Started in 1989, this market order board has nine members who represent about 160 licensed potato producers. Its purpose is marketing, promotion, research, and education.
The board is responsible for managing an annual assessment of $ 2 million. The assessment rate is eight cents per hundredweight of potatoes.
Wisconsin's potato growers produced 28 million cwt. of potatoes in 2022, ranking it third in the United States. Idaho is the nation's top potato producing state.
Potato production in Wisconsin is predominant in the central region of the state, although all 72 counties are represented on the potato industry board.
Wisconsin Potato Industry Board directors, each of whom serves a three-year term, are:
District 1:
- Thomas Wild of Antigo
- Eric Schroeder of Deerbrook
- Keith Wolker of Antigo (Treasurer)
Includes Ashland, Barron, Bayfield, Brown, Burnett, Chippewa, Clark, Door, Douglas, Dunn, Eau Claire, Florence, Forest, Iron, Kewaunee, Langlade, Lincoln, Marinette, Menominee, Oconto, Oneida, Pepin, Pierce, Polk, Price, Rusk, Sawyer, St. Croix, Taylor, Vilas, and Washburn counties
District 2:
- John Fenske of Coloma
- James Okray of Stevens Point
- Nicola Carey of Bancroft (Secretary)
Includes Marathon, Outagamie, Portage, Shawano, Waupaca, and Waushara counties
District 3:
- Roderick Gumz of Endeavor
- Heidi Randall of Cambaria (President)
Includes Adams, Buffalo, Calumet, Columbia, Crawford, Dane, Dodge, Fond du Lac, Grant, Green, Green Lake, Iowa, Jackson, Jefferson, Juneau, Kenosha, La Crosse, Lafayette, Manitowoc, Marquette, Milwaukee, Monroe, Ozaukee, Racine, Richland, Rock, Sauk, Sheboygan, Trempealeau, Vernon, Walworth, Washington, Waukesha, Winnebago, and Wood counties
District At-Large:
- Andy Diercks of Coloma (Vice President)
Contact
Questions regarding elections may be directed to:
DATCP Market Orders Program
(608) 224-5046