Anthony Farms Named 2007 Grower Achievement Award Winner

Anthony Farms of Scandinavia, Wisconsin, was honored as the winner of American Vegetable Grower magazine's 2007 Grower Achievement Award. The winner was announced as part of the United Fresh Produce Association's Washington Public Policy Conference.

The Grower Achievement Award honors vegetable growers for excellence in marketing efforts, innovative food quality and safety procedures, industry leadership, and community outreach. The award is sponsored by Syngenta Seeds/ROGERS® Brand, and is presented by Meister Media Worldwide, publisher of American Vegetable Grower®, American Fruit Grower®, Western Fruit Grower™, and Florida Grower™ magazines, in cooperation with United Fresh Produce Association. Nominations for the 2007 Grower Achievement Award were solicited from growers, researchers, vegetable associations, and allied industry members from across the country.

"Consumer-oriented marketing efforts, a commitment to food quality and safety, industry leadership, and giving back to the community - this is a story we are proud to share," said Rosemary Gordon, editor of American Vegetable Grower magazine during the presentation. "Successful marketing techniques and the ability to put the latest technology to good use on the farm are just a couple examples why this operation is the 2007 winner."

Victor and Chris Anthony started the farming operation 45 years ago, selling the vegetables they grew on their 260-acre farm to retail food stores. Today, the couple manages 5000 acres of potatoes, sweet corn, beans for processing, and alfalfa while maintaining their commitment to serving customers with quality produce and giving back to the industry and community.

"The Lord has made this land available for us to use," says Victor. "We want to leave this soil in better condition than when we found it."

The company participates in Wisconsin’s Healthy Grown program, started more than 10 years ago through a collaborative effort by the Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association, the World Wildlife Fund, the University of Wisconsin and other conservation groups. In order to be a part of the program, the operation follows strict farming practices and standards. Anthony Farms also participates in regular food safety programs and has instituted a food traceback program to trace foods, fertilizers and crop inputs back to the fields where they were grown or applied. The company also actively provides for the community through donation of food to the local food pantry and the Christmas gift basket program.

"Being a leader in the industry and striving for excellence are goals we strive for and goals Anthony Farms has achieved," says Dan Burdett, Head of Vegetables NAFTA for Syngenta Seeds. "The Grower Achievement Award is acknowledgement of excellence and commitment to the agriculture industry and is an award well-deserved by Anthony Farms."

For more information on the Grower Achievement Award, see the September issue of American Vegetable Grower magazine or visit www.growerachievementaward.com.

The 2007 Grower Achievement award was sponsored by: