The Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association (WPVGA) has released findings that are making people take notice of Wisconsin’s massive vegetable production and distribution statistics. Through its now famous “Did You Know?” informational series, the WPVGA places Wisconsin as the second-largest grower and processor of potatoes and vegetables in the U.S.
According to WPVA executive director Duane Maatz, “We might be known as America’s Dairyland, but, truth be told, we should also be referred to as America’s Land of Potatoes and Vegetables.” Statistics show that Wisconsin is the county’s largest producer of green beans, carrots, red beets and lima beans, and ranks third in the U.S. for potato production.
Maatz continued, “The economic impact of our crop production is really quite impressive. According to the UW-Extension and the University of Wisconsin – Madison, our vegetable production and processing accounts for 35,000 jobs and $6.4 billion in economic activity. Those are eye-opening numbers.”
In referencing the report “Economic Impact of Specialty Crop Production and Processing in Wisconsin,” Maatz said some other revealing statistics have caught notice. Wisconsin grows 40 percent of all green beans in the U.S., 20 percent of all sweet corn and 20 percent of all green peas.
“We’re extremely proud of our ranking as the second-largest producing and processing state in the country for potatoes and vegetables,” said Maatz. “We add stability to the economy, we create valuable jobs, and best of all, we put healthy foods on the tables of not just Wisconsinites, but also many Americans and families across the world.”