2021 Food and Agribusiness of the Year
For Immediate Release
Contact:
Nora Nolden, Communications Consultant
[email protected] or (651) 245-6804
Alsum Farms & Produce Named 2021 Compeer Financial Food & Agribusiness of the Year
Grand Marsh, Wis., (October 19, 2021) – Compeer Financial, a Farm Credit cooperative based in the Upper Midwest, is pleased to announce Alsum Farms & Produce as the recipient of the organization’s 2021 Food & Agribusiness of the Year Award. The award recognizes businesses in the agricultural supply chain that have shown leadership in innovation, agricultural advocacy, community outreach and client service.
Headquartered in Friesland, Wis., with locations in Grand Marsh and Arena, Alsum Farms & Produce is vertically integrated – growing, sourcing, packing and shipping many potato varieties. The operation also grows and distributes onions and pumpkins, and partners with family farms across the nation to deliver a wide variety of fresh fruits and vegetables to grocers year-round.
Alsum Farms, which started in 1973, produces approximately 200 million pounds of potatoes every year. They employ 225 people full-time.
“The Alsum family has a rich history in the potato industry,” said Cathy Schommer, senior focused lending specialist at Compeer Financial. “They’ve found their niche in the market and have helped to build a strong industry with their involvement in national potato organizations, collaboration with other farmers and their commitment to sustainability.”
President and CEO Larry Alsum oversees the family-owned operation, alongside his daughters, Wendy Alsum-Dykstra and Heidi Alsum-Randall, who are preparing to eventually take over the operation.
“Our vision is to be a leader in the fresh produce industry,” said Alsum-Dykstra, chief operating officer of logistics and maintenance. “To do that, our entire team has to be committed to innovation and looking for opportunities across the entire operation. It also takes a lot of collaboration between our growers, suppliers, other business partners and industry associations. Part of our success at Alsum has been in working with people we trust, especially our employees, as we meet the needs of our customers and feed families across the nation.”
Compeer Financial introduced the new Food & Agribusiness of the Year Award in 2021, recognizing businesses in the agricultural supply chain that have shown leadership in innovation, agricultural advocacy, community outreach and client service.
“Compeer Financial understands the vital role agribusinesses like Alsum Farms & Produce play on a local, regional and national level,” explained Ty Rohloff, senior food and agribusiness lending specialist at Compeer. “We are proud to recognize Alsum for their commitment to advocating for agriculture, their robust outreach in the communities they serve and their strong dedication to stewardship and sustainability.”
“We are thankful and pleased to be recognized,” said Larry Alsum. “What an honor it is for us to have a great team who farms to feed the world, while conserving and taking care of our resources. It’s a great privilege.”
Watch the 2021 Food and Agribusiness of the Year video to learn more about Alsum Farms & Produce.
Nominations for Compeer Financial’s 2022 Food and Agribusiness of the Year Award will open in early 2022. Learn more about the award and eligibility criteria.
About Compeer Financial
Compeer Financial is a member-owned Farm Credit cooperative serving and supporting agriculture and rural communities. The $25.5 billion organization provides loans, leases, risk management and other financial services throughout 144 counties in Illinois, Minnesota and Wisconsin. Based in the Upper Midwest, Compeer Financial exists to champion the hopes and dreams of rural America, while providing personalized service and expertise to clients and the agriculture industry.
Compeer Financial is the third largest cooperative of the Farm Credit System, a nationwide network of lending institutions supporting agriculture and rural communities with reliable, consistent credit and financial services. Learn more about Compeer Financial.
-30-