The Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association (WPVGA) Hall of Fame honors lifetime achievement in the development of the state’s potato industry.
Born in Tomahawk, Wisconsin, Ron Krueger lived on a dairy farm, in Irma. The farm had been in the family since the early part of the 1900’s.
Krueger is a graduate of Tomahawk High School and attended the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. He began his career in 1977 as the farm supervisor for the Frito-Lay Genetics research farm, in Starks, Wisconsin. After 15 years with Frito-Lay, he moved on to become the general manager for Felix Zeloski Farms. He stayed for 30 years before his retirement in 2022. Felix Zeloski Farms became Eagle River Seed Farm, LLC, in 2014.
In his career, Krueger oversaw the growing of 1,100 acres of early generation certified seed potatoes, certified seed oats, barley, wheat, soybeans, and also clover.
Krueger was active in the WPVGA, serving four three-year terms on the Board of Directors. This includes a term as president in 2005. He was co-chair of the WPVGA Research Committee for over 20 years and served on the WPVGA Government Affairs and SpudPro committees. He worked on the SpudPro Committee from its inception until his retirement.
Krueger also sat on the Board of the Wisconsin Seed Potato Improvement Association for two separate five-year terms. This included four years as president.
Krueger’s awards and honors include the 2006 and 2014 WPVGA Volunteer of the Year Award, 2013 Wisconsin Seed Potato Industry Leadership Award, 2007 Frito-Lay Seed Supplier of the Year honor, as well as National Potato Council Environmental Stewardship Award.
In his free time, Krueger enjoys golf, hunting, boating and woodworking. He and his wife, Mary, have two daughters, Kara and Katee, five grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. He and Mary will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on September 21st of this year.
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