Wisconsin Healthy Grown Project
The Wisconsin “Healthy Grown” program works to advance growers’ use of biointensive Integrated Pest Management (IPM) systems, efficiently manage inputs, and enhance ecosystem conservation efforts by certifying under the “Healthy Grown” potato, onion and carrot standards. “Healthy Grown” high-bar standards promote agricultural sustainability and enhance environmental farming systems and puts Wisconsin growers in a position to capture the expanding consumer demand for sustainable options in the marketplace. “Healthy Grown” encourages education between growers and University of Wisconsin–Madison specialists and this individualized interaction and educational process has proven to be very successful and valuable to the industry.
Outcomes
Healthy Grown high-bar, certificated produce (potatoes, carrots and onions) worked to promote an environmentally sound, ecologically-based production system, and helps place the Wisconsin growers in line with marketplace needs and incentives for sustainable products. Growers have received positive press and national attention for being active in this award-winning program. “Healthy Grown” promotes sustainability programs on farms, and with the documented improvements, growers have experienced benefits (including enhanced public relations, better educational tools, and readiness for regulatory/auditing actions) and therefore, are thriving by producing certified, “Healthy Grown” produce.
Focus Areas
Project Leader
Deana Knuteson
BioIPM Field Coordinator
- Department/Unit
- Horticulture
- School or College
- College of Agricultural and Life Sciences