Protected Harvest
 

Protected Harvest certifies Wisconsin potato producers that have met strict, biointensive IPM production and pesticide standards developed in collaboration with the World Wildlife Fund, the University of Wisconsin and the Wisconsin Potato and Vegetable Growers Association. These potatoes are marketing under the "Healthy Grown" brand.

Evaluation criteria include scouting and pest management in the field through storage, with soil and water quality standards under development.

Inspections are performed by Sue Bellman of Great Lakes Ag Research and her staff. Bellman was trained and certified as an IPM ecolabel inspector by the IPM Institute in 2001.

According to Deana Sexson, Biointensive IPM Coordinator for the University of Wisconsin Cooperative Extension, "In 2001, over 1.6 million pounds of potatoes were sold under the ‘Healthy Grown’ brand. Getting the potatoes into the market place has been a slow process, but sales during 2002 have exceeded grower expectations, and Healthy Grown potatoes are now seen in mainstream grocery stores including Copps, Cub Foods, Woodmans and Whole Foods."

Approximately 250 stores carry Healthy Grown potatoes, throughout the Midwest and East Coast of the United States. For a complete list of participating grocery stores visit the Protected Harvest Website at www.protectedharvest.org.

Protected Harvest recently announced a new grant from US EPA Region IX to establish standards for dairy, almonds, tomatoes and stone fruit in California's San Joaquin Valley. Protected Harvest is well on its way towards reaching its goal of 20 new partnerships in the next four years to develop standards for new crops.

To read the entire article visit:   www.ipminstitute.org