While much of Wisconsin’s attention is on corn and soybeans this fall, the state’s most colorful harvest is taking place in the cranberry marshes. Dave Zawistowski of Lake Nokomis Cranberries in Eagle River says this year’s harvest is running smoothly, even if yields won’t match last year’s crop.
“We typically start harvesting right after Labor Day,” he says. “We should be done probably the second week in October.”
Zawistowski and his family operate three cranberry marshes and welcome visitors each fall to witness the vibrant red berries floating on the flooded bogs. Half of his crop goes to Ocean Spray, the grower-owned cooperative founded in 1930, and the other half to Mariani, the world’s largest family-owned dried fruit company.
“Craisins is our number one product that’s produced by the cranberries. And then second would be juice,” he explains. “We actually have started a gift store on the farm, and we sell all these cranberry products there. We’ve got cranberry Craisins in every flavor. We got everything from watermelon flavored to chocolate covered.”
As for the growing season, Zawistowski says weather and wildfire smoke made conditions more challenging this year.
“I think the smoke from Canada is kind of playing into our crop more than we think,” he says. “An important part of getting a good crop is to get the get it pollinated. If it’s smoky, the bees stay in the hives; they won’t come out. So if you have a few days of that smoky Canadian weather, that particular variety may not get pollinated the way it should.”
Despite the smaller yield, the harvest remains a seasonal highlight and a reminder of why Wisconsin continues to lead the nation in cranberry production.
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