I also grow corn, soybeans and 250 acres of green beans for Razorback Farms, with my rotation being corn, soybeans, green beans, and potatoes.

Do you own your own equipment or share with your dad? We share with the family, so between me, my dad, and my brother. I mainly use my dad’s equipment, but I have a few tractors, trucks, and implements.

Do you have your own employees?

No, I sub-lease my dad’s employees who help me out on my acreage.

Gary has 16 full-time employees here in Wisconsin, four full time in Missouri, and we bring in H2A workers, four who do a full season

and upwards of 30 during harvest.

You told me that, even though your son is only four, he’s a big part of the farm. What did you mean? He is an employee morale booster, our farm mascot, and the farm clown.

He makes everybody’s day when he comes around the farm and talks to them all.

He wants to help in the shop or field, gets in there with a hammer or wrench and holds the flashlight. He talks on the radio all the time and remembers everyone’s name. continued on pg. 14

Above & Left: Nathan Bula says when his son, Tate, visits the farm, he makes everybody’s day and talks to them all.

In the first image, Tate is shown with his grandpa, Gary Bula, getting ready to load red potatoes into a truck for Alsum Farms & Produce, and in the second picture, grandpa and grandson check out the chipping potatoes headed to Backer’s Potato Chip Company in Fulton, Missouri.

12 BC�T June

Nathan Bula’s son, Tate, (right) is shown loading his first potatoes with the Lenco, at the ripe age of 3 ½ years old, and then, (left) digging Burbanks in Marquette County.

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Interview. . .

continued from pg. 12

14 BC�T June

Tate has a great memory. If someone wasn’t feeling the best when he last saw them a few months ago, he asks them how they’re feeling now. He has a super memory and can recall it at any time.

He’s the light of my life and of the farm. Obviously, Tate is my drive for wanting to grow potatoes and vegetables and continue farming, and maybe pass down the farm to him if he so chooses.

He’s my fuel now. He’s why I keep doing what I do, day in and day out.

It makes work a lot easier with him being around the farm. He drives in the tractor with me a lot and adores potato farming.

He knows tractors and hillers, Lencos, and what a tractor is. We even named our new potato warehouse after him, Tate’s Warehouse. He has his name and imprints of his feet and hands in the concrete.

He’s the youngest grandchild of my mom and dad; they have 14 grandchildren, I do believe. It’s hard to get a picture of me without him in it.

Have you expanded Nathan Bula Farms over the years? I started on the fresh side of it and expanded in acreage when I went more into processing, but now my percentage of fresh market potatoes is greater than processing.

22-06 Badger

Tate rides shotgun as his dad, Nathan Bula, harvests potatoes.

Opposite Page: Tate rides shotgun as his dad, Nathan Bula, harvests potatoes. Above: The embedded photo caption written by Nathan Bula says it all regarding this photo of his Common'Tater (7.25x2.25).v1.pdf 2022-05-02 mom, 1Lynda Bula, with1:56 her PM grandson, Tate. continued on pg. 16

BC�T June 15

Interview. . .

continued from pg. 15

Corn and soybeans have also increased in acreage, with me renting and buying farms when they become available and if it makes sense for our processes.

How about equipment and technologies—anything new or evolved since starting on your own?

Just GPS technology as well as some newer equipment over the years.

We run a lot of John Deere GreenStar guidance, our bread and butter.

We’ve also made improvements to become more accurate and precise with fertilizer applications and other practices on the farm.

Was planting delayed due to weather this year, and how do you think that will affect harvest? I think that will affect harvest in the yield department. It was delayed, yes, and at this time [early May], I usually have all our crop in the ground, but we’re halfway right now, so two weeks behind.

I think it will hurt the size profile and yield potential at the end of the year.

I’m hoping for sunny days and cool 16 BC�T June

nights, and maybe I will be pleasantly surprised.

Do you and your dad stagger harvest so you can help each other? Yes, we harvest as a whole. So, when that field over there is ready or if we’re into this bin now, that’s what we harvest.

I rent a bin from Dad and Mom, so when it’s time to put into my bin, we come to my farm.

McCain’s is storage direct, and Bushman & Associates is direct off the field to their packaging plant.

August is usually Bushman harvest, and in the middle of September, it’s into our potato storage.

We go to what field or variety is ready. If we’re doing Burbanks, we farm as a whole and then go to Silvertons. We separate our hundredweight, but not our timing.

Whatever’s ready to go, and that fits into the time slots we have, taking into account weather, obviously, that’s what we dig.

We farm so many miles away in different directions, from Castle Lake

Above: In this parting shot, a planted field of red potatoes is shown early one beautiful but mostly cloudy morning.

to Marquette County, and almost all the way down to Wisconsin Dells, stopping just north of Highway 21.

We harvest for quality of crop, putting good potatoes away first.

We farm as a whole and work as a whole. You wouldn’t know, being on my farm, that there’s a difference between my operation and my dad’s.

Have supply chain issues with fertilizers and equipment hurt you, and in what ways? Parts have become hard to find. You have to plan much further out for parts, which has become a big challenge in recent years.

As far as fertilizer prices, we can get it, but we have to pay for it. Cost is a hard pill to swallow, but we all swallowed it. Hopefully it works out with higher commodity prices and we’re just working with higher prices overall.

Our return on investment is down

from what I’ve seen last year, not as good per acre, which is scary for the future, because equipment costs are only going up and have not shown to falter. We’re not keeping up with replacement costs of equipment.

What do you hope for this season? As far as the growing and harvesttimes, I hope for sunny cool days and a smooth harvest … and big yields. High quality and big yields, that’s every farmer’s dream. Timely rains would be very nice throughout summer. With our sandier soils, we need frequent water.

How about for the future of your farm? I farm for the future. Hopefully Tate wants to take it over, and once he’s in the saddle, he can control the reins with my guidance.

Right: The Bula crew was pushing late to get harvest done in August 2021.

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BC�T June 17

FFTFF Breaks Ground on Food + Farm Exploration Center Ag industry, business leaders, and key legislators attend innovative agricultural center groundbreaking It was a cool day in more ways than one, April 29. The rains held off and there was an air of excitement when Farming for the Future Foundation (FFTFF) broke ground on the Food + Farm Exploration Center in Plover, Wisconsin.

With the FFTFF focus being to reconnect people to agriculture and the food they eat, the Food + Farm Exploration Center will be a state-ofthe-art educational manifestation of the foundation’s mission.

The Farm + Food Exploration Center, slated to open in summer 2023, will be a place for people to gather on a journey into the world of modern agriculture, meet people behind the food they eat, build their science and engineering skills, and connect, play, and learn.

It will be a teaching farm, a children’s 18 BC�T June

museum, science center and community workshop all rolled into a tantalizing celebration of food and farming.

The Farm + Food Exploration Center will also be a place to educate current and future generations about agricultural innovation and sustainability.

In short, it will be a place where everyone has a seat at the table.

The land upon which the Farm + Food Exploration Center is being constructed was generously donated to the project by the Worzella family, one of Central Wisconsin’s multigenerational farmers and longtime members of the Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association.

The center will be located just west of Interstate 39, in Plover, east of Hoover Road and to the immediate

south of Lake Pacawa Park.

Candise Miller, executive director of the foundation, said the center will operate as the common ground for the public to explore the innovative nature of agriculture and become inspired by it.

Above: A rendering of the Food + Farm Exploration Center and sign announcing its anticipated completion in 2023 helped communicate the Farming for the Future Foundation’s vision during a groundbreaking ceremony, April 29, in Plover, Wisconsin.

BRIDGING THE DIVIDE “There is a gap where many people just aren’t connected to the food they eat on a personal level anymore,” Miller said at the groundbreaking ceremony. “We are working to bridge that divide, bringing people back to the table to have conversations about where their food comes from.”

With kids today being roughly four or five generations away from agriculture, the connections are largely considered to be lost.

“Fostering a greater understanding of production agriculture is essential if we are to proactively address the challenges of feeding a growing world with fewer resources,” Miller said.

There are a lot of components involved regarding the Food + Farm Exploration Center, which will be a hands-on experience with a mix of interactive programs such as cooking and horticulture classes that highlight the FFTFF mission.

Farming for the Future Foundation board members, along with Wisconsin Secretary of Agriculture Randy Romanski and Chris Roth, president and CEO of Reinke Manufacturing Company, broke ground on the Food + Farm Exploration Center, April 29, in Plover, Wisconsin. From left to right are Paul Palmby; Richard Okray; Tamas Houlihan; Les Dobbe; Andy Diercks; Jordan Lamb; Richard Pavelski; Michelle Peariso; Alicia Pavelski; Roth; Sec. Romanski; Candise Miller; and Gregg Hansel.

The center’s programming will have a strong focus on workforce development. Richard Jaworski, director of the Food + Farm Exploration Center, said he sees the

center as a place for engagement and learning through the various programming and practical hands-on training to be offered. continued on pg. 20

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BC�T June 19

FFTFF Breaks Ground on Food + Farm Exploration Center . . . continued from pg. 19

Farming for the Future Foundation Executive Director Candise Miller said the Food + Farm Exploration Center will operate as a common ground for people to explore the innovative nature of agriculture and become inspired by it.

Co-chairs of the Cultivating Connections Campaign Cabinet are, from left to right, Richard Pavelski of Heartland Farms, Inc., Richard Okray, Okray Family Farms, and Les Dobbe of Lineage Logistics. Pavelski is the director and founder of the Farming for the Future Foundation. As of the groundbreaking ceremony, the Foundation had raised $20,288,717 to bring the Food + Farm Exploration Center closer to life. The Cultivating Connections Campaign expects to continue fundraising throughout the next year.

“I look forward to it being a leading agritourism destination that promotes STEM careers in agricultural sustainability and innovation through exciting and engaging programs and exhibits,” Jaworski said.

state legislative liaison; and Drew Nussbaum, regional tourism specialist with the Wisconsin Department of Tourism.

“We need a generation that’s relevant, and now we have the opportunity to encourage young people to go into STEM-related fields,” he added.

As of the groundbreaking, the Foundation had raised $20,288,717 to bring the center closer to life.

The Cultivating Connections Campaign expects to continue

fundraising throughout the next year, bringing together those who care most about production agriculture, including but not limited to multigenerational farmers, aligned industry, friends, and neighbors.

Richard Pavelski, a founding board member of the foundation, announced on Friday, April 29, that

The FFTFF has also piloted curriculum that meets school state standards and has teachers and fourth-grade students involved in the process.

OUT IN FORCE In addition to growers, ag industry representatives and business leaders, several key Wisconsin legislators and government officials attended the groundbreaking ceremony.

They include Rep. Patrick Snyder; Rep. Nancy VenderMeer; Rep. Katrina Shankland; Sen. Patrick Testin; Secretary of Agriculture Randy Romanski; Gregg Wavrunek, Sen. Tammy Baldwin’s regional representative for Portage County; Amy Resop, Sen. Ron Johnson’s 20 BC�T June

Wisconsin’s elected officials helping break ground on the Food + Farm Exploration Center are, from left to right, Rep. Katrina Shankland; Rep. Nancy VenderMeer; Rep. Patrick Snyder; Sen. Patrick Testin; Al Haga, chairman of the Portage County Board; Tom Davies, Plover Village Board president; and Amy Resop, Sen. Ron Johnson’s state legislative liaison.

he would match up to $1 million raised through May 31.

NEVER A GREATER NEED “There has never been a greater need for people to understand where their food comes from,” Pavelski said. “The center is critical to ensuring we can meet the growing demands of the industry, and that is why my family initiated this match program.”

“We hope to inspire others to donate by maximizing their gifts,” Pavelski concluded.

“Every project like the Food + Farm Exploration Center needs visionaries,” Miller reasoned. “Thank you to the Pavelski family. Richard and Barbara announced this past winter a $2 million fundraising match, and now they’re announcing a matching gift of $1 million.”

Perhaps Richard Okray of Okray Family Farms summed it up best when he noted, “Our industry, and not just farmers, is being called upon

“I look forward to it being a leading agritourism destination that promotes STEM careers in agricultural sustainability and innovation through exciting and engaging programs and exhibits.”

– Richard Jaworski, director of the Food + Farm Exploration Center

to feed the growing world, and to do it with less resources.”

“Two of the most important ingredients are a trained workforce and the nurturing of relationships.

This center will be a gathering place for agriculture to promote collaboration. The journey of a thousand steps,” he said, “begins with one.”

For more information, contact

Malorie Paine, marketing and communications manager, Farming for the Future Foundation, 715-496-4020, mpaine@fftf.us.

About Farming for the Future Foundation Farming for the Future Foundation is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit dedicated to educating current and future generations about agricultural innovation and sustainability. Farming for the Future Foundation was born in 2018 from the profound need to reconnect people to agriculture and their food.

BC�T June 21

What is the Process to Become a

Healthy Grown Grower?

Paperwork and reporting requirements have been streamlined to simplify the certification process

By Deana Knuteson, University of Wisconsin-Madison Nutrient and Pest Management Program The Wisconsin Healthy Grown© high-bar certified vegetable program is strong and thriving, and recently has been working toward expanding participation.

Healthy Grown has been advancing growers’ use of biointensive Integrated Pest Management (IPM).

By certifying under the Healthy Grown potato, onion and carrot standards, growers are reducing their reliance on high-risk pesticides and enhancing ecosystem conservation efforts.

The program encourages education between growers and University of 22 BC�T June

Wisconsin (UW)-Madison specialists.

Results are achieved based on the relationships between the growers, industry, and UW faculty and staff who work together to promote proven research, educational programming, and grower-driven innovative solutions.

Currently, Healthy Grown accounts for around half of the fresh market potato acres in Wisconsin.

In the last few years, the Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association (WPVGA), led by the Promotions and Consumer Education Committee, has been pushing to

Above: The Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association, led by the Promotions and Consumer Education Committee, is pushing to further expand Healthy Grown participation and create sales and marketing opportunities. Here, Healthy Grown potatoes are on display as part of a promotion at Trig’s Grocery Store in Rhinelander, Wisconsin.

further expand participation, and thus create sales and marketing opportunities.

VALUE IN THE PROGRAM New growers have joined and found value in the program, specifically in education, promotion and documentation that can be used by

their farms for sales, promotions, and community relations.

Yet, many growers are still on the fence about joining.

There are questions: What is the value for new growers? Is it worth it? Why should I bother with the paperwork and documentation, and simply, why put in the time?

“New growers are invited to get teams involved and will receive individualized training and aid as needed to ease the transition.”

– Deana Knuteson,

UW-Madison Nutrient and Pest Management Program

Others may just be afraid to try and don’t want to alter their operations.

The paperwork, unknown time requirements, regulatory and documentation concerns, and effort needed from staff are all legitimate barriers to adoption.

Luckily, the WPVGA, UW teams involved, and current Healthy Grown growers are developing systems to make the transition for new growers easier.

MENTORSHIP TEAMS Teams are being developed to provide mentorship and help

with the certification paperwork and documentation during the first few years.

As far as the costs, the WPVGA is supporting certification so, as of now, growers haven’t needed to pay for the audits, and although it does take time to fill out paperwork, overall commitments shouldn’t take more than a few days each year.

requirements have been streamlined to simplify the certification process, and now there is an online portal to ease documentation from year to year.

The program is run out of the WPVGA office, and data collection occurs via an online secure portal where growers can copy and paste in a previous year’s data to be modified for a subsequent year.

Paperwork and reporting

continued on pg. 24

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BC�T June 23

What is the Process to Become a Healthy Grown Grower? . . . continued from pg. 23

New growers are invited to get teams involved and will receive individualized training and aid as needed to ease the transition.

So, what is the process to becoming a Healthy Grown grower? Basically, it involves: 1) Meeting with Healthy Grown and WPVGA staff to answer all questions 2) Submitting paperwork to formally sign up for the program 3) Reviewing paperwork needs with Healthy Grown staff and with aid from existing growers who have already done it 4) Documenting practices needed for certification during the summer 5) Finalizing paperwork for WPVGA (done with an easy-to-use online portal)

Rob Nurry sets fire to buckthorn and other invasive shrubs as part of a controlled burn on Okray Family Farms. Controlled burns are one way to restore and conserve ecosystems, part of the Healthy Grown program.

6) Receiving results so growers can sell under the Healthy Grown brand According to comments compiled

from Healthy Grown growers who recently joined the program, although there may seem to be a significant time commitment initially, the overall process is straightforward, easy and streamlined.

Now may be the right time to join, and we encourage you to think about becoming a Healthy Grown grower.

Certification can help you promote your individual farm, document practices and needs, use that for public relations, and most importantly fit into the increasing market demands for sustainable, resilient, and ecologically sound produce.

If you are interested in certifying your potatoes, onions, or carrots, sign up now and review the updated standard and certification process.

For details, contact Julie Braun and the WPVGA office, jbraun@wisconsinpotatoes.com, or call 715-623-7683; or Deana Knuteson, dknuteson@wisc.edu, and 608-347-8236.

Left: Green vegetation peeks through the brush after a controlled burn on Okray Family Farms.

24 BC�T June

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People

Ron Selenske Passes Away

Past WPVGA Board member raised potato crops in Lily and Coloma Ronald Dale Selenske, age 77 of Coloma, Wisconsin, passed away on April 14, 2022, on his own terms after saying goodbye to his family.

Ron was born on January 25, 1945, in Antigo, to Peter and Louise Selenske.

When Ron was 16, he left high school and joined the U.S. Air Force.

Although he wanted to see combat, he instead served much of his time in Duluth, Minnesota. As he always joked, “The Norwegians needed protecting, too.”

During a leave in Pickerel, Wisconsin, he met the love of his life, Judy Jackson. The two were married, on August 3, 1968, in Pickerel after his discharge.

Together, Ron and Judy started a family and a business of potato farming in Lily. They moved their family and farm to Coloma, in 1974, where they continued to reside.

During Ron’s life, he was not only a businessman, but served on boards such as the Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association (WPVGA) Board of Directors and was active in the community.

Ron was a member of the Lion’s Club, Town of Coloma Board, Prince of Peace Church Council, WPVGA, Adams County Co-op, and a proud member of the Hancock-Coloma American Legion. On these boards, he held leadership and membership at large positions.

GIVING BACK He gave back to the community by volunteering his time to the church while they built an addition at Prince of Peace, serving as a flag bearer for the Legion, and by working with Pleasant Lake and Town of Coloma boards to purchase, build and maintain a public swimming beach and park pavilion on the north side of 26 BC�T June

Pleasant Lake.

Although Ron was busy as a potato farmer and active on boards and in the community, his number one priority was family.

Ron loved spending time with his family and friends. He enjoyed having large corn and pig roasts in the summer and inviting the whole town and anyone he knew.

Any day was a good day for a party for Ron. It always amazed his family the amount of people he knew, even getting off an airplane in Jamaica, Ron knew someone.

He also was a huge supporter of his kids. He never missed an honor’s banquet, a high school or college football game or a dance. Even though Ron expected hard work from his family, he also rewarded them with many family vacations.

During these vacations, many memories were made and lots of time was spent together.

Ron loved being elevated to the status of “PopPop Ron” when the grandchildren arrived.

He continued to put family first and attended many plays, dance recitals, wrestling and swim meets, football and baseball games, and pig shows at the county fair. PopPop Ron was always one to say, “Let’s get some ice cream,” after his grandkids’ events.

BIG LAUGH, BIG HEART Ron was a big man with a big laugh and an even bigger heart. He will leave a big hole in the lives of those he leaves behind, especially his three children: Rhonda (David a.k.a.

“Poss”) Nachtigall, Watertown, John (Jennifer) Selenske, Marshfield, and Mary Jo (Kurt) Langenecker, Hartford.

He is also survived by his seven grandchildren. Hanah, Alex and

Ronald Dale Selenske January 25, 1945 – April 14, 2022

Tanner Nachtigall; Faith, Colton and Genevieve Selenske; and Paige Langenecker will cherish memories made with him. He will also be missed by many nieces, nephews, and numerous friends, including his roommate, Mary Schuh.

His loving wife of 38 years, Judy Selenske, preceded him in death in 2006.

Family and friends celebrated the life of Ron Selenske at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Coloma, on Saturday, April 23, with the service beginning at noon, followed by a full military honors sendoff.

As Ron requested “a big party” to remember him, open bar and ice cream sundaes were offered at The Cabin Bar and Restaurant in Coloma, and Italian food and open bar at The Coloma Hotel following the service.

Friends reminisced with family about their memories of Ron. In lieu of money to the family, please provide donations to Ron’s choices of the Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Coloma, and the Hancock-Coloma American Legion.

Compeer Financial CEO to Retire in 2023

Rod Hebrink will step down after 37 years with the farm credit cooperative Compeer Financial, a farm credit cooperative based in the Upper Midwest, announces the intent of President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Rod Hebrink to retire in January 2023.

With Hebrink’s recent announcement, the Compeer Financial Board of Directors will begin to build a succession and transition plan for the CEO position.

“Compeer is in an incredibly strong position today because of Rod’s leadership,” comments Dave Peters, Compeer Financial Board chair.

“On behalf of the Board of Directors, we want to thank Rod for his years of outstanding leadership.”

“He’s done an amazing job building the foundation of this organization and creating a vision for the future,” Peters adds. “Rod brings a true passion for our mission of enriching agriculture and rural America.”

Compeer Financial reported the organization’s strongest results to date in 2021.

• Total assets grew 7.1 percent year over year, to $25.4 billion • Member owners received $197 million in patronage payments in 2021 • $14.8 million was allocated through the Fund for Rural America to support communities’ emerging needs, champion industries the cooperative serves and build for a future to truly serve rural America and agriculture.

“I’m grateful for the opportunity to work alongside the most remarkable clients and team members, while serving the industry I grew up in and have always respected,” Hebrink says.

“I believe Compeer is well positioned for a leadership transition,” he adds.

“Our team is poised to ensure Compeer continues to partner with and support our clients and the communities we serve well into the future.”

“I expect all that we’ve built together combined with the strong foundation of this organization will allow the next CEO to propel Compeer to even greater outcomes in serving our clients in agriculture and rural America,” Rod says.

The Board of Directors will soon begin the search for candidates to succeed Hebrink.

“We are committed to a smooth transition and finding a strong leader who exemplifies the mission and values of our organization, with a dedication to serving our clients,” Peters explains.

“As we move through this process,” he adds, “we have the utmost confidence in Compeer’s leadership team and are excited for what the future holds as Compeer is poised to make an even bigger impact for

Compeer Financial President and Chief Executive Officer Rod Hebrink will retire in January 2023.

agriculture and rural America going forward.”

About Compeer Financial Compeer Financial is the third largest cooperative of the Farm Credit System, a nationwide network of lending institutions supporting agriculture and rural communities with reliable, consistent credit and financial services. Learn more about Compeer Financial by visiting https://compeer.com.

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RandS.com BC�T June 27

NPC News Podcast Takes Stock of 2022 Leadership Institute Participants discuss leadership growth and value the program delivers Each year, the Potato Industry Leadership Institute (PILI) brings together outstanding potato growers and industry representatives for eight days of training and professional development, starting in a potato growing region and concluding in Washington, D.C. when the class links up with participants of the NPC Washington Summit.

During the 2022 Washington Summit, Eye On Potatoes hosted a live podcast recording with PILI alumnus and 2022 Grower-leader Doug Posthuma from Wisconsin, 2022 PILI attendee Bevan Lenz of Colorado, and Potato LEAF Vice President Mike Wenkel to talk about their personal leadership growth and value the program delivers to the industry.

Download and subscribe at https://www.buzzsprout. com/770336/10527278 or wherever

Eye On Potatoes hosted a live podcast recording with Potato Industry Leadership Institute (PILI) alumnus and 2022 Grower-leader Doug Posthuma (second from left, facing camera) of Wisconsin, 2022 PILI attendee Bevan Lenz (second from right), Colorado, and Potato LEAF Vice President Mike Wenkel (right) to talk about their personal leadership growth and value the program delivers to the industry.

you listen to podcasts.

The Eye on Potatoes Podcast is made possible by presenting sponsor, Syngenta. Delivering solutions to help producers face the potato industry’s complex challenges, Syngenta

provides growers with unmatched field expertise along with an array of effective products.

Explore www.syngenta-us.com/spuddoctor to discover solutions for your potato growing obstacles.

Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance Moving Forward Fruit and vegetable industry makes recommendations for new Farm Bill The U.S. fruit and vegetable industry is working together to develop recommendations for a new Farm Bill under the umbrella of the Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance (SCFBA), https://farmbillalliance.com.

National Potato Council CEO Kam Quarles is one of three co-chairs of the SCFBA that has generated billions of dollars in new funding for the industry since its inception nearly 20 years ago.

“The Alliance has provided our diverse 28 BC�T June

industry with discipline and focus as we work to advise Congress and the Administration on policy that matters for growers,” Quarles says.

“Prior to the Alliance’s creation, specialty crops were a bit player in this massive bill. Our challenge this time will be dealing with a tight federal budget and keeping the overall industry united. Potatoes reach into several states that aren’t traditionally specialty crop powerhouses, so our presence adds great value to the

Alliance,” Quarles explains.

An Alliance steering committee meeting was May 12 in Washington, D.C. This followed an initial kickoff meeting in Anaheim during the Potato Expo in January and several working group meetings throughout April and May.

NPC Applauds First Shipments of U.S. Fresh Potatoes to Mexico Growers partner with USDA and USTR to reopen full Mexican market

“This is an important moment for the U.S. potato industry and our partners in the federal government who have fought for decades to restore access to this vital market, but we know the work is not over if we are to keep the border open,” says NPC president and Washington State potato grower Jared Balcom.

The shipments come after more

than 25 years of regulatory and legal obstructions by Mexico, and one year after the Mexican Supreme Court ruled unanimously that U.S. fresh potatoes were legally authorized to be imported.

“This news wouldn’t be possible without the tireless work of Secretary Tom Vilsack, Ambassador Katherine Tai, and their outstanding teams at the U.S. Department of Agriculture [USDA] and U.S. Trade Representative [USTR],” says NPC CEO Kam Quarles.

“Both agencies have made the restoration of U.S. potato access a top trade priority,” Quarles notes.

“We thank them for getting us to this important step and we will need their continued partnership to ensure

that the border remains open as we seek to grow the Mexican market for potatoes.”

Mexico is the largest export market for U.S. potatoes and products valued at $394 million in 2021.

Despite the previous restriction to the 26-kilometer border region, Mexico was the second-largest market for fresh potato exports in 2021, accounting for 124,449 metric tons valued at $60 million last year.

The U.S. potato industry estimates that access to the entire country for fresh U.S. potatoes will provide a market potential of $250 million per year, in five years.

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

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The National Potato Council welcomed the news that the first shipments of U.S. fresh potatoes crossed into Mexico on May 11. The successful crossing signals the start of Mexico’s process to restore full market access for U.S. fresh potatoes after decades of disputes and legal obstructions.

BC�T June 29

Now News Pavelski Honored at Ag Appreciation Banquet

Heartland Farms founder accepts Outstanding Contribution to Agriculture Award

After missing a year because of the coronavirus pandemic, an impressive group attended the Portage County Business Council’s American Agriculture Appreciation Banquet, May 9, at the Holiday Inn Hotel & Convention Center in Stevens Point.

They included potato and vegetable growers and other farmers, agriculture business leaders and agents, legislators and governmental representatives, Portage County Business Council members, and friends, families and guests of honorees and attendees.

The American Agriculture Appreciation Banquet supports and

During the American Agriculture Appreciation Banquet, Portage County Ag Agent Ken Schroeder (right) presented Heartland Farms Founder Richard Pavelski (left) with the Outstanding Contribution to Agriculture Award.

touts the successes of agribusiness in Portage County.

Plaques and scholarships are presented to students and agribusiness leaders in the categories

of 4-H Leadership in Agriculture, Outstanding FFA Senior Awards, Agri-Business Scholarship Recipients, and the Outstanding Contribution to Agriculture Award.

Following a social hour and dinner, special guest speaker Julie Lassa, U.S. Department of Agriculture Director of Rural Development, presented “RD 101-Rural Development: Your Partner in Building Back Better.”

A highlight was the Outstanding Contribution to Agriculture Award presentation to Heartland Farms, Left: Richard Pavelski (center) poses with his family after accepting the Outstanding Contribution to Agriculture Award. From left to right are Richard’s wife, Barbara, his granddaughter, Charlotte Pavelski (held by grandpa), and his son and daughter-in-law, Jeremie and Alicia Pavelski.

30 BC�T June

Inc. Founder and Chairman of the Board Richard Pavelski, who is also director of the Farming for the Future Foundation.

AWARD PRESENTATION Presenting the award to Richard was the evening’s Master of Ceremonies and Portage County Ag Agent Ken Schroeder.

Ken noted Richard’s outstanding commitment and contributions to the Wisconsin agribusiness community as a businessman, philanthropist and fourth-generation farmer.

Center groundbreaking in this issue.)

Wisconsin Sen. Patrick Testin and Rep. Katrina Shankland also presented Pavelski with a Citation of Commendation for his contributions continued on pg. 32

Above: All of the American Agriculture Appreciation Banquet awardees pose with their plaques and scholarships. They are, from left to right, Parker Wisinski; Tyler Kennedy (son of T.J. and Cindy Kennedy, with T.J. being vice president of operations for Heartland Farms); Richard Pavelski; Samantha Simonis; and Annika Waltenberg.

continued on pg. 38

“Richard is responsible for pioneering many agriculture practices in use today, and his generosity is second to none,” noted Schroeder, who listed many of the charities, scholarships, boards, and centers that Pavelski has contributed to and been a member of, as well as the 36 startup companies he’s backed over the years.

Pavelski, a Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Hall of Fame member, has also received the Pacelli Schools Distinguished Alumni Award, among many others, and as a founding member, is largely responsible for his “passion project,” the Farming for the Future Foundation (FFTFF). (See coverage of the FFTFF’s Food + Farm Exploration

PH: 218-346-3357 • Toll Free: 888-884-8070 47418 US Hwy 10 Perham, MN 56573 • w w w . b t u v e n t . c o m

BC�T June 31

Now News . . .

Awards Presentations

continued from pg. 31

to agriculture and his work as a founding member of the FFTFF. Pavelski, whose impact on agriculture in Wisconsin will be felt for generations to come, said he was humbled and honored to receive the Outstanding Contribution to Agriculture Award on behalf of himself and his family.

4-H Leadership in Agriculture Awards - Samantha Simonis of Rosholt High School and Annika Waltenberg, Amherst High School Outstanding FFA Senior Awards Tyler Kennedy, Amherst High School; Samantha Simonis; and Parker Wisinski, Stevens Point Area

Senior High School Agri-Business Scholarship Recipients - Tyler Kennedy and Annika Waltenberg Outstanding Contribution to Agriculture Award - Richard “Dick” Pavelski, Heartland Farms, Inc.

Federal Funding to Support Plant Research New plant germplasm facility has been a top college priority for years Several programs in the University of Wisconsin (UW)-Madison College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS) will benefit from the $1.5 trillion federal appropriations bill recently passed by the U.S. Congress and signed by President Joe Biden.

The spending package includes $39.7 million for the U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service (USDA ARS) to build a new plant germplasm facility to be jointly used by scientists in the USDA ARS Vegetable Crop Research Unit and UW-Madison plant scientists.

The new federal facility will be located on UW land at the West Madison Agricultural Research Station and is to replace the outdated Horticulture Annex and Carrot and Beet Lab. The new building will expand the college’s partnership with USDA ARS, which already involves shared facilities such as the on-campus Dairy Forage Research Center and the dairy research facilities at UW’s Marshfield Agricultural Research Station.

A new plant research facility has been a top priority for the college for many years. In October 2019, several members of the Wisconsin congressional delegation and thenUSDA Secretary Sonny Perdue toured the college’s existing facilities with UW-Madison Chancellor Rebecca Blank and CALS Dean 32 BC�T June

Kate VandenBosch.

GERMPLASM FACILITY “We are very pleased that this new federal plant germplasm facility has been funded, as it will enable us to expand the important plant science research we do here,” says VandenBosch.

“On behalf of the college, I want to express my sincere thanks to the members of Congress who supported the appropriations bill,” she adds, “and especially Rep. Pocan and Sen. Baldwin for their work on the agricultural appropriations subcommittees.”

The 50,000 square-foot building is expected to include dry lab space, three greenhouses, seed storage facilities, driers, and grinding facilities to serve the expanding volume and diversity of plant breeding and genetics work being done to enhance crop quality, productivity, and other traits.

As a federal building, planning and construction will be managed by USDA. Many other programs that support agricultural and life sciences research will receive increased or level funding through the new federal spending package. They include: • $45 billion for National Institutes of Health ($2.25 billion increase over fiscal year 2021 [FY 21])

University of Wisconsin-Madison College of Agricultural and Life Sciences Dean Kate VandenBosch says the new federal plant germplasm facility will enable the school to expand important plant science research.

• $8.84 billion for National Science Foundation ($351 million increase over FY 21) • $7.475 billion for the Department of Energy’s Office of Science ($449 million increase over FY 21) • $12 million for the Center of Disease Control’s vector-borne diseases centers of excellence • $10 million to create a new Institute for Rural Partnerships in Wisconsin • $2 million for the USDA Agricultural Genome to Phenome Initiative ($1 million increase over FY 21) • $25 million for the Dairy Business Innovation Initiative ($4.8 million increase) • $5 million for New Beginning for Tribal Students (level with FY 21)

• $445 million for USDA Agriculture and Food Research Initiative ($10 million increase over FY 21) • $260 million for the Hatch Act agricultural experiment station

formula funding ($1 million increase over FY 21) • $36 million for McIntire-Stennis forestry formula funding (level with FY 21)

• $320 million for Smith-Lever Extension formula funding ($5 million increase over FY 21)

Alsum Farms Launches New Website

Farm to fork story of potatoes and pumpkins highlighted online

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New Alsum Farms & Produce website gives trade and consumer visitors a go-to source of content and product details related to the company’s brands.

Alsum Farms & Produce Inc., a leading fresh market grower, packer and shipper of Wisconsin potatoes, pumpkins, onions, and wholesaler of fresh, quality produce, announces the launch of a new company website, www.alsum.com, to create a better experience for all users.

“The new website highlights our farm to fork story of potatoes and pumpkins,” says Christine Lindner, marketing manager of Alsum Farms & Produce.

“Our website gives trade and consumer visitors a go-to source of content and product details related to the Alsum brand offerings and shares our vertically integrated family-owned farm, packing facility and logistics company’s story of nearly 50 years,” Lindner adds.

The site features a clean and modern design coupled with new functionality to better show the strengths and capabilities of Alsum Farms & Produce.

ALSUM ADVANTAGE The new Alsum Advantage page highlights the operation’s 25-year

commitment to sustainability and stewardship of the soil as a founding grower-member of the eco-friendly Wisconsin Healthy Grown Program that works to strengthen ecosystems and community resilience.

The site is user-friendly and easy to navigate, allowing visitors to find information on visually appealing product pages about Alsum potatoes, onions, and Wisconsin-grown produce, as well as potato-inspired recipes.

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BC�T June 33

Super Pest Sidesteps Attacks

The Colorado potato beetle has the genetic resources to evolve insecticide resistance

By Eric Hamilton, University of Wisconsin (UW)-Madison Communications The Colorado potato beetle has evolved resistance to more than 50 different kinds of insecticides, making the insect a “super pest” that wreaks

havoc on potatoes around the world.

New research finds that the beetle achieved this feat largely by turning to a deep pool of diversity within

its genome, which allowed different populations across the United States to quickly evolve resistance to nearly anything humans have thrown at it.

The pest’s wealth of diversity and arsenal of existing resistance genes will likely make it hard to control in the future, regardless of what new insecticides researchers develop.

But new understanding of the Colorado potato beetle’s genomic resources could help scientists design management systems that keep it in check.

“This beetle was one of the first to be attacked with chemicals in the modern era, and it’s been very successful at evolving past those Above: The Colorado potato beetle moves to a new plant leaf in a Hancock Agricultural Research Station test plot. Photo courtesy of Michael P. King, UW-Madison CALS Left: Sean Schoville, a UW-Madison professor of entomology, scouts for potato beetles. Photo courtesy of the university’s Molecular Ecology Lab

34 BC�T June

attacks,” says Sean Schoville, a University of Wisconsin (UW)Madison professor of entomology who led the new analysis.

“For other insects we’re hoping to control, there are lessons to be learned from studying this pest,” Schoville adds. “What mechanisms does this insect use to get past these insecticides?”

“This beetle was one of the first to be attacked with chemicals in the modern era, and it’s been very successful at evolving past those attacks.”

– Sean Schoville, University of WisconsinMadison professor of entomology

PUBLISHED FINDINGS Along with his collaborators at UW-Madison and other institutions, Schoville published his findings, January 19, in the journal Molecular Biology and Evolution.

vary in what pesticides they are resistant to and where they came from, which can give clues to the evolutionary history of the pest.

is that different populations are altering different parts of genes or different genes in the same pathway,” Schoville says.

Schoville’s team first sequenced the Colorado potato beetle’s genome in 2018. Since then, they’ve probed the genome to understand how the pest can overcome new insecticides as quickly as it does.

The scientists discovered that the different regional groups evolved so quickly because their parent populations already had the genetic resources necessary to overcome insecticides.

This similar, but not identical, pathway to resistance across different populations is known as repeated evolution.

To do so, they sequenced several dozen beetles from across the United States. These regional populations

“The genes that evolve are well known to be involved in insect resistance. But what’s interesting

GENETIC DIVERSITY The rapid evolution based on a wealth of existing genetic diversity is at odds with an older continued on pg. 36

BC�T June 35

Super Pest Sidesteps Attacks . . . continued from pg. 35

model of evolution that assumed rare mutations must slowly arise in a population.

While mutations do develop and could contribute to insecticide resistance, the Colorado potato beetle’s rapid response to new chemicals in different parts of the country can be explained only by its existing diversity.

The findings are unwelcome news for farmers and scientists hoping to turn the tide on the potato beetle’s attacks. It seems unlikely, Schoville says, that even a brand-new insecticide would keep the pest in check for long.

But armed with the knowledge of how the Colorado potato beetle has sidestepped our attacks, future research might help produce creative strategies to keep pace with this nemesis.

“More sophisticated models might help us learn how different management techniques affect the beetle’s evolution. That might allow us to change our management

The Colorado potato beetle’s rapid spread, hardiness, and recognizable tiger-like stripes have caught global attention since it began infesting potatoes in the 1800’s. Photo courtesy of Zach Cohen

style to slow it down,” Schoville concludes.

This work was supported in part by the U.S. Department of Agriculture

(grants 2015-67030- 23495 and 58-5090-7-073) and two Hatch Awards (Grants WIS02004 and VTH02010).

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WPIB Focus Lin Song Receives Wisconsin Distinguished Graduate Fellowship A major part of her thesis research has been to develop partially inbred lines of potato The Wisconsin College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS) has selected the 2022-’23 graduate fellowship recipients.

The college would like to thank the donors for making these awards possible and the selection committees that reviewed the nominations.

The Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association established the Wisconsin Potato Industry Board (WPIB) Wisconsin Distinguished Graduate Fellowship to support a graduate student who demonstrates excellence in research in the areas of groundwater resources research or potato research.

The recipient of the 2022-’23 award is Lin Song, University of Wisconsin (UW)-Madison Plant Breeding & Plant Genetics program. Song’s major advisor is Dr. Jeff Endelman, Department of Horticulture.

diploid potato breeding and very deserving of this award.”

The estate of Elsa Thomsen established the Louis and Elsa Thomsen Wisconsin Distinguished Graduate Fellowships to support graduate students who demonstrate excellence in research.

Three fellowships are awarded for 2022-’23. The recipients include: • Rafael Reis Domingues, Endocrinology & Reproductive Physiology program, major advisors – Laura Hernandez and Milo Wiltbank, Department of Animal & Dairy Sciences • Y uchi Ma, Biological Systems Engineering graduate program, major advisor – Zhou Zhang, Department of Biological

STRONG SKILLS “Lin has demonstrated strong skills in field, greenhouse, and laboratory research during her graduate studies,” Endelman says. “A major part of her thesis research has been to develop partially inbred lines of potato.”

“Lin has a real passion for potato breeding and genetics,” Endelman concludes. “She is a trailblazer in

Systems Engineering • Malia Martin, Animal & Dairy Sciences graduate program, major advisors – Heather White and Kent Weigel, Department of Animal & Dairy Sciences The estate of Richard M. Heins, an alumnus of UW-Madison and a CALS Board of Visitors member from 1996-1999, established the Richard M. Heins Wisconsin Distinguished continued on pg. 38

How high performers perform higher. ©2022 CliftonLarsonAllen LLP

“In both 2020 and 2021, Lin managed large field experiments at the Hancock Agricultural Research Station, including planting, harvest, and post-harvest measurements of fry quality and tuber dormancy,” he adds.

Wisconsin Distinguished Graduate Fellowship award winner Lin Song managed large field experiments at the Hancock Agricultural Research Station, including planting, harvest, and post-harvest measurements of fry quality and tuber dormancy.

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BC�T June 37

WPIB Focus . . .

continued from pg. 37

Graduate Fellowship to support graduate students who demonstrate excellence in research.

The recipient of the 2022-’23 award is Weizheng Wang, Biological Systems Engineering graduate program.

Wang’s major advisor is Sundaram Gunasekaran, Department of

Biological Systems Engineering.

The Senator Robert Caldwell Fellowship in Agricultural and Life Sciences was established by Grace Caldwell Hopkins to support graduate research on behalf of her father, Sen. Robert Caldwell.

The recipient of the 2022-’23 award is Sena Field, Endocrinology & Reproductive Physiology program.

Sena’s major advisor is Jimena Laporta Sanchis, Department of Animal & Dairy Sciences.

Congratulations to all recipients of these prestigious CALS awards.

Wisconsin Potato Industry Board Election Open DATCP has certified three nominees who are eligible to be elected to WPIB The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) has certified three nominees who are eligible to be elected to the Wisconsin Potato Industry Board.

Candidates were nominated during the period that ended April 1, 2022.

Potato growers will have until June 15, 2022, to vote on the following candidates: At-Large Nominee: Andrew Diercks, Coloma State-wide District 1 Nominee: Keith Wolter, Antigo Ashland, Barron, Bayfield, Brown, Burnett, Chippewa, Clark, Door, Douglas, Dunn, Eau Claire, Florence, Forest, Iron, Kewaunee, Langlade, Lincoln, Marinette,

Menominee, Oconto, Oneida, Pepin, Pierce, Polk, Price, Rusk, Sawyer, St. Croix, Taylor, Vilas, and Washburn counties.

or mailed to WI DATCP, Marketing Order Program, P.O. Box 8911, Madison, WI 53708 and postmarked on or before June 15, 2022.

District 2 Nominee: John Fenske, Coloma

Elected producers will serve threeyear terms beginning July 1, 2022, and ending June 30, 2025.

Marathon, Outagamie, Portage, Shawano, Waupaca, and Waushara counties.

DATCP mailed ballots to eligible potato growers the week of May 15, 2022. Growers who have not received a ballot can request one by contacting DATCP Market Orders Program Coordinator Debbie Gegare at 608-224-5116 or debbie.gegare@ wisconsin.gov.

Eligible growers can vote for the candidate in their respective district or write in other eligible producers.

Completed ballots must be emailed

About the Wisconsin Potato Industry Board The Wisconsin Potato Industry Board is composed of nine producers in three districts across the state, with one at-large member elected every third year.

The Board oversees the collection and use of approximately $1.7 million in assessment fees paid by Wisconsin potato growers. This funding is used to support the potato industry through research, education, and promotion of Wisconsin-grown potatoes.

DATCP administers elections for Wisconsin commodity marketing boards. To learn more about market order boards, visit https://datcp.wi.gov/Pages/About_Us/ MarketingBoards.aspx.

Wisconsin Potato Assessment Collections: Two-Year Comparison Month

Jul-20

Aug-20

Sep-20

Oct-20

Nov-20

Dec-20

Jan-21

Feb-21

Mar-21

Apr-21

May-21

Jun-21

Year-to-Date

CWT

1,267,472.18

1,275,285.84

1,290,414.89

2,235,567.48

2,498,333.04

1,787,069.62

2,103,473.68

1,593,614.79

2,236,633.70

2,193,682.11

18,481,547.33

Assessment

$101,400.66

$102,092.25

$103,233.20

$178,773.99

$199,895.60

$143,001.23

$168,209.03

$127,430.28

$179,000.53

$175,561.74

$1,478,598.51

Aug-21

Sep-21

Oct-21

Nov-21

Dec-21

Jan-22

Feb-22

Mar-22

Apr-22

Month

Jul-21

May-22

Jun-22

Year-to-Date

CWT

1,292,191.75

981,540.84

933,052.68

3,515,638.42

2,529,632.08

2,033,264.21

1,948,049.95

1,869,405.13

1,867,240.42

2,256,490.25

19,226,505.73

Assessment

$103,342.07

$78,594.28

$74,682.23

$281,175.63

$200,944.23

$162,677.29

$157,293.40

$149,552.31

$149,347.94

$180,586.95

$1,538,196.33

38 BC�T June

Potatoes USA News Potatoes USA Elects 2022-’23 Leadership Potatoes USA, the marketing and promotion board for the potato industry, elected new leadership during its Annual Meeting on March 9, 2022. The newly elected chairman and Executive Committee will lead the Board through 2022-2023.

Jason Davenport of Bakersfield, California, was elected as Chairman of the Board. This marks Davenport’s sixth year on the Board and as a member of the Executive Committee.

He has served as co-chair of the International Marketing, Industry Outreach and Domestic Marketing committees, as well as chair of the Finance and Policy Committee for two consecutive years.

Davenport, a fifth-generation farmer, started Allied Potato, Inc. 15 years ago in California, and has since continued on pg. 40

The newly elected Potatoes USA Executive Committee includes, back row, left to right, CEO Blair Richardson; Steve Elfering of Idaho Falls, Idaho; Mike Carter, Rosholt, Wisconsin; Travis Meacham of Moses Lake, Washington; and Jaren Raybould, Saint Anthony, Idaho. In the front row, left to right, are Jared Smith of Alamosa, Colorado; Leah Halverson, Grand Forks, North Dakota; Jason Davenport of Bakersfield, California; Shelley Olsen, Othello, Washington; Mike Larsen of Declo, Idaho; and Jennifer Gogan, Houlton, Maine. Jeff Jennings of Camden, North Carolina, is not pictured.

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BC�T June 39

Potatoes USA News . . . continued from pg. 39

expanded his farming operations to Washington, Oregon, Colorado and internationally.

Allied Potatoes’ major products are grown for the chip-stock, organic, seed, frozen, and fresh-cut French fry markets.

In addition to leading the Potatoes

USA Board, Davenport is involved in the California Research-Advisory Board, Northwest Seaport Alliance Port Taskforce, the Farm Bureau, Western Growers, and Life Pioneer’s CEO group.

aspects of working in the potato industry and has loved the opportunity to grow his involvement and witness the impact he makes, particularly with international endeavors.

MAKING AN IMPACT Davenport thoroughly enjoys and appreciates the many different

He brings his own distinctive knowledge and perspective to the table in helping develop new markets, overcoming challenges with trade, and building the necessary relationships alongside other prominent organizations such as the National Potato Council, state potato organizations, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service and Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.

“I am committed to driving forward the common goals and interests we all have for this industry—to grow the best potato for the world to enjoy and make sure people know potatoes are one of the most important staple foods,” Davenport said when asked what he wants for the industry.

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40 BC�T June

Chairman Davenport is a firm believer in strategy and vision and is ready to lead the Potatoes USA Board by looking at short-term and long-term goals to continue defending the potato.

In addition to Davenport, Potatoes USA’s 2022-’23 Executive Committee members include: • Jeff Jennings of Camden, North Carolina, chair of the Finance & Policy Committee • Leah Halverson of Grand Forks, North Dakota, co-chair of the Industry Outreach Committee • Shelley Olsen of Othello, Washington, co-chair of the Industry Outreach Committee • Jared Smith of Alamosa, Colorado, co-chair of the International Marketing Committee

• Mike Carter of Rosholt, Wisconsin, co-chair of the International Marketing Committee • Steve Elfering of Idaho Falls, Idaho, co-chair of the Domestic Marketing Committee • Travis Meacham of Moses Lake, Washington, co-chair of the Domestic Marketing Committee • Mike Larsen of Declo, Idaho, cochair of the Research Committee • Jennifer Gogan of Houlton, Maine, co-chair of the Research Committee • Jaren Raybould of Saint Anthony, Idaho, past chair As Davenport assumes responsibilities, he would like to share his gratitude for the industry.

He says, “Everyone has always backed me and supported me and my ideas, which has helped us grow as a community of industry leaders.

We all learn from each other as shifts are made to our growing practices, consumer trends evolve, and new technology is implemented.”

Davenport says he feels that the level of care the farmers in the industry take to keep surviving these moments in time creates the strong bond we have.

“I am looking forward to the next 10 to 20 years and seeing where we go as an industry,” he remarks. “From on-farm and shed automation to greener practices, it will be incredible to see what we adopt in the near and long terms and I’m sure it will be an interesting decade ahead of us.”

Outside of his profession, Davenport is enthusiastic about mountain adventures and family excursions.

He enjoys any chance he gets to hit the slopes and has made a family tradition out of going to the lake in Idaho and taking part in water-sport activities.

BC�T June 41

Eyes on Associates

By WPVGA Associate Division President Julie Cartwright, Jay-Mar, Inc.

Greetings and happy June! The cold, wet, snowy start

to spring really put a crunch on timelines for fieldwork. Hopefully summer will be in a better mood!

At our WPVGA Associate Division meeting in April, we reviewed grant proposals that had been submitted in support of potato research and seed production.

As part of the submittal process, we ask that the applicants get multiple bids for their items, including at least one bid from an Associate Division member company. This is a great way to patronize our members whose generosity allows grants like these to be possible.

The Associate Division Board settled on awarding a total of $11,259.98 to be distributed as follows: • Hancock Agricultural Research Station is to receive $659.98 for the purchase of two wireless speaker and microphone sets for field days and other public events held there.

• Rhinelander Ag Research Station is awarded $5,000 toward the purchase of new gear boxes for their center pivot.

• The Wisconsin Seed Potato Certification Program is receiving $1,600 for the purchase of an 18inch soil moisture probe.

• Wisconsin Seed Potato Improvement Association is granted $4,000 to help offset travel expenses of Walt Stevenson and up to two other individuals to serve as representatives for the Wisconsin Seed Potato Industry at 2023 Potato Expo.

On April 30, I had the honor of attending a groundbreaking ceremony for the Food + Farm Exploration Center being built through funds raised by the Farming

Representing the Compass Insurance team during the 2021 Sporting Clays Shoot at Wausau Skeet & Trap Club are, from left to right, Perry Worzella, Curtis Meister, Justin Yach, Trina Yach, Erin Meister, and Scott Worzella. A WPVGA Associate Division fundraiser, the 3rd Annual Sporting Clays event is scheduled for October 20, 2022, at the Wausau Skeet & Trap Club.

42 BC�T June

for the Future Foundation.

What an exciting event attended by people from all corners of the agriculture industry! The center will be such a fantastic tool to educate all ages on the wide-reaching influence of agriculture in our society and economy.

The grand opening of the Food + Farm Exploration Center will be in about a year. Its primary purpose will be to educate the public on where their food comes from and the diversity of careers available in agriculture.

Currently, agriculture employs one out of every nine people in the workforce. As of the groundbreaking ceremony, upwards of $20 million has been raised for this project, and the public phase of fundraising has only just begun. Late last year, the Associate Division contributed $40,000 to this project!

Please see complete coverage of the Food + Farm Exploration Center groundbreaking ceremony in this issue.

The Associate Division is so proud to be able offer financial support to our research stations, the Farming for the Future Foundation, educational scholarships, and other agricultural interests as they arise.

This is only possible through the generous participation of our Associate Division members at fundraising events held throughout the year like the upcoming ones listed below. Thank you so much!

• July 19, 2022: Putt-Tato Open at the Ridges Golf Course in Wisconsin Rapids; 9 a.m. registration, 10 a.m. shotgun start • October 20: 3rd Annual Sporting Clays event at Wausau Skeet & Trap Club in Brokaw In this growing season, we have and will continue to face weather, economic, supply, and labor challenges. Despite the struggles, we should never lose sight of the value

The Putt-Tato Open will be held at the Ridges Golf Course, Wisconsin Rapids, on July 19, 2022. Playing for Nutrien Ag Solutions at the 2021 Putt-Tato Open are, from left to right, Jim Beach, Sara Hildebrandt, Bryan Chilewski and Chad Taylor.

that agriculture brings to society.

In the words of Bob Dole, “I hate when a farmer says, ‘I’m just a farmer.’ This farmer doesn’t realize what he does for America, what he does for the economy and what he

does for his family. Farmers are very important.”

Julie Cartwright

WPVGA Associate Division President

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BC�T June 43

Expired Tax Breaks Could Alter Your 2022 Strategy Forty tax provisions affecting individuals and businesses expired in 2021

By Bradley Boettcher, Olga Zarney, and Jennifer Rohen, CliftonLarsonAllen As your organization embarks on asset acquisition, financing, employment, operational, and other organizational decisions this year, bear in mind some major tax changes for 2022.

Many provisions expired in 2021, which could have a significant impact on your tax plan.

expired in 2021. Six ceased after the third quarter and 34 elapsed at the end of the year.

So, what changed in popular business tax breaks? Forty tax provisions affecting individuals and businesses

Some provisions were related to pandemic relief and arguably intended to expire at some point, while others are on the perpetual list of “tax extenders” that Congress has not yet made permanent.

Congress might decide to extend all, some, or none of the provisions retroactively, but this legislative practice can create uncertainty, anxiety, and confusion for business owners who want to make taxinformed decisions.

Above: Business tax planning is essential.

Given the uncertainty surrounding expired and expiring tax provisions, business owners could be forced to make organizational decisions this year without knowing the full tax effect of them.

Left: Congress might decide to extend all, some, or none of the provisions retroactively, but this legislative practice can create uncertainty, anxiety, and confusion for business owners who want to make taxinformed decisions.

44 BC�T June

Review and discuss the full list of expired provisions with your tax advisor. Meanwhile, we’ve highlighted popular business tax breaks that expired in 2021 and the potential impact on your organization.

Limitations on business interest are reverting. The first provision relates to the ability of certain businesses to deduct their interest expense based on gross receipts or classification as a “tax shelter,” for which small businesses can easily fall victim without even realizing it.

AVOID TAX SHELTER TRAP Taxpayers with losses should consult with their tax advisors and review their situations carefully to help avoid the tax shelter trap that could subject them to the Section 163(j) limitation.

The Section 163(j) business interest limitation was part of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (TCJA), enacted for tax years beginning in 2018.

“Work closely with your advisors to understand how these changes could affect your taxes and related cash flow over the next few years.”

– Bradley Boettcher, Olga Zarney, and Jennifer Rohen, CliftonLarsonAllen

In response to the COVID-19 crisis, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) temporarily eased the burden of this limitation.

Taxpayers could elect to use a 50 percent adjusted taxable income (ATI) limitation for 2019 and 2020 (rather than the normal 30 percent) and use their 2019 ATI to compute 2020 business interest limitation.

The CARES Act relief allowed many businesses to deduct their interest

in full.

For 2022, the business interest limitation is back to 30 percent of ATI. Depreciation, amortization, and depletion are no longer added back in computing ATI after the 2021 tax year.

These changes could limit your deduction for business interest even if you haven’t previously been subject to this limitation. continued on pg. 46

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Expired Tax Breaks Could Alter Your 2022 Strategy . . . continued from pg. 45

Employee retention credit (ERC) is still available. Although the ERC has yet to be extended into 2022, employers who met the eligibility requirements have three years from the time the original payroll tax return filings were due to amend those returns to claim the credit.

To qualify, an organization’s activities must have been fully or partially suspended due to a government order. This means that a signed government order must have affected at least 10 percent of the receipts or employee service hours as compared to the same period in 2019.

DECLINE IN GROSS RECEIPTS Alternatively, if an organization experienced a significant decline in gross receipts in any quarter in 2020, or for the first three quarters of 2021 compared to the same quarter in 2019, the company might also qualify.

Consider multiple scenarios in any analysis, particularly if your business is contemplating major asset acquisitions, debt, or operational changes.

This means that, in 2020, there must have been a greater than 50 percent reduction in receipts compared to the same quarter in 2019.

In 2021, an organization is eligible in any quarter where the reduction in receipts is greater than 20 percent compared to the same quarter in 2019.

The current remaining opportunity for the third and fourth quarters of 2021 is for a company to qualify as a “recovery start-up business.”

This means that if a business began after February 15, 2020, and had less than $1 million in gross receipts in each of the prior three years, it could qualify for up to $50,000 in credit for each of those quarters.

In any year a credit is claimed, the wage expense for that year must be reduced by the credit amount.

Employers who amend 2020 payroll tax returns to claim the credit must be prepared to amend their 2020 federal income tax returns as well.

The same applies for employers who claim the 2021 credit.

BONUS DEPRECIATION Bonus depreciation is phasing out.

Although there were no changes to the bonus depreciation rules for 2022 (so technically, it’s not an expired

46 BC�T June

provision), consider upcoming changes for 2023.

The TCJA increased the first-year bonus deprecation to 100 percent for assets placed in service after September 27, 2017, through January 1, 2023.

The bonus depreciation rate will be limited to 80 percent in 2023, 60 percent in 2024, 40 percent limitation in 2025, and 20 percent in 2026.

Unless Congress changes the law, property acquired in 2027 will not be eligible for bonus depreciation.

For property with a longer production period and for certain aircraft, the phase-down is 80 percent in 2024, 60 percent in 2025, 40 percent in 2026, and 20 percent in 2027.

The scheduled reduction in benefit might encourage owners to accelerate asset purchases into this year.

Research and development costs must be amortized. For many years, companies have been allowed to deduct research and development (R&D) costs in the year the costs are incurred.

Most recently, under TCJA, the expensing of R&D costs was allowed through December 31, 2021.

However, beginning in January 2022, that provision has expired, and companies must now amortize their R&D costs over a five-year period, beginning in the midpoint of their tax year.

R&D EXPENSING For example, Company A incurs $100,000 of R&D costs in December 2021 and Company B incurs the same $100,000 of R&D costs in January 2022. Because the costs are incurred before January 2022, Company A is allowed a deduction of $100,000 on its income tax return for tax year 2021.

Company B, however, is only allowed a deduction of $10,000 on its income

tax return for tax year 2022 (the costs are amortized over five years, but the amortization begins with the midpoint of the year, so only half a year of amortization is allowed).

With the change to amortizing R&D costs, companies might lose their incentive to invest in R&D projects and will likely look elsewhere when developing income tax planning strategies.

Business tax planning is essential.

Given the uncertainty surrounding expired and expiring tax provisions, business owners could be forced to make organizational decisions this year without knowing the full tax effect of them.

Work closely with your advisors to understand how these changes could affect your taxes and related cash flow over the next few years.

Consider multiple scenarios in any analysis, particularly if your business

is contemplating major asset acquisitions, debt, or operational changes.

As tax laws continue to expire, extend, and evolve, both shortand long-term planning, as well as flexibility, become crucial.

Proactive, personalized planning is the key to helping you navigate your tax liabilities and identify new opportunities for savings. Our tax professionals can help you evaluate your options and make informed decisions.

For more information on business tax breaks in Wisconsin, contact Jim Halvorsen at jim.halvorsen@ CLAconnect.com or 715-221-3037.

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

CLAconnect.com.

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New Products John Deere Introduces 6120EH Tractor

High clearance protects yields and quality in high-value crops like potatoes and vegetables John Deere has added the 6120EH Tractor to its lineup to meet the needs of high-value crop growers who require high clearance and reduced speeds to match the speed of field workers.

“High-value crop production requires the ability to pull implements and conduct harvesting operations over rows of varying widths without damaging the crop,” says Dennis Ogle, marketing manager for John Deere.

“The 6120EH provides up to 30 inches of drawbar ground clearance to avoid damaging the plant or roots during applications such as cultivating, spraying, transplanting, and harvest,” Ogle notes.

In addition, specialty operations that include vegetables and fruit farms demand extra-slow tractor speeds that traditional transmissions may not be able to attain.

The creeper transmission allows for speeds as low as .14 miles per hour (mph) to accommodate hand harvesting operations.

• Multiple tread spacings of 72, 76, 80 or 84 inches • Creeper transmission minimum of .14 mph at rated engine speed • LED lighting package

New features on the 6120EH include:

• Precision ag components (John Deere AutoTrac™ Universal 300, 4240 Universal Display, StarFire™ 6000 Receiver and JDLink™)

• High-crop axle maximum clearance of 33 inches

“Input costs for growing high-value

crops continue to rise each year,” Ogle remarks. “The 6120EH, with its high clearance, helps protect crops and maximize production and quality on every acre, while also improving harvesting efficiency.”

The 6120EH is now available for ordering.

• Less drawbar and draft link option

For more information, visit https:// www.deere.com/en/, or your local John Deere dealer.

LET’S MAKE YOUR PLANS A REALITY, TOGETHER.

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Sr. Focused Lending Specialist (608) 370-6792

Insurance Officer (608) 370-6825

Compeer Financial can provide assistance with specialty crop financing and operations based on historical data and industry expertise. Compeer Financial does not provide legal advice or certified financial planning. Compeer Financial, ACA is an Equal Credit Opportunity Lender and Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer. © 2022 All rights reserved.

48 BC�T June

Archive Combats Major Pathogens

Syngenta’s new fungicide protects potatoes against silver scurf and Fusarium dry rot Potato growers facing post-harvest diseases now have a new option for protection during storage. Archive® fungicide from Syngenta preserves potato quality in post-harvest storage.

“Archive is a powerful pre-mix fungicide that will help growers combat the major storage pathogens that threaten their crop,” says Heather Ambuehl, post-harvest lead at Syngenta. “This post-harvest tool is one that growers can incorporate into their decay management strategy.”

The broad-spectrum fungicide, now registered for use in potatoes, combines two unique modes of action for more broad-spectrum disease control and built-in resistance management.

Fludioxonil and azoxystrobin fungicides deliver proven, robust protection against silver scurf and Fusarium dry rot diseases, pathogens that are of particular concern while potatoes are in storage.

Fludioxonil (FRAC Group 12) is a phenylpyrrole fungicide that provides proven control of some of the most difficult-to-treat storage diseases, such as Fusarium dry rot.

Azoxystrobin, a Qol fungicide (FRAC 11) effective against all four classes of fungi, brings another mode of action against Fusarium and provides control of silver scurf.

Join the conversation online, connect with Syngenta at www.Syngenta-us. com/social.

About Syngenta Syngenta Crop Protection and Syngenta Seeds are part of Syngenta Group, one of the world’s leading agriculture companies. Our ambition is to help safely feed the world while taking care of the planet.

We aim to improve the sustainability, quality, and safety of agriculture with world-class science and innovative crop solutions. Our technologies enable millions of farmers around the world to make better use of limited agricultural resources.

To learn more, visit www.syngenta. com and www.goodgrowthplan.com.

Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter. com/Syngenta, www.twitter.com/ SyngentaUS and on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/ syngenta.

Senior Agronomist/Field Department Manager Wanted Mortenson Bros. Farms, Inc. is a progressive agribusiness located in central Wisconsin specializing in the production of potato and vegetable crops. All of our crops are grown under center-pivot irrigation across more than 14,000 acres and growing.

Position Description:

This position will report directly to the owner, and will direct and manage the Agronomy and Irrigation departments.

spreading, ground spraying, aerial spraying, fertigation, and in-furrow;

Specific responsibilities will include:

• Direct irrigation staff on watering needs, maintenance, and fertilizer application;

• Supervise Agronomy and Irrigation Depts.

• Budget and coordinate fumigation;

• Crop planning and strategic management of field rotations;

• Assist in other operational areas as needed during planting and harvest seasons;

• Budget, procure, and handle fertilizer and chemicals;

• Manage multiple professional and general labor staff, provide guidance and mentoring to entry-level agronomists, and work alongside ownership and the Operations Manager.

• Plan and coordinate fertilizer and chemical applications including seed cutting, dry

Qualifications: • Agronomy degree or equivalent experience in production agriculture.

• Specific experience with potatoes and other vegetable crops such as carrots, beets, sweet

corn, green beans, and peas.

• Experience in upper management with demonstrated ability to work independently and within an executive management team.

Compensation & Benefits:

Mortenson Bros. Farms offers a highly competitive compensation package commensurate with experience. Benefits include group health insurance, dental/vision, SIMPLE IRA, vacation/holiday pay, and a company truck.

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO APPLY please email info@mortensonbros.com or call (715) 335-4912 BC�T June 49

Badger Beat Another Weed on the Move

Galinsoga management is increasingly essential for Wisconsin potato and vegetable production

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

While not a newcomer to the upper Midwest, in the past

year or so we’ve observed and heard many reports of another weed on the move in Wisconsin potato, vegetable and fruit production: galinsoga.

In some cases, growers have reported galinsoga infestations so severe that they’ve had to abandon crops.

If you’re lucky enough not to be personally acquainted yet with this highly problematic weed, great, but now is the time to get to

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THE VOICE OF

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05 | MAY 2022

TRY & VEGETABLE INDUS

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Shown here at the 2021 Hancock Agricultural Research Station Field Day, Jed Colquhoun, professor and extension specialist, UWMadison Department of Horticulture, says growers should focus on depleting the galinsoga weed seedbank without allowing more seeds to be produced.

know more about it so that early infestations can be controlled before they become widespread.

America, and Africa.

Galinsoga is a native South American herb and is considered culturally important to many communities throughout South America, Central

Some use it as a food source, as it has exceptionally high mineral concentrations. For others, its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory

Badger Common’Tater

THE VOICE OF THE WISCONSIN POTATO & VEGETABLE INDUSTRY

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properties have made it useful as a traditional herbal drug.3 Sounds like a beneficial plant to have growing in your backyard, right?

Wisconsin farmers are likely to disagree. Galinsoga has become an increasingly common and challenging weed since it arrived in the United States as an invasive species.

The weed has struggled to compete in grasslands and natural areas, but thrives in short-statured, slowgrowing, and late-planted row crops.

Reports suggest galinsoga infestations reduce vegetable yield up to 50 percent, depending on crop type, while also increasing production costs through significant weeding efforts and hindered harvest operations.3 In a survey of European organic farmers, 25 percent indicated that galinsoga was a highly problematic species and only 47 percent of farmers were able to reduce its populations.4

GALINSOGA SPECIES Two galinsoga species can be found in Wisconsin. Galinsoga parviflora, commonly known as small flower galinsoga, grows up to 2 feet tall.

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Above: Galinsoga species can go from emergence to flowering in as few as eight weeks. Photo courtesy Rodrigo Werle continued on pg. 52

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Badger Beat . . .

continued from pg. 51

Its stem is long, thin, and branched.

Its leaves are broad, and its flower heads are made up of dozens of tiny yellow flowers and have small white petals.

Small flower galinsoga and its related species, hairy galinsoga (Galinsoga quadriradiata), are easily confused.

Small flower galinsoga has a smooth or sparsely hairy stem compared to the moderately or densely hairy stem of hairy galinsoga.

Small flower galinsoga also has narrower leaves than hairy galinsoga.

Small flower galinsoga and hairy galinsoga closely share biological characteristics and can be managed similarly.

Galinsoga’s biology makes it a

competitive agricultural weed. It emerges early in the growing season and flowers within 8 to 9 weeks.

Each plant produces thousands of seeds, allowing for quickly compounding growth of the weed seedbank when plants are allowed to flower. Shed seeds lack dormancy and new generations of galinsoga constantly emerge throughout the growing season.

This dramatically rapid and abundant seed production system allows for severe galinsoga infestations only a few years after the first colonizing plant is established in a field.

Researchers have reported finding 5,500 galinsoga seedlings/square meter (m2) in recently infested fields,

and seedbanks up to 20,000 seeds/ m2 in chronically infested fields.2, 4 High weed populations also harbor unwanted disease and pests, and galinsoga is no different. Galinsoga serves as a host for cucumber mosaic virus, curly top, aster yellow virus, and spotted wilt virus. Additionally, many species of thrips, aphids, and caterpillars are associated with the plant.1 FIGHTING GALINSOGA No clear management strategy has been established to decrease galinsoga populations. Herbicides have shown limited efficacy and are not an appropriate tool for organic vegetable crops.

Pre-emergent residual herbicides

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don’t last long enough to control the several generations of galinsoga that occur each season, and most postemergent options are ineffective.

Aggressive early season weed management decreases competition when crops are most vulnerable but allows late-emerging weeds to produce seed and build the soil seedbank.

Constant tillage operations to destroy galinsoga seedlings can be detrimental to soil health. So, how can growers fight galinsoga?

Growers should focus on depleting the weed seedbank without allowing more weed seeds to be produced.

Germination, decay, and seed predation are the primary sources

of weed seedbank reduction, with germination accounting for over half of weed seedbank loss.5 Germination is often triggered by soil disturbance since tillage exposes weed seeds to higher temperature and light levels. Growers can deplete the seedbank through weed seed germination in two ways: cover cropping and false seedbeds.

Seeding a cover crop in early spring or after fall harvest can suppress galinsoga at several stages.

Initial seedbed preparation will disturb the soil enough to terminate any early seedlings while also stimulating more weed germination.

COVER CROPS As the cover crop establishes, it will

choke out any emerging seedlings and prevent weed seed production.

Subsequent destruction and incorporation of cover crops will terminate any enduring weeds.

Finally, the debris left behind after the cover crop is destroyed will help hinder further weed emergence.

Cover crops also provide habitat for potential weed seed predators, further depleting the seedbank.

A false seedbed approach afterwards will also deplete the weed seedbank.

Before planting, a seedbed is prepared, stimulating weed seed germination through soil disturbance.

Once weed seedlings emerge, they are killed thermally through flaming continued on pg. 54

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Dry fertilizer is one of the largest investments made in a grower’s production program each season. Unfortunately, with the dynamics of our soils, dry fertilizer is highly inefficient, so the investment is often unpredictable. Give yourself the confidence that your dry fertilizer program is as efficient as possible with Titan XC, by releasing more nutrition and keeping it available for your demanding crop. Hundreds of trials across the US give us the confidence that Titan XC can work for you!

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Badger Beat . . .

continued from pg. 53

or steaming, with non-residual herbicides or mechanically by shallow tillage.

possible to maintain soil health.

Once weed seedlings are killed, growers can plant under the assumption that most of the seeds in the germination zone have been destroyed.

Because galinsoga seeds are extremely small and rely on light to produce successful seedlings, germination is best while they are sitting on top of the soil surface.

Germination rate drops to nearly 0 percent when seeds are buried at only .5-centimeter depths.6

Decay is also a factor in weed seedbank depletion, though less significant than germination. Decay happens when a seed does not experience favorable conditions for germination for an extended period and becomes unviable or rots.

BURYING SEEDS Though it would be easy to bury seeds with shallow tillage, growers risk bringing them to the surface.

Instead, deep tillage every few years is more likely to keep seeds suppressed.

Decay can be manipulated by burying weed seeds deep enough that they cannot successfully germinate due to low temperature and light conditions.

Two years of dormancy is enough for 78-100 percent of galinsoga seeds to lose viability, but deep tillage events should occur as infrequently as

Depleting the weed seedbank is a practical and important aspect of management. However, efforts are insignificant if galinsoga populations are not controlled during the growing season.

Early-season management can alleviate weeding efforts later in the year but are unlikely to be the comprehensive solution to galinsoga infestations. Thousands of viable weed seeds can be destroyed in the spring but allowing only a few dozen weeds to flower in the fall defeats any long-term benefits of management efforts.

Galinsoga is only one of many weeds that plague Wisconsin farmers, and

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like others, there is no quick band-aid solution.

Investigating and testing management strategies for one tenacious weed will hopefully bring solutions for other species with similar biology. To do this effectively, growers and researchers need to consider long-term and diversified solutions to beat weeds.

4. De Cauwer et al. (2021) Effects of soil and crop management practices and pedo-hydrological conditions on the seedbank size of Galinsoga spp. in organic vegetable fields. Weed Research 61, 55-67.

5. Gallandt (2006) How can we target

the weed seedbank? Weed Science 54(3), 588-596.

6. Ivany and Sweet (1973) Germination, Growth, Development, and Control of Galinsoga. Weed Science 21(1), 41-45.

In response, we’re initiating research this season on weed management strategies to gain season-long galinsoga control.

Management efforts will be layered during the growing season and include deep tillage to bury seed, an allelopathic yellow mustard spring cover crop and the false seedbed technique for vegetables where planting can be delayed a few weeks while still producing an economically viable crop (such as snap beans).

Sources: 1. Batra (1979) Insects Associated with Weeds of the Northeastern United States: Quickweeds, Galinsoga ciliate and G. parviflora (Compositae). Environmental Entomology 8, 1078-1082.

2. Brown and Gallandt (2019) To each their own: case studies of four successful, small-scale organic vegetable farmers with distinct weed management strategies.

Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems 34, 373–379 3. Damalas (2008) Distribution, biology, and agricultural importance of Galinsoga parviflora (Asteraceae). Weed Biology and Management 8, 147-153.

BC�T June 55

Marketplace

By Dana Rady, WPVGA Director of Promotions and Consumer Education

WPVGA Taking Nominations for Wisconsin Representatives on Potatoes USA Board Do you like to travel and get involved on a deeper level in the potato industry? Then consider representing Wisconsin on the Potatoes USA Board, the national marketing organization for potatoes.

Nominations are now open for Wisconsin’s seats on the Board.

Nominees must be potato growers within Wisconsin who are in good standing.

Those serving on the Board travel to the Potatoes USA Annual Meeting each year in March and represent/ communicate the interests of their region to the Board while also bringing back communications to their respective communities.

Additional Board Member Guidelines are as follows: • Be active in the potato-farming

community • Be visible through community work, and participate in local government, cultural or business affairs— someone who is a leader • Be willing to represent and communicate with his/her constituents on a regular basis • Take the time to actively support Potatoes USA programs in his/her area • Speak to grower groups, newspaper reporters and interested parties about Potatoes USA programs, relating the value of the Board to all growers, how the 3-cent per hundredweight assessment is invested and ask for input from those interested in becoming active in the promotion of potatoes.

To follow is the list of current Wisconsin Potatoes USA

SUPPORT YOUR FELLOW WPVGA MEMBERS When you need goods or services, please consider asking our Associate Division Members for quotes or explore what they have to offer. Together, we make a strong organization and appreciate how wonderful we are as a group.

56 BC�T June

Representatives.

- Erin Baginski, Baginski Farms (2nd term complete) – seeking nominations - Keith Wolter, Hyland Lakes Spuds (2nd term complete) – seeking nominations - Mike Carter, Bushmans’ Inc. (running for 2nd term) - Kevin Schleicher, Wysocki Family Farms (running for 2nd term) - Josh Knights, Heartland Farms (running for 2nd term) - Wendy Dykstra, Alsum Farms (1st term not yet complete; up for re-election in 2024) Potatoes USA Board representatives can serve two consecutive threeyear terms. In this election period, Wisconsin is looking for 2 nominees.

Both Erin Baginski and Keith Wolter have completed their second threeyear terms and will need to be replaced on the Board.

Mike Carter, Josh Knights and Kevin Schleicher have each completed their first three-year term and are running for a second. Wendy Dykstra’s first term will be complete in 2024.

Please email Dana Rady, drady@ wisconsinpotatoes.com, with the names of those you wish to nominate

by Friday, June 24, 2022, for them to appear on the ballot. Ballots will be sent in early July with the process complete by July 29.

Ali's Kitchen Dress up a Simple Salad Crispy seasoned potato croutons add zest to greens, tomatoes, and cucumbers Column and photos by Ali Carter, Wisconsin Potato Growers Auxiliary I recently prepared a steak salad dinner for me and my husband, Mike.

Tender steak on top of crisp greens, fresh tomatoes and sliced cucumbers were all topped with a tangy blue cheese dressing. It was delicious, but what really made this salad fabulous were the potato croutons!

DIRECTIONS Boil the washed, whole potatoes in a large pot of water for 20 minutes, or until they are easily pierced by a fork.

Remove from the water and dice the boiled potatoes into 1-inch chunks.

Toss with oil.

Combine the remaining ingredients and gently toss the potatoes in this seasoning mixture.

Arrange the potatoes on a large, greased baking sheet.

Bake at 425 degrees for 40 minutes.

Enjoy! continued on pg. 58

When you’re a member,

YOU’RE AN OWNER Just as you own your business and reap the rewards of your hard work, member-owners benefit from the credit union’s financial growth and success.

INGREDIENTS:

n Loan rebate program – CoVantage Offers: Returning $19.5 million n Better business loan rates to account holders in n Lower business fees the past five years. n Higher deposit rates

Seasoned Potato Croutons

Providing value to the people and businesses – the owners of the credit union – who rely on CoVantage for their financial needs.

Call our local commercial lenders at 800-398-2667 ext. 1125 to discuss possible options in helping your business succeed!

• 2 medium size potatoes (yellows or russets work best here) • 1/4 cup oil • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour • 1/2 cup cornstarch • 2 tsp. paprika • 1 tsp. ground black pepper • 1 tsp. salt

BC�T June 57

Ali's Kitchen. . .

Advertisers Index

continued from pg. 57

AgCountry Farm Credit Services....40 Big Iron Equipment........................11 Binfront Barriers............................58 BTU Ventilation..............................31 CliftonLarsonAllen.........................37 Compeer Financial.........................48 Corteva AgriScience.......................39 CoVantage Credit Union................57 Fairchild Equipment.......................14 Heartland AG Systems.............13, 54 Jay-Mar, Inc....................................47 John Miller Farms..........................25 J.W. Mattek & Sons, Inc.................19 Lockwood Mfg...............................41 Mid-State Truck Service.................10 Mortenson Bros. Farms.................49 Nelson’s Vegetable Storage Systems Inc.......................9 Nichino America..............................2 Noffsinger Mfg. .............................46

BINFRONT BARRIERS …a better barrier

North Central Irrigation.................45 Nutrien Ag Solutions.....................53 Oasis Irrigation..............................60 Omex USA......................................36 Riesterer & Schnell........................27 Roberts Irrigation ..........................21

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BULK STORAGE Barrier system walls off potatoes in bulk storage.

Ruder Ware...................................52 Rural Mutual Insurance.................17 Sand County Equipment..................3 Schroeder Brothers Farms...............7

• Interlocking Design for Stacking • Vertical Edges Prevent Gaps when Placed Together at Various Angles • Vertical Ribs Prevent Trapping of Dirt & Increase Wall Strength • Angled Barrier Ends Allow for 90-Degree Turns Using Three Barriers • Lightweight, Easy to Clean & Disinfect

Steffes Group.................................23

BinFronts can be placed in tight circumferences for corners or circles, eliminating the burden of ordering corner pieces.

WPVGA Putt-Tato Open.................59

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Ron’s Refrigeration........................33

Swiderski Equipment.......................5 T.I.P., Inc.........................................51 ThorPack, LLC................................43 Vantage North Central...................55 Volm Companies............................15 Warner & Warner Inc....................35 WPVGA Subscribers.......................50 WPVGA Support Our Members.....56 WSPIA............................................29

WPVGA Associate Division 22nd Annual Golf Outing & Barbeque

WPVGA Associate Division

The Ridges Golf Course Wisconsin Rapids, Tuesday, July 19, 2022 We will golf rain or shine!

REGISTRATION DEADLINE: July 1, 2022

The WPVGA Associate Division will host the 22nd Annual Golf Outing at The Ridges Golf Course in Wisconsin Rapids. The golf outing is followed by a splendid dinner barbeque and raffle prize drawings.

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

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

Tickets are required. ‘Barbeque only’ ticket price is $20/person.

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

GRAB ATTENTION!

SIGN UP TO BE A SPONSOR For more details call Julie Braun at 715-623-7683 or email jbraun@wisconsinpotatoes.com

REGISTRATION DEADLINE:

July 1, 2022

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

Group Leader Name: _____________________________

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

Company Name: _________________________________

❑ I wish to order _______ Barbeque Tickets at $20.00 per ticket.

Address: ________________________________________ City, State, Zip: __________________________________

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

My donation of $_________ is enclosed.

Phone: __________________________________________ These are the people in my group: 1. ______________________________________________

Golf Fee: Number of Golfers x $80

$_________

Barbeque Tickets: Number of Tickets x $20

$_________

+ Hole Sponsor/Donation

$_________

Total Amount Enclosed:

2. ______________________________________________

$_________

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

3. ______________________________________________

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

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

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