Wisconsin growers can vote on potato board nominees until June 16

Three nominees to the Wisconsin Industry Potato Board have been certified, and potato growers have until June 16 to vote on the candidates.

The trio was certified by the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) and nominated during the period that ended March 28.

District 1

Keith Wolter of Antigo is the District 1 nominee. District 1 represents the following counties: 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.

District 2

Andy Diercks of Coloma is the District 2 nominee District 2 represents Marathon, Outagamie, Portage, Shawano, Waupaca and Waushara counties.

At-large

Joseph E. Seis of Grand Marsh is the at-large nominee, representing producers statewide.

Elected producers will serve three-year terms beginning July 1.

DATCP will mail ballots to eligible potato growers this week. Growers who have not received a ballot by May 20 can request one at DATCPMarketOrders@wisconsin.gov.

Eligible growers can vote for the candidate in their respective district or write in the name of another eligible producer. Completed ballots must be emailed to DATCPMarketOrders@wisconsin.gov or postmarked to DATCP Market Orders Program, P.O. Box 8911, Madison, Wisconsin, 53708 on or before June 16.

The Wisconsin Potato Industry Board includes nine producers in three districts, with one at-large member elected every third year. The board administers the collection and use of approximately $2 million in assessment fees paid by Wisconsin potato growers. The fees are used to support industry research, education and promotion.