On Thursday, February 20, Wisconsin Healthy Grown® potatoes and growers will be featured on “Wisconsin Foodie,” a PBS Wisconsin TV show airing at 7:30 p.m. CST. The Wisconsin Healthy Grown® Program started in the mid-1990s as a cooperative effort involving the Wisconsin Potato and Vegetable Growers Association, the World Wildlife Fund and researchers at CALS. The program helps Wisconsin potato growers utilize sustainable practices and communicate those methods to consumers.

The Wisconsin Healthy Grown® brand was launched in 2002 as a clear marker of a sustainable standard for growing potatoes. Today, each Wisconsin Healthy Grown® farms is certified by an independent organization, growers must pass annual audits, and packers and shippers have to maintain the highest sustainability standards.

Thursday’s episode of Wisconsin Foodie will visit Wisconsin Healthy Grown® potato growers and farms and will introduce viewers to sustainable growing methods. The TV crew spent time filming at Hancock Agricultural Research Station and interviewed Hancock staff members Paul Sytsma and Amber Walker. Several growers that collaborate regularly with CALS researchers were are also interviewed for the episode.

Wisconsin Foodie is an educational and independent series hosted by Luke Zahm, owner and chef of Driftless Café in Viroqua, WI. Read the news release for more information about Wisconsin Foodie and the upcoming episode. Thursday’s episode will be added to the “Wisconsin Foodie” YouTube channel after airing.