Alsum Farms to celebrate 50 years of ‘Growing Goodness’
A half-century in the making, Alsum Farms & Produce, a Friesland, Wis.-based fresh market grower, packer and shipper of Wisconsin Healthy Grown potatoes, pumpkins and onions as well as a wholesaler of fresh produce, is celebrating 50 years of “Growing Goodness” in 2023.
To celebrate its 50th anniversary, Alsum Farms invites growers, retail and foodservice buyers, industry friends and the public to attend plant tours Aug. 11 and an Aug. 12 community event, which is set to include a Tater Trot 5K and 2-mile run/walk and a tour of Alsum Farms potato and pumpkin farms in Grand Marsh, Wis., according to a news release.
On Aug. 11, a guided tour of Alsum Farms & Produce’s production facility is free and open to the public. Registration is required to join one of the tours, which begin at 8 a.m., 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. To sign up for the plant tour, contact Ross Jeseritz at ross.jeseritz@alsum.com or 920-348-6702 and provide the time desired and the number of people attending. Tour attendees must wear closed-toe shoes and no jewelry. Dress accordingly as the production facility temperature is 45 degrees. Cake and refreshments will be served following each plant tour,
The Alsum Farms & Produce 50th anniversary community celebration continues Aug. 12 with its sixth annual Tater Trot 5k Family Run and 2-Mile Walk. All are welcome to shop at the farm fresh produce market, stroll through vendor and educational booths, and enjoy a brat and a Pepsi from the 95.3 WBEV Beaver Dam radio station at the Friesland-based location. This event hosts runners, walkers and community enthusiasts, and the funds raised benefit local Future Farmers of America chapters.
After the run concludes at 10:30 a.m., Alsum Farms & Produce President and CEO Larry Alsum plans to lead a short program of reflection to recognize founder Glenn Alsum’s family, as well as grower and industry partners who have been integral in Alsum’s success over the past five decades, the release said.
After the recognition program concludes, a tour of the Alsum potato and pumpkin farms in Grand Marsh will be offered to see the potato harvest firsthand and view the pumpkin fields. A coach bus is slated to depart at 11 a.m. and return at 2:30 p.m. to Alsum Farms & Produce in Friesland. The bus is limited to 50 people, on a first-come basis.
Attendees are also welcome to drive to the Grand Marsh farm to join the farm tour, which is free. Registration is required. To sign up, contact Jeseritz at ross.jeseritz@alsum.com or 920-348-6702. Alsum asks that attendees indicate how many will be attending and if they are riding the bus or driving separately.
Details on the Grand Marsh farm tour route include:
• 11 a.m. — Depart Alsum Farms & Produce in Friesland.
• Noon — Arrive at Alsum Farms pumpkin farm on 5th Avenue in Grand Marsh, followed by a drive to fields along Dyke Road and a stop for field tours.
• 12:50 p.m. — Drive to Alsum Farms potato farm for tour at 813 County Road E., Adams, Wis.
• 1:30 p.m. — Departure.
Registration for the Tater Trot 5k and 2-mile walk Aug. 12 is open from 7:30-8:45 a.m. The free Kids Fun Run race is scheduled to start at 8:55 a.m. and the 5K and 2-mile walk at 9 a.m.
Event highlights include:
- Farm fresh produce and vendor market.
- WBEV Brat Fry from 9-11 a.m.
- Educational booths and kids’ activities.
- Wisconsin Spudmobile.
- Photo-op with “Spudly.”
- Awards for the top three males and females in the 5K, presented in two age categories: 17 years and under and 18 years and older.
- Strollers welcome.
- Fruit and water available post-race.
- Free parking.
- Farmer Larry Alsum will lead a tour of Alsum Farms potato and pumpkin farms in Grand Marsh to see potato harvest and pumpkin fields firsthand.
Alsum Farms & Produce is at N9083 County Road EF in Friesland. (If using GPS, use Cambria, Wis. 53923.)
This Alsum community event celebrates the company’s 50 years in business of providing quality potatoes, onions and farm fresh produce, and showcases the spud’s healthy halo, the release said. The company says its year-long 50th anniversary theme “Growing Goodness” speaks to how Alsum Farms & Produce has enriched the lives of associates, customers and consumers over the past five decades.
