Crop Connection

Numerous election results released

The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection recently certified the 2025 Wisconsin Ginseng Board of Wisconsin election results. Kirk Baumann and Danny Krueger, both of Wausau, began three-year terms on the board July 1, 2025. The Ginseng Board of Wisconsin is composed of seven at-large producers who are responsible for administering Wisconsin's Ginseng Marketing Order. The board oversees the collection and use of approximately $210,000 in assessment fees paid by Wisconsin ginseng growers. The funding is used to support the ginseng industry through research, education and promotion of Wisconsin-grown ginseng. 

The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection recently certified the 2025 Wisconsin Cherry Board election results. Chris Lautenbach of Fish Creek and Jim Seaquist of Ellison Bay began three-year terms as elected members of the board July 1, 2025. The Wisconsin Cherry Board is composed of five at-large members who are responsible for administering Wisconsin’s Cherry Marketing Order. The board oversees the collection and use of approximately $60,000 in assessment fees paid by Wisconsin cherry growers. The funding is used to support the cherry industry through research, education and promotion of Wisconsin-grown cherries. 

The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection recently certified the 2025 Wisconsin Potato Industry Board election results. Three growers began three-year terms on the Wisconsin Potato Industry Board July 1, 2025. District 1 elected Keith Wolter of Antigo. District 2 elected Andy Diercks of Coloma. The at-large grower elected was Joseph E. Seis of Grand Marsh. The Wisconsin Potato Industry Board is composed of nine growers in three districts across the state, with one at-large member elected every third year. The board oversees the collection and use of more than $2 million in assessment fees paid by Wisconsin potato growers. The funding is used to support the potato industry through research, education and promotion of Wisconsin-grown potatoes. Visit https://datcp.wi.gov/Pages/About_Us/MarketingBoards.aspx for more information.

Board elections open

Soybean growers in three Wisconsin Soybean Marketing Board districts have through August 15 to vote for candidates for three open seats in the 2025 election. Three of the seven districts that make up the board have an open seat this year, and each has one nominee. District 3's nominee is David Justman of Platteville. District 4's nominee is Jonathan Gibbs of Fox Lake. District 5's nominee is Patrick M. Mullooly of Clinton. The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection is mailing ballots to eligible soybean growers. Elected growers will serve three-year terms beginning September 1, 2025.

The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection recently certified three nominees who are eligible to be elected to three seats on the Wisconsin Cranberry Board. They are Amber Bristow of Warrens, Jon Duckart of Wisconsin Rapids and Rochelle Hoffman of Tomah. Ballots are due by Aug. 15. Elected producers will serve three-year terms beginning September 1, 2025. The Wisconsin Cranberry Board is composed of seven producers across the state. The board oversees the collection and use of approximately $547,000 in assessment fees paid by Wisconsin cranberry growers. The funding is used to support the cranberry industry through research, education and the promotion of Wisconsin-grown cranberries. Visit datcp.wi.gov/Pages/About_Us/MarketingBoards.aspx for more information.

USDA to forecast grape production

Starting at the end of July, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service will mail the Grape Inquiry - August 2025 survey to about 2,000 U.S. growers. The survey asks for grape acreage and projected production. The National Agricultural Statistics Service will forecast 2025 grape production based on the information collected. Growers can respond to the survey securely online at agcounts.usda.gov, by mail or fax. The information provided is protected and confidential in accordance with federal law. The 2025 U.S. grape forecast will be released Aug. 12 in the Crop Production report. Visit nass.usda.gov or call 888-424-7828 for more information.

Course offered to manage invasive species

Learn how to manage invasive plants in Introduction to Invasive Species Management, a two-day hybrid program led by University of Illinois-Extension educators that starts with a day of online learning Aug. 5, followed by a regional hands-on field day available from Aug. 6 to 9. At the online learning day, participants will explore the basics of invasive species ecology, invasive plant identification and management principles. The field days are an opportunity to get an understanding of invasive species in the region, identify plants, review commonly used management tools and see demonstrations of management techniques. The program is open to early-career natural resource professionals, landowners, volunteers, students and anyone interested in gaining experience managing invasive species. Participants will obtain a certificate of course completion from Illinois Extension for attending both days. The $20 registration fee includes lunch on the field day. Sign up by Aug. 4. Visit go.illinois.edu/IntroInvasives for more information.