Test digs at Alsum Farms for Wisconsin russet, red and yellow potato varieties are indicating a promising year, says Christine Lindner, marketing manager of Alsum Farms & Produce, Friesland, Wis.
“It’s still a little early to tell on yields and size profile, but our early red and yellow varieties are sizing up well,” Lindner said. “Wisconsin potato harvest is underway as of July 30 with the start of red and yellow potatoes and russet potatoes are on track to begin harvest on Aug. 19.”
Alsum Farms, marketing primarily to retailers, grows 3,000 acres of Wisconsin Healthy Grown Certified russet, red and yellow potatoes in its two farming locations in Arena and Grand Marsh, Wis.
“Our total acres for 2024 are nearly the same as last year,” Lindner said. “We have cut back on our red potato acres and increased our yellow potato acres.”
She said Alsum Farms has seen huge growth in yellow potato and petite categories in the past three years. As a result, the marketer has added more yellow potatoes and petite red and petite yellow acres that were previously red potatoes, she said.
Importance of Wisconsin
Wisconsin potato fields account for about 50% of the firm’s annual potato volume, Lindner said.
“Alsum Farms is a Wisconsin fresh market potato grower and founding member of the Wisconsin Healthy Grown Program that has guided our farm stewardship and sustainability practices for nearly three decades,” she said.
Wisconsin will be able to provide quality new crop by early late July at competitive prices that will allow retailers to run promotions on new crop potatoes during the latter half of the summer months and into fall, she said.
Alsum Farms & Produce offers a year-round supply of Wisconsin russets while yellows and reds finish up by January due to these varieties’ storability. Wisconsin organic russet, red and yellow varieties will be available for shipping starting Aug. 5, Lindner said.
“The wetter than normal weather conditions this past summer has presented a challenge from flooding and excessive rains, all of which influence the growing season and drive the marketing year ahead,” Lindner said. “The past month we’ve experienced more rains that led to flooding and loss of acres due to the excessive rains. Despite the rainfall, our stands are looking good as well as the plant growth. We anticipate a good quality crop. “
On the marketing front, Alsum Farms continues to implement digital consumer marketing and sales promotions with our retail partners to help boost potato sales on digital platforms.
Sustainability progress
Alsum Farms continues to educate farmers about the sustainability practices from soil health and conservation, Lindner said. Recently, in conjunction with the U.S. Dairy Forage Research Center, Alsum Farms hosted more than 80 farmers, and educational and industry leaders at its Arena farm for a Farmer-Led Field Day on managing pollinator habitats, she said.
Alsum Farms grows, nurtures and harvests farm fresh potatoes using the Wisconsin Healthy Grown program.
“This eco-friendly program has guided our farm sustainability practices for the nearly 30 years,” Lindner said.
Alsum Farms utilizes the Healthy Grown program’s regenerative agriculture approach to farming that works to strengthen ecosystems and community resilience, she said. The 50 acres that have been dedicated to prairie restoration and pollinator habitat to cultivate a sustainably grown food supply is an example of Alsum Farms’ commitment to regenerative agriculture, Lindner said.
“In 1992 we began farming and by 1996 helped establish the Wisconsin Healthy Grown program,” said Larry Alsum, a founding member of the program. “Since that time, the Healthy Grown program has continued to guide our farm sustainability practices utilizing Integrated Pest Management to efficiently manage inputs, implement conservation practices that enhance biological diversity, and ecosystem efforts by certifying under the Healthy Grown standards.
“With Alsum Farms in full swing harvesting new crop Wisconsin Healthy Grown Certified Alsum russet, red and yellow potatoes, now is an excellent time to offer farm fresh and sustainably grown potatoes to boost retail sales,” Alsum added. “The Healthy Grown program offers a point of differentiation in the marketplace while being a program that guides our on-farm sustainability to nurture the soil for future generations.”
