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 Antigo
- 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
- Jim Okray of Plover
- Nicola Carey of Bancroft (Secretary)
Includes Marathon, Outagamie, Portage, Shawano, Waupaca, and Waushara counties
District 3:
- John Bobeck of Markesan
- 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
More information about the board is available by writing to the
Wisconsin Potato Industry Board at PO Box 327, 700 Fifth Street, Antigo, WI 54409-0327 or phoning (715) 623-7683 or faxing (715) 623-3176.
Questions regarding elections may be directed to:
Debbie Gegare
DATCP Market Orders Program Coordinator
(608) 224-5116