September is National Potato Month! Wisconsin ranks third in the nation for potato production. Whether you like Baked potatoesmashed, baked or fried, you can be sure that Wisconsin potatoes are grown to the highest quality standards. Learn more and celebrate National Potato Month with Earth Leader this month, Farms and agricultural products Alsum from the Arena!
Potatoes have been the mainstay of Alsum’s Farms’ business for 45 years. Alsum Farms grows 3,000 acres of potatoes. They also grow 325 acres of pumpkins.
“We are very proud of our quality [of our product]“said Larry Alsum, owner and president of Alsum Farms.
How long does it take for potatoes to be delivered to the store?
The motto of the Alsum farm is: “Integrity from Farm to Fork”Potatoes are picked from the field, cleaned, packed and delivered to the customer within 36 hours.
How can potato farmers ensure sustainable cultivation?
At Alsum Farms, sustainability means leaving the land in better condition than we found it. The team focuses on saving water, energy and soil in their agricultural methods.
“We only have one Earth to live on, and protecting soil, water and resources is very important for all farmers,” Alsum said.
Alsum Farms & Produce is a second generation potato farm. The family takes great care of their associates and appreciates their efforts to contribute to their success. Everyone is family at Alsum Farms.
Joe and Jeff Huber are a father and son team at Alsum Farms and Produce. Jeff is the agronomy manager and Joe is the farm operations manager.
As the agronomy manager at Alsum Farms, Jeff uses the Healthy Grown program to select products to utilize in his potato crop. The process begins with purchasing Healthy Grown certified seed and planning the season with UW-Extension.
Healthy growth is a cooperation between potato producers and University of Wisconsin-Extension Department to improve agricultural practices, improve the environment and create a sustainable future for future generations.
Alsum’s team is creating pollinator habitat across the state. Nearly 50 acres are dedicated to prairie restoration and pollinator habitat, and they’re still adding to that on their farmland.
In addition to their on-the-ground environmental efforts, the Alsum team believes in feeding the hungry and reducing food waste. Alsum Farms & Produce has donated over 6 million pounds of produce to Second Harvest Foodbank over the past 25 years. The team is committed to providing high-quality potatoes to reduce food waste and end hunger.
Where can I buy Wisconsin potatoes?
The Healthy Grown seal on bags of Alsum potatoes gives customers peace of mind knowing that best practices were used to grow these plants. Alsum potatoes can be found in many major grocery stores in Wisconsin, such as Aldi’s, Woodman’s, Piggly Wiggly, Costco and others.
How much water does it take to grow potatoes?
Potatoes need half an inch of water every other day to thrive. Variable Rate Irrigation is a helpful sustainability resource at Alsum Farms. Soil probes monitor the amount of water in the soil. Variable Rate Irrigation allows the Alsum team to prescribe precise amounts of water to fields based on soil type and weather conditions.
Jeff believes that the priority in growing potatoes must be taking care of the soil.
The biggest environmental challenge is wind in the central sands region of Wisconsin. The soil is most susceptible to wind erosion when exposed in spring and fall. Hedges and windbreaks are planted around fields to prevent sand from being carried. Alsum Farms also uses cover crops to prevent erosion.
Alsum Farms’ goal is to augment efficiency by producing more pounds of potatoes per acre and continue to improve potato quality. Alsum Farms is growing three times more potatoes than it did 25 years ago, using less land, energy, water and emissions per acre. The team continues to utilize novel technologies to make sure resources are used properly.
