Consumers are becoming increasingly interested in protecting the soil, the water, and the farm for generations to come. And it’s what Wisconsin potato and vegetable growers are actively doing. The Healthy Grown program supports these growers in meeting their on-farm goals.
Healthy Grown is a partnership between the Wisconsin Potato and Vegetable Growers Association and UW-Madison to advance the industry’s conservation and sustainability standards.
Deana Knuteson, Division of Extension, has been with this program since it started over two decades ago. She says there’s still room to recruit new growers. The sign-up window is open.
“It’s a high-bar program. They’re certified with a variety of practices,” Knuteson explains.
Healthy Grown farmers work with ecologists, conservationists, and researchers to:
- Find better ways to manage pests and weeds
- Restore natural ecosystems
- Prevent erosion
- Support native plants and animals
- Conserve quality water
- Improve potato/veggie production
In exchange, growers can use the Healthy Grown logo or bag for marketing purposes.
Knuteson says several commodities are active in Healthy Grown. Program leaders are looking to expand involvement.
“Right now we’re anywhere from about 10,000-12,000 acres a year,” she says.
She says that includes about half of Wisconsin’s fresh market potato growers and some carrot and onion producers. About a quarter of Wisconsin’s veggie growers are in the Healthy Grown program.
“One of the things that we’re working on now is really what are our next steps — what’s our vision for how to expand that and to keep that going… whether it’s more crops involved, more growers involved, more systems involved.”
For example, Knuteson says they’re considering how to get veggie processors involved.
If you’re interested in being a part of Healthy Grown or want to see where you can find these products in the grocery store, visit https://wisconsinpotatoes.com/
