For Curt Watson of Edgerton, tobacco is more than just a crop. It’s a family tradition. That’s why he continues to plant the crop year after year despite the plant being an oddity in Wisconsin.
“It’s almost a thing of the past,” says Curt Watson. As a fourth-generation tobacco farmer, Watson is doing everything he can to keep this unique crop alive in The Badger State. He says that with the money not being there and difficulties finding help, many of the tobacco growers in Wisconsin have stopped growing the crop. This leaves only a handful of tobacco farmers in the state.
Watson has 6.5 acres of tobacco on his property in Edgerton. The plot of land dedicated to tobacco is some of the better soil on Curt’s property. With the planting operation he currently has it takes his team roughly two hours to plant a single acre. “I really enjoy it,” he says, “I honestly like to watch my kids work in tobacco…I think they get the benefit of a work ethic.”
The tobacco planting this year went very well, the Rock County farmer explains. “We didn’t have to fight Mother Nature for rain all the time….got off to a good start now hopefully we just get a shot of rain.” Watson says that tobacco thrives in dry, sandier soil and when on higher ground. “It’s a dry weather crop,” he exclaims. Watson is not sure what the future brings, but he is going to do everything he can to keep tobacco alive in Wisconsin.
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