In addition to its annual Hall of Fame induction, the Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association (WPVGA) presented several other annual industry awards at a banquet held February 4, 2015 in Stevens Point.
Kathy Bartsch of Bartsch Farms, Coloma, was named the WPVGA Volunteer of the Year. Bartsch has done a tremendous amount of volunteer work in the Wisconsin potato industry over the past several years. A long-time member of the Wisconsin Potato Growers Auxiliary Board of Directors, Bartsch continues to serve the Auxiliary by chairing and coordinating the Kids Dig Wisconsin Potatoes program, which teaches grade school children all about potatoes while growing them in the classroom.
“Kathy does a great job leading the Kids Dig Harvest Parties that are held at selected schools,” noted Wisconsin Potato Growers Auxiliary President Jacquie Wille. “She also volunteers at numerous industry events, including the School Nutrition Association Conference, the WPS Farm Show, the Wisconsin State Fair, the Feed My Starving Children Mobile Packing event, and others.”
Bartsch also serves on the WPVGA Promotions Committee. She was the WPVGA Potato Industry Woman of the Year in 2006. She and her husband, Steve, own and operate Bartsch Farms in Coloma, Wisconsin.
Eric Schroeder of Schroeder Bros. Farms, Inc., Antigo, was named WPVGA Young Grower of the Year. WPVGA Executive Director Tamas Houlihan recognized Schroeder for his leadership and active involvement in the potato industry.
“Eric has been extremely active in the potato industry, serving on both the WPVGA and the Wisconsin Seed Potato Improvement Association board of directors, while also serving as a Wisconsin representative on the United States Potato Board,” said Houlihan. “He Chairs the Regulatory Committee for the Seed Association, and Chairs the Chip Committee for the WPVGA. He served as the 2014 Potato Industry Leadership Institute’s Grower-Leader, after being elected to the position by the 2013 Leadership Institute class.”
The son of Pete and Gina Schroeder, Eric works as the Assistant Farm Manager at Schroeder Bros. Farms, Inc. where they raise over 2200 acres of certified seed potatoes, along with alfalfa, field corn, oats, soybeans and sweet corn.
The WPVGA Researcher of the Year Award went to Dr. Paul Mitchell, Associate Professor in the University of Wisconsin-Madison Dept. of Agricultural and Applied Economics. Dr. Mitchell’s 2014 research included a project funded by the Wisconsin potato industry titled: “Increasing the Economic Value of Sustainability in Wisconsin Potato Production Using a Multi-Tiered Approach to Assessment.”
“Paul has been the leader of a very large Specialty Crop Research Initiative grant whereby scientists in five states are collaborating to create a system for reporting the sustainability of agricultural practices that will be credible to consumers and workable for producers, and will document improvements over time,” Houlihan remarked. “He has documented Wisconsin’s contributions to sustainability solutions, and his efforts are helping to make our state, our nation and our entire world more sustainable.”
Mitchell has a PhD in Economics from Iowa State University, a Master’s Degree in Classics from UW-Madison, and a Bachelor’s Degree in History from Iowa State University.
The WPVGA Associate Division presented the Associate Division Business Person of the Year Award to Eugene Mancl of Ron’s Refrigeration and Air Conditioning, Inc., Wisconsin Rapids.
According to Houlihan, Mancl has dedicated a great deal of time and effort to more fully engage the Associate Division with the Wisconsin potato and vegetable industry.
“Through Eugene’s efforts as Associate Division President the past two years, the Associate Division’s annual golf outing greatly increased its income and then donated the additional funds raised to worthy causes throughout the industry,” said Houlihan. “Some of those projects include: increased funding of research and other industry grants; additional scholarships to industry members’ children; a significant donation toward the WPVGA Spudmobile project; generous donation toward the Feed My Starving Children mobile packing event; and individual donations to industry members and their families in times of need.”
Houlihan went on to say that Mancl’s hard work, dedication and commitment to excellence have enabled the Associate Division to become a true partner in the potato and vegetable industry.
The Agri-Communicator Award for excellence in communication and dedicated service in presenting a positive message about the agricultural industry was presented to Dianne Somers of Plover River Farms, Stevens Point.
“Dianne has been actively involved in the Wisconsin potato industry for many years, and 2014 was no exception,” Houlihan stated. “She has been active with the WPVGA Water Task Force and did an outstanding job communicating with the WPVGA and the rest of the industry on water issues. She spoke up on behalf of agriculture at several area water listening sessions and was instrumental in getting agriculture represented on the state’s Groundwater Coordinating Council.”
Somers was also active on the WPVGA Promotions Committee as well as the Spud Bowl Committee, and led several political fundraising efforts, including hosting a highly successful event at her home for Governor Walker.
“Dianne always has the industry’s best interests at heart,” Houlihan added. “She works hard to make sure the shrinking voice of agriculture is heard loud and clear.”
2014 WPVGA President Larry Alsum of Alsum Farms & Produce, Friesland, presented President’s Awards to his daughters, Wendy Alsum-Dykstra and Heidi Alsum-Randall, as well as one to WPVGA Executive Director Tamas Houlihan.
Alsum commended his daughters for their active involvement in the industry and said it was through their efforts in keeping the family business running smoothly that allowed him the time to serve the industry as President. In presenting the award to Houlihan, Alsum said he showed great commitment to the industry, working as the Interim Executive Director for over four months while also continuing to serve as the Managing Editor/Communications Director.
Alsum thanked his daughters and Houlihan for “your commitment, leadership and service in business, family and our community.”
Special Industry Appreciation Awards were presented to Chris Brooks of Central Door Solutions, Plover; Glenn Carlson, former Agricultural Supervisor at the Hancock Agricultural Research Station; and Nick Somers of Plover River Farms, Stevens Point.
Brooks was elected as the President of the WPVGA Associate Division at the Associate Division Annual Meeting on Feb. 4, 2015. In 2014, he served as the Vice President and was very active in the industry, working at numerous Associate Division events as well as serving on the WPVGA Promotions Committee.
“Chris gave tremendous contributions toward the Spudmobile project, and was instrumental in helping to launch this exciting, new promotional and educational vehicle for the Wisconsin potato industry,” stated Houlihan.
Brooks drove the RV back to Wisconsin from where it was purchased in Michigan; and later drove the newly-created Spudmobile from Milwaukee to its debut event at the Wisconsin Farm Technology Days in Stevens Point in August. He also drove it to several industry events when the WPVGA was relying on volunteers to drive the massive spud vehicle.
“Chris has really gone above and beyond the call of duty when it comes to supporting the Wisconsin potato industry,” said Houlihan. “We are fortunate to have his contributions and he is a credit to the industry.”
Glenn Carlson recently retired after serving as the Agricultural Supervisor at the UW-Hancock Agricultural Research Station. He worked in various positions at the station for over 37 years.
Born and raised in Hancock, he is a 1975 graduate of Tri-County High School in Plainfield. He began work at the Hancock Research Station in 1976 as a Farm Laborer. He also held positions as a Facilities Repair Worker, Equipment Operator, Maintenance Mechanic and three levels of Automotive Technician. As the Agricultural Supervisor, Carlson worked closely with the researchers at the station, helping to create plans for their field plots and making sure the plans work in the field.
Carlson currently resides in Rome, Wisconsin, where he is an avid sportsman. He coached Little League baseball for many years and is an officer in the Heart of Wisconsin Gun Club. He is a two-time Wisconsin state champion at trap shooting and enjoys duck hunting. He has two children and two grandchildren.
Nick Somers of Plover River Farms, Stevens Point, has a long history of leadership in the Wisconsin potato industry. Active at the local, state and national levels, Somers has served as President of the WPVGA, President of the WPIB, and President of the National Potato Council. He Co-Chairs the WPVGA Water Task Force and has been the industry’s leader in working to preserve irrigation rights while practicing water conservation. He participates in the WPVGA Governmental Affairs Committee, the Research Committee and the Spud Bowl committee.
“Nick has also made great contributions to the WPVGA Promotions Committee, including coming up with the idea of the Spudmobile,” said Houlihan. “He has been a tremendous help throughout the Spudmobile project, and was instrumental in taking that vehicle from a concept to a reality.”
“Nick has endless energy and is always thinking and working for the betterment of the entire industry,” Houlihan said.
Source: Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association