Wisconsin’s cranberry industry makes strides in sustainable agriculture

The Wisconsin State Cranberry Growers Association and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service have announced that a six-year effort to improve grower participation in NRCS conservation programs and water quality on cranberry operations shows significant strides toward sustainable agriculture. The review looked at 51 environmental projects begun by state cranberry growers since 2004 that were funded in part through the NRCS Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP).

“There has been a dedicated effort in Wisconsin’s cranberry industry over the last six years to improve conservation program participation and we at NRCS are pleased that EQIP has become an effective tool in this effort,” says Patricia Leavenworth, NRCS state conservationist. “When the program was first introduced, few if any Wisconsin cranberry growers were involved in these kinds of efforts. Now, the growers have embraced this program, and they are a great example of how we can adapt ag conservation practices to meet the unique needs of specialty crops.”

EQIP, funded through the U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Bill, offers financial and technical help to implement conservation practices on agriculture land. Fifty-one EQIP contracts have been awarded to dozens of Wisconsin cranberry growers in the last six years, bringing the total amount to nearly $2 million allocated for conservation projects. In addition to EQIP, WSCGA launched its own conservation funding effort, the Whole Farm Planning Incentives Program (WFPIP), in 2007 to supplement conservation work left unfunded through EQIP. An additional $376,000 to date has gone toward that effort.

According to Leavenworth, more than $14 million is expected to be awarded statewide to Wisconsin farmers for EQIP projects in 2010. EQIP is open to all types of agriculture, and according to WSCGA, five cranberry marshes have applied for new funds in 2010.

“More than half of Wisconsin’s cranberry acreage, approximately 10,000 acres, has these new conservation practices in place,” says Mike Moss, WSCGA president.

Moss has been awarded EQIP funding for soil moisture and temperature monitoring for his Elm Lake Cranberry Company near Wisconsin Rapids. Moss said the system, which can give readings every 10 minutes, measures pressure and tension in the soil. From there, Moss said he can decide how much or how little to water his cranberry beds.

This spring, Valley Corporation near Tomah will complete the final phase of its three-year project funded by both EQIP and WFPIP by installing the last parts of its high uniformity irrigation system on the cranberry marsh. Owner Ed Grygleski says the new system allows water to be applied more evenly and efficiently over the cranberry beds in less time, which in turn uses less water and energy.

Additionally, NRCS has worked with Wisconsin cranberry growers to plan and implement funding support for:

• 2,100 acres of cranberries managed by nutrient management systems

• 1,800 acres of cranberries with pest management systems in place

• 710 acres of cranberries grown using irrigation water management systems 

MOVERS

>> Frank Albi is the new president and CEO of Core BTS Inc., a Madison-based technology infrastructure and collaboration company.

>> New Berlin’s United Heartland has announced the appointment of Greg Donovan as vice president of field operations.

>> Aaron Olver is the new secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Commerce.

BUSINESS BRIEFS

MADISON: The Florida Health Care Coalition has selected WisconsinRx as its recipient for the 2010 Pharmacy Purchasing Award. WisconsinRx, which operates nationally through its National CooperativeRx division, was recognized by the Florida group for its work to manage complexities of pharmacy benefits on behalf of plan sponsors. WisconsinRx currently serves 450 plan sponsors from around the nation. >> Holy Wisdom Monastery, a construction project featured in CRW’s April “Target Efficiency” story, has earned 63 out of a possible 69 points under LEED-NC v2.2 to become the highest-rated LEED building in the United States.

MILWAUKEE: In March, the Governor’s Council on Tourism announced the recipients of the inaugural Governor’s Tourism Awards during the closing dinner of the Wisconsin Governor’s Conference on Tourism. The Governor’s Tourism Legacy Award was presented to Ruth Goetz of Ashland; the Governor’s Tourism Rising Star Award was bestowed on Theresa Nemetz of Milwaukee, owner and operator of Milwaukee Food Tours; The Governor’s Tourism Stewardship Award was given to Madison’s Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center; and the Governor’s Tourism Service Excellence Award was presented to Scott Krause, general manager of the Heidel House Resort & Spa in Green Lake.