Wilk Farms Kicks Off Potato Planting Season in Northern Michigan
As spring takes hold in northern Michigan, Wilk Farms is gearing up for its annual potato planting season. Established in 1927 by Paul Wilk, the third-generation family business continues to thrive through dedication and hard work. Currently, families are relieved by the arrival of warmer weather, ideal for planting, despite challenges like wet fields and debris from recent ice storms.
By mid-May, the farm will start planting certified potato seed from Wisconsin, a crucial step that takes two weeks and is vital for ensuring high-quality crops. Farmers must carefully prepare the soil, apply fertilizers, and manage various threats, including deer and pests that can threaten young plants.
Throughout summer, the Wilk family and their dedicated team oversee the crops closely, addressing concerns such as fungal diseases and pest infestations. This meticulous management approach ensures the health of both the plants and tubers, which requires strict regulation and certification to apply pesticides.
Once harvested around September, the potatoes are stored for a couple of weeks to toughen their skins before the grading process begins. The farm specializes in table stock production, focusing on the quality required for major grocery outlets.
The grading and packing process is rigorous; potatoes are sorted for size and defects to meet market demands. Each order typically requires thousands of pounds, with logistics managed to ensure they reach warehouses in states like Indiana and Kentucky.
As the planting cycle begins anew, Wilk Farms continues its legacy of quality potato farming, symbolizing resilience and community in rural Michigan.
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