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POTATOES USA NEWS

POTATOES USA NEWS

Frank Wolosek Passes Away

Career involved brokerage/sales and marketing for Prairie Star Ranch

Franklin M. Wolosek, 68, of Stevens Point, Wisconsin, passed away surrounded by his loving family on May 5, 2021. Frank was born on October 30, 1952, in Stevens Point to Frank and Mary (Klopotek) Wolosek. He was a member of the last graduating class from P.J. Jacobs High School, in 1971, and then received his degree in agriculture from Mid-State Technical College-Marshfield Campus. Frank married Colleen Dorothy Doan on October 27, 1984, at St. Bronislava Catholic Parish, in Plover. Working in brokerage/sales and marketing for Prairie Star Ranch, Inc., Frank was active in the Cody Winchester Club, National Rifle Association, FFA and 4-H, and a member of St. Bronislava Catholic Parish. Frank earned the national farmer degree from the FFA for showing potatoes, including at county fairs and potato shows. He attended gun shows, was a history buff, enjoyed hunting and was an avid fisherman.

A FRIEND TO ALL

Frank enjoyed small game hunting with his nephews growing up and shooting guns between chores. He was a very kind and friendly man and considered everyone his friends. He is survived by his wife, Colleen; daughter, Amy (Patrick Shibilski) Doan; grandchildren, Sierra Vuorinen (Sam Hess) of Stevens Point, Jordyn Grezenski (Stryder Stroik) of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Noah F. Grezenski of Stevens Point and Alexandria K. Shibilski of Plover; brothers, Connie (Mary) and Ronnie (Barb); sister, Lynn Brooks; brothersin-law, Allen Slack and Jim Fischer of Plainfield; sisters-in-law, Margaret Wolosek, Debra Arnold of Stevens Point, Judy (Bob) Helgemo of Plover, Barbara Griffin of Plover and Eileen Slack of Page, North Dakota. Frank is further survived by special friends, Tim Leege, Mick Kolpack, Leo Gumney, “Spudy” Jim Kapusta, John LaBarge and Lonnie Weigel; and special nephews, Terry Wolosek and Jason Helgemo. He is also further survived by many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews, friends and many business friends. Frank was preceded in death by his parents; mother and father-in-law, Keith and Mary Slack; brothers, Sylvester and Virgean; sister, Laverne G. Walczak; sister-in-law, Mary Lou Wolosek; brother-in-law, Don Brooks; sisters-in-law, Bonnie Fischer, Pat Schultz and Sharon Nieman; brothers-in-law, Keith “Butch” Slack, Jr., Warren Kent “Skipper” Slack and Gene Griffin; niece, Sherry Houpt; and nephews, Kevin Moore, Larry Mielke and infant Dustin Slack. A celebration of life was held on June 12, 2021. Pictures, stories, food, flowers and plants were welcomed at the celebration. A special thank you to the Portage County Sheriff’s Office, the paramedics and Roxanne at HermanTaylor Funeral Home. Herman-Taylor Funeral Home, Wisconsin Rapids, is honored to be assisting the Wolosek family. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Franklin M. Wolosek, please visit https://www. taylorfuneralhome.net/obituary/ Franklin-Wolosek/sympathy.

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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.

Franklin M. Wolosek October 30, 1952 – March 5, 2021

Ivan Wollenmann Joins Certis USA

Sales manager charged with advancing biologicals in the Midwest region

Since the early 1990’s, Ivan Wollenmann has been working with growers, co-ops and input companies to match solutions to need. Certis USA announces that Wollenmann will be bringing that expertise to its team of experienced sales professionals as the new regional manager, Midwest. In that role, Wollenmann will be responsible for sales and marketing of the biopesticide leader’s extensive product line across midwestern states and into a diverse array of crop categories. “We are seeing a tremendous amount of growth opportunity for biologicals into crops that have previously relied on synthetic chemistries, and much of that trajectory falls in the Midwestern U.S.,” says Scott Peterson, national sales director, U.S. Ag. “Ivan’s vast network from his long career serving the input needs of growers will deliver a new set of solutions to these growers and continue serving the needs of our existing customers in the region,” Peterson surmises.

Wollenmann’s expertise was garnered through recent positions with SUL4RPLUS and KOCH Agronomic Services where he introduced the market to two new nitrogen stabilizer products. In positions with WinField United and LG Seeds, Wollenmann honed his skills in providing input solutions to growers and managing supply relationships with channel partners.

continued on pg. 48

Cormoran® Serious Insect Protection.

· Tackles most stages of insect pests · Two modes of action for an improved resistance management program · Long-lasting residual control for more than 14 days

ADAMA is a global leader in crop protection, providing solutions to farmers and customers to combat weeds, insects and disease, helping them grow. Ben Wright ADAMA Territory Sales Rep ben.wright@adama.com 317.619.6718

continued from pg. 47 “I have spent my career in input specialties and have watched as the biologicals industry has skyrocketed, thanks in part to the pioneering leadership of Certis USA,” Wollenmann says. “Being a part of that leadership now will give me more opportunity to help growers in the Midwest succeed in their businesses and livelihoods.” Customers and sales channel partners who are interested in connecting with Wollenmann can reach him at iwollenmann@certisusa.com. He is based in Noblesville, Indiana.

Ron Gall Passes On

Work with World Potato Congress helped promote research around the world

With heavy hearts, the World Potato Congress and International Potato Center (CIP) acknowledge the passing of Ron Gall, former director of the World Potato Congress (WPC). Gall was a friend to many at CIP and closely involved with its work as a partner. His work on the WPC helped to promote CIP research and programs around the world. Gall began his association with potatoes in New Zealand, where he held several posts in the country’s horticulture industry, including 22 years as a business manager for Horticulture New Zealand. He always devoted time and energy to serving on boards such as the New Zealand Vegetable & Potato Growers Federation, which he joined in 1991

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For more information Call 559-661-6138 or Visit www.omexusa.com to advise on three topics central to CIP’s work: seed certification, research and development, and potato marketing. Gall was named director of the WPC in 2014, a post he would hold for the next seven years. Current WPC Director Romain Cools says, “Ron was dedicated to the potato industry and in helping to make the World Potato Congress the worldrenowned organization that it is today. After 13 years of involvement, his commitment and loyalty to WPC will be long remembered.” “His years of experience in the potato sector were great assets to the Board,” Cools adds. “He was instrumental in putting on a fantastic Congress in Christchurch, New Zealand, in 2014, and assisted WPC in maintaining its reputation as a world class networking organization.” CIP joins the WPC in expressing their condolences to Ron’s wife, Gail, and his entire family.

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