Integrated Pest and Crop Management > Program Info

The World Wildlife Fund (WWF), the Wisconsin Potato and Vegetable Growers Association (WPVGA) and the University of Wisconsin (UW) are working collaboratively to educate vegetable growers on using biologically based pest management systems. The WWF/WPVGA cooperation began in 1996 with five goals: to promote the development and adoption of biointensive IPM practices, to reduce the use of high-risk pesticides in potato production, to refine measurement systems for IPM adoption, to develop marketplace incentives for ecologically produced potatoes, and to enhance ecosystem function and biodiversity. The organizations also worked to identify policies and programs supporting environmental goals while maintaining economically viable farming systems. The University of Wisconsin, which had always provided pertinent research, education, and information to the project, officially became a partner in 1998 and the WWF/WPVGA/UW Collaboration was formed.

The Collaboration has achieved significant progress toward reducing the toxicity levels of pesticides used in potato production while increasing biointensive IPM adoption. The growers throughout the state of Wisconsin have achieved a 21 percent overall reduction of toxicity in the system from 1995 to 1999 (toxicity values for each pesticide are determined by the relative environmental and human risk they pose). Of 11 specifically targeted high-risk pesticides, a 37 percent reduction of toxicity units from the 1995 baseline to 1999 was observed.

The project has been successful in implementing their goals of raising consumer demand for biologically based IPM produced products, through their development of the eco-brand, "Healthy Grown." This brand is the result of a highly scientific standard which has resulted in an environmentally grown potato. The results achieved by the "Healthy Grown" program have been impressive thus far; about 10% of the state's fresh market potato farmers have participated in the program. Documented improvements have been shown within the certified crop where adoption of bioIPM has increased by 26% in 6 years and pesticide toxicity has declined a by 32%.

In 2006, the Wisconsin Healthy Grown growers started ecosystem conservation efforts as part of their certification process. In this work, growers are required to restore and/or maintain selected privately owned, non-agricultural parcels. Growers complete management activities according to an annual plan and certify the hours and expenses invested.

To view a video about our program called "Stories from the field - Healthy Grown Potatoes" visit the research channel website (http://www.researchchannel.org/prog/displayevent.aspx?rID=3746).

A WPTV video titled "It's not small potatoes" can be found at the Wisconsin Public Television site (http://www.wpt.org/npa/transcripts/index.cfm?did=25660).

To read an article which highlights our effort called "Spud in the Spotlight" go to the WI Natural Resources magazine (http://www.wnrmag.com/stories/2004/aug04/spud.htm).

Project Partners and History

Wisconsin is home to a diverse agriculture with a variety of highly valuable vegetable crops. Potato production is the largest of these commodities, with over 70,000 acres in the state, resulting in a large economic impact in the state. Potatoes and the corresponding vegetable rotational crops (snap beans, carrots, peas, and sweet corn) are primarily grown in the Central Sands, an environmentally sensitive area of the state where great care needs to be taken to limit environmental impact.

The state's potato industry has struggled for years to balance the needs of intensive agriculture and the environment. High-value and vulnerable crops, like potatoes, require aggressive effort to manage pests and sustain soil fertility. Pest management costs have risen sharply in recent years and concerns persist over the impact of pesticides on farm families, rural community health and wildlife. In the early 1980s the highly toxic insecticide aldicarb was detected regularly in the region's drinking water, in some cases at levels triggering serious health concerns. The need for less chemical-dependent pest management systems evolved quickly from a desirable longer-term goal to a pressing near-term necessity.

Through teamwork and research, rapid progress has been made in better managing pests and pesticide applications. But growers and industry leaders are not satisfied. Work continues with crop consultants, the agribusiness community and researchers at the University of Wisconsin to develop new and more effective biointensive IPM systems. Promising new strategies are on the horizon. A new generation of biologically based alternatives is under active exploration. World Wildlife Fund (WWF) joined the Wisconsin Potato and Vegetable Growers Association (WPVGA) in this project to pursue a shared vision. The project team believes that biointensive IPM is the surest way to sustain profitable agriculture while enhancing environmental quality and reducing risks stemming from agricultural production systems.

Over time, the project has expanded its work and is now working with other environmental interests including the Defenders of Wildlife and the International Crane Foundation. These non-profit environmental groups work specifically with the ecosystem conservation natural community efforts to support and encourage growers to manage and restore privately owned, non-agricultural lands on their farms.

Project Goals and Memorandum of Understanding

In the early 1990's WWF carried out a project focusing on the prevention of agricultural pollution in the Great Lakes Basin. Lessening reliance on pesticides emerged as a priority goal, and IPM was identified as the surest way to achieve it. A series of meetings were held with grower groups to explore needed steps and how WWF could help accelerate progress. One commodity group -- the WPVGA -- demonstrated a particularly strong commitment to IPM. Moreover, WPVGA was willing to work with WWF and other stakeholders to set measurable goals and monitor progress using credible measurement methodology. Preliminary discussion in 1994 was followed by a long, collaborative process to shape project goals and activities, culminating in the announcement in October 1996 of the WWF-WPVGA potato IPM project.

Goals of the Project:

To promote the development and adoption of biointensive IPM practices
To reduce the use of high-risk pesticides in the system
To enhance ecosystem function and biodiversity
To refine measurement systems for IPM adoption
To look for marketplace incentives for ecologically produced potatoes

Eco-Label: first for Wisconsin potatoes

Raising consumer demand for biologically based IPM produced products has been a goal of the WWF/WPVGA/UW Collaboration from its inception. Collaboration measurement methods provide a solid foundation in the development of an eco-label for biointensive IPM (bioIPM) grown potatoes. In the fall of 2000, ecological standards were written for potatoes.

The eco-standard is divided into three parts, 1) a bioIPM adoption section, 2) a toxicity score, and 3) a natural community standard. In bioIPM adoption, there are certain practices that growers must do (such as rotation) in order to be certified or they are automatically eliminated; there are also practices that growers can do to add to their total points. The toxicity guidelines, derived from the values developed by the Collaboration, are written so that growers minimize the amount of high-risk pesticides that are applied to a field in a given year.

In 2006, the eco-label added a natural community standard. This standard requires that growers have an individual farm plan based on a regional plan, and this plan will require growers to restore lands that they privately own and to focus on the important community types in their areas. To obtain certification, each farm developed a grower plan for managing selected natural areas and documenting activities. This growing season, 2007, will be the second year a crop will be grown to such rigorous ecological standard, and growers are being asked to maintain records to ensure that they are properly executing their individual farm plans.

Auditing

If growers meet all three sections of the standards, they will be audited by an independent non-profit organization (Protected Harvest) on a field by field basis yearly. The audit process requires documentation of field practices from all sections of the standard, detailed pesticide records, and documentation of conservation efforts. Growers must also show that they are able to trace where their product goes and are able to ensure the exact location that the potatoes are grown.

Packing facilities are also audited each year to ensure product differentiation and credibility. These facilities must prove that they segregate the product and trace where they potatoes where grown.

Certification

Certification officially began in 2001, with over 4000 acres becoming certified for the program. Each subsequent year, approximately 10% of the state’s fresh market potato farmers have participated in the program and about 5000 acres of potatoes meet the strict environmental standard certified by Protected Harvest and sold as Healthy Grown each year. To date, a reduction of 32% of pesticidal inputs can be accounted for during that six year period while an increase of 26% of biologically based IPM practices occurred between 2000 to 2006.

The Brand

The bioIPM adoption and pesticide risk reduction goals culminated in the marketplace introduction in 2001 of a new brand, Healthy Grown. The Healthy Grown brand, overseen by an independent non-profit organization, “Protected Harvest”, evolved in response to growing consumer demand for environmentally responsible production methods and to provide consumers more food choices. The “Protected Harvest”/Healthy Grown labels, which are now in place, are rewarding the achievements the growers have already made in regards to pesticide reduction and IPM adoption. Sales for “Healthy Grown” potatoes continue to grow and the potatoes are now sold in mainstream grocery store chains in the upper Midwest.

Research to Support Production Recommendations to Protect the Environment

Growers are continually advancing bioIPM and conservation programs by cooperating in on-farm research on reduced-risk pest management systems, resistance management protocols, soil and water quality programs, fumigation alternatives, and ecosystem restoration research. The practices and recommendations that result from research are extended to the growers via the projects educational biointensive IPM meetings, field days and from the resulting educational materials which are developed as a result of the effort.We are currently working on expanding our effort to include other vegetable and fruit crops. Specific research initiatives are described below.

IPM Research:

The University of Wisconsin IPM team continually works with Wisconsin potato growers to educate the industry on the use and implementation of biologically based pest management programs. Each year the Wisconsin Potato Research Board provides significant funding to UW researchers for cutting edge technologies that will enhance biointensive IPM programs. Additional grants from numerous sources have assisted in developing best management programs for the industry. The IPM team also conducts on-farm research on improving soil health and water quality through the use of compost, cover crops, and other soil indicators.

Ecosystem Research:

Currently there is research being done on farms in the Central Sands region of Wisconsin. On the farms, conservation targets are selected to include natural communities, individual species, and ecological systems. At the individual farm level, “standards” will be specified on the basis of indicators that are chosen with respect to the particular targets on the farm, but also relevant to regional conservation goals. From the beginning, the growers’ participation has always been an integral part to the success of the project. The demonstration and restoration plots established on the growers land has been, and will be, used to gauge the importance of ecosystem restoration in relation to crop quality and production. Concurrent with this project is a large-scale research program identifying biodiversity functions within the potato and vegetable landscape. This research project, funded by the USDA-NRI program, is looking to scientifically assess the biodiversity in the system as well as the ecological functions (i.e. biodiversity, biological control, habitat corridors, pollination) potato and vegetable systems have in their systems. It is specifically looking at the plant, bird and insect species in both agricultural and adjacent lands to asses the community diversity and the interaction between the agricultural and non-agricultural landscapes. This will ultimately allow us to update grower’s management plans and activities to maximize their ecosystem functions on their own farms.

Soil and Water Quality Research:

The WWF/WPVGA/UW Collaboration has a collective goal to reduce the use of metam sodium fumigation of Wisconsin potato acreage in an effort to decrease the reliance on fumigation to control soil borne diseases and ultimately improve and protect soil and water quality. In efforts to do so, three objectives were created; (1) research to investigate relationships between fumigation intensity and potato production, (2) utilization of fumigation reduction techniques, and (3) educational outreach to promote the use of fumigation reduction techniques. The University of Wisconsin scientists have also begun to document the potential for various cultural practices, including cover cropping, mulching and use of organic soil amendments, and soil solarization. Many of these practices need to be researched on commercial farms to evaluate their environmental effects and economic viability as well as determine how they can be integrated with ecosystem conservation practices.

BioIPM Potato Workbook

The Biointensive IPM Potato Workbook is a practical tool for potato growers' use thoughout the entire production cycle. It helps growers, consultants and other agribusiness leaders learn how to move toward a more biologically based production system that is ecologically sound and economically profitable. Information in the workbook provides the how or why to implement specific activities and practices during various times of the year.

The workbook, written by Deana Sexson-Knuteson and Tim Connell (Editors, 2004, NPM Program UW-Madison), is organized seasonally to provide a comprehensive, year round self-assessment tool and reference on pest management and cultural practices. The workbook is organized into five chapters – pre-plant, planting, in-season, harvest and post-harvest. Each chapter is further divided into pertinent topic sections with self-assessment statements followed by information on standard recommended pracices as well as advancements to a biointensive production system.

Hard copies of the workbook can be purchased for $75.00 from the WPVGA. Contact Nicole Krueger of WPVGA at 715-623-7683 or nkrueger@wisconsinpotatoes.com.

International Crane Foundation Good Egg Award - presented to the Wisconsin Potato and Vegetable Growers Association - September of 2006.

International IPM Achievement Award - presented to the Wisconsin Healthy Grown Potato Project, given to the Wisconsin Potato and Vegetable Growers Association - April of 2006.

USDA Secretary Honor Award for Maintaining and Enhancing the Nation's Natural Resources - presented to the Wisconsin Potato Partnership - June of 2003.

World Wildlife Fund Gift to the Earth Award - presented to the Wisconsin Potato and Vegetable Growers Association - July of 1998.

Eco-Potato Advisory Meeting, December 11, 2008, 8:30 am - 4:00 pm

Pyle Center, UW-Madison (information to follow)

Eco-Potato Executive Board Meeting, December 12, 2008, 8:30 am - 1:00 pm

Pyle Center, UW-Madison

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Last	First	Role	Address	Phone	Fax	E-mail	Organization
KNUTESON	DEANA	BioIPM Coordinator, Principal Investigator, Executive Committee	445 Henry Mall, Madison, WI 53706	608-265-9798	608-262-7743		UW – Madison, NPM, Researcher
DUFF	ALISON	Field Ecologist/Ecosystem Coordinator	E11376 Shady Lane Road/P.O. Box 447, Baraboo, WI 53913-0447	608-356-9462 x157	608-356-9465		International Crane Foundation
BARZEN	JEB	Executive Committee, Advisory Committee	E-11376 Shady Lane Road, P.O. Box 447, Baraboo, WI 53913-0447	608-356-9462 ext. 125	608-356-9465		International Crane Foundation, Director of Field Ecology
FEIT	TIM	Executive Committee, Advisory Committee, Marketing Healthy Grown potatoes	P.O. Box 327, Antigo, WI 54409-0327	715-623-7683	715-623-3176		WPVGA Promotions and Consumer Education Director
LYNCH	SARAH	Executive Committee, Advisory Committee	1250 24th Street, N.W., Box 97180, Washington, D.C. 20090-7180	202-778-9781	202-530-0743		World Wildlife Fund, Sr. Program Officer
SOMERS	NICK	Executive Committee, Advisory Committee, Healthy Grown producer	5972 Hwy 10E, Stevens Point, WI 54481	715-592-4926			Plover River Farms President
GEVENS	AMANDA	Advisory Committee	1630 Linden Drive, Madison, WI 53706	608-890-3072	608-263-2626		UW – Madison, Plant Pathology Dept., Professor Emeritus
WALLENDAL	ANDY	Executive Committee, Advisory Committee, Healthy Grown producer	2401 5th Ave., Grand Marsh, WI 53936	608-339-3654	608-339-9707		Wallendal Supply, Inc
DIERCKS	ANDY	Executive Committee (grower alternate), Advisory Committee, Healthy Grown producer	109 S. Scott St., Coloma, WI 54930	715-228-3031	715-228-4455		Coloma Farms Vice President
DIERCKS	STEVE	Executive Committee (grower alternate), Advisory Committee, Healthy Grown producer	109 S. Scott St., Coloma, WI 54930	715-228-3031	715-228-4455		Coloma Farms President
BENBROOK	CHUCK	Advisory Committee	90063 Troy Road, Enterprise, Oregon 97828	541-828-7908			Benbrook Consulting Services, The Organic Center
CASEY	FRANK	Advisory Committee	1130 17th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20030	202-772-0227			Defenders of Wildlife, Director of Conservation Economics Program
DLOTT	JEFF	Advisory Committee	2901 Park Avenue, Suite A2, Soquel, CA 95073	831-477-7797 x202			SureHarvest CEO
FLOOD	BRIAN	Advisory Committee	600 North 15th Street, Rochelle, IL 61068-1002	815-562-1311	815-562-1214		Del Monte Research Director
GRATTON	CLAUDIO	Advisory Committee	1630 Linden Dr., Madison, WI 53706	608-265-3762	608-262-3322		UW-Madison, Entomology Dept., Assistant Professor
GROVES	RUSSELL	Exec. Comm., Advisory Comm.	1630 Linden Dr., Madison, WI 53706	608-262-3229	608-262-3322		UW-Madison, Entomology Dept., Assistant Professor
KROME	MARGARET	Advisory Committee	2524 Chamberlain Avenue, Madison, WI 53705	608-238-1440	608-238-1569		Michael Fields Agricultural Institute, Policy Director
MACGUIDWIN	ANN	Advisory Committee	1630 Linden Dr., Madison, WI 53706-1598	608-263-6131	608-263-2626		UW-Madison, Plant Pathology Dept., Professor
MILLER	MICHELLE	Advisory Committee	1450 Linden Drive, Madison, WI 53706	608-262-7135	608-265-3020		UW-Madison, Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems, Program Manager
NOWAK	PETE	Advisory Committee	550 N. Park St., Madison, WI 53706	608-265-3581	608-262-0014		UW-Madison, Nelson Institute of Environmental Studies, Professor
WYMAN	JEFF	Advisory Committee	1630 Linden Drive, Madison, WI 53706	608- 444-4756			UW-Madison, Entomology Dept, Professor Emeritus
ISHERWOOD	JUSTIN	potato grower	5911 Isherwood Rd., Plover, WI 54967		715-341-9730		Isherwood Company Farm
ALSUM	LARRY	Healthy Grown producer, shipper	N9083 Hwy EF, Box 188, Friesland, WI 53935	920-348-5127	920-348-5174		Alsum Farms President (www.alsum.com)
WOLOSEK	RON	Healthy Grown producer	5554 Monroe Ave., Plover, WI 54467	715-344-8036			Prairie Star Ranch
KUCZMARSKI	BRAD	Healthy Grown producer	1960 South River Road, Rhinelander, WI 54501	715-282-5469			Kuczmarski Farms, Inc.
WYSOCKI	RUSSELL	Healthy Grown producer, shipper	8550 Central Sands Rd., Box 330, Bancroft, WI 54921	715-335-8050	715-335-8051		Russet Potato Exchange President (www.rpespud.com)
OKRAY	JIM	Healthy Grown producer	3001 River Dr., Box 489, Plover, WI 54467	715-344-2526	715-344-7324		Okray Family Farms Field Manager (www.okray.com)
YESKA	DAN	Healthy Grown producer
BUSSAN	AJ	Advisory and Executive Committee Member	1575 Linden Dr	608-262-3519			UW-Madison, Horticulture
COLQUHOUN	Jed	Advisory and Executive Committee Member	1575 Linden Dr, Madison, WI 53706	608-890-0980			UW-Madison, Horticulture
CARTER	Mike	Advisory Committee Member	Rosholt, WI	715-677-4533			Bushmans, Inc.
MAATZ	Duane	Advisory and Executive Committee Member	P.O. Box 327, Antigo, WI 54409-0327	715-623-7683	715-623-3176		WPVGA

Document title	Description	Date	File
Alsum Farms	Grower Profile of Alsum Farms	8/1/2005	Alsum.pdf
Anthony Farms	Grower Profile of Anthony Farms	8/1/2005	Anthony.pdf
American Vegetable Grower Article	Healthy Grown Article called "A Recipe for Success"	9/1/2002	AVG Cover Story reprint.pdf
Bula Farms	Grower Profile of Bula Farms	8/1/2005	Bula.pdf
Accelerating Industry-Wide Transition to Reduced-Risk Pest Management Systems: A Case Study of the Wisconsin Potato Industry	Publication from Choices Magazine	10/1/2000	choicesfinal.pdf
Coloma Farms	Grower Profile of Coloma Farms (Diercks)	8/1/2005	Diercks.pdf
Wisconsin Eco-Potato Tour Guide Book	WWF/WPVGA/UW Collaboration National Tour	8/1/2002	Eco-potato%20Book.pdf
Healthy Grown Brochure	Brochure	9/1/2007	HG%20Broch.pdf
Isherwood Co.	Grower Profile of Isherwood Farms	8/1/2005	Isherwood.pdf
Kincaid Farms	Grower Profile of Kincaid Farms	8/1/2005	Kincaid.pdf
Kuczmarski Farms	Grower Profile of Kuczmarksi Farms	8/1/2005	Kuczmarski.pdf
Okray Family Farms	Grower Profile of Okray Farmily Farms	8/1/2005	Okray.pdf
Companion documentation to the WI eco-potato standard	Detailed description of the development and implementation of the WI eco-potato standard	5/1/2006	policypaper009.pdf
Plover River Farms	Grower Profile of Plover River Farms (Nick Somers)	8/1/2005	Somers.pdf
Measuring Progress in Reducing Reliance on High-Risk Pesticides in Wisconsin Potato Production	Publication in Journal of Potato Research	9/1/2002	toxpaperfinalnoln.pdf
WI Eco-potato Update	General information about the program	9/1/2007	Update3.pdf
Wallendal Supply Inc	Grower Profile of Wallendal Farms	8/1/2004	Wallendal.pdf
Wisconsin Eco-Potato Standard	Environmental Standard for Healthy Grown Potatoes	5/1/2008	Collaboration_standard_01_09.pdf
Prairie Star Ranch	Grower Profile of Prairie Star Ranch (Wolosek)	8/1/2004	Wolosek.pdf
USDA Honors Successful Eco-Potato Partnership	Award news release	6/13/2004	wwf-wpvgaaward%20release.pdf