WISCONSIN RAPIDS (WGBA)--The United States is the largest producer of cranberries in the world and Wisconsin itself produces about two thirds of the country's supply.
Standing on what used to be Glacial Lake Wisconsin around 18,000 years ago, the sand and sediment left over as well as a high-water table and acidic soil set the perfect conditions for a fruit that is only native to North America, the Cranberry.
Glacial Lake Cranberries is one of many companies across Central Wisconsin that grow and harvest this fruit. Running a commercial operation since 1873, the farm covers 6,000 acres, 338 acres in the form of cranberry production, 3000 acres in their reservoir system, and 2600 acres in a forestry management plan.
“It’s a diverse system, and it’s not just about one thing, it really is a system and they all are very complimentary." Said Mary Brazeau Brown, Owner Glacial Lake Cranberries.
The Cranberry is a slow growing perennial, roughly 2 inches per year. The fruit is initially light green, but turns red when it gets ripe. While it has an acidic taste, it is full of antioxidants and is well known for its role in preventing urinary tract infections.
By the beginning of autumn, the crop is ready to be harvested and it is quite the process.
“So cranberries actually grow where it’s dry, they require a lot of water. We require water for harvesting, and for winter protection." Said Mary Brazeau Brown, Owner Glacial Lake Cranberries.
For each acre of cranberries grown, there needs to be 10 acres of a water reservoir. The water is gravity fed through flooding ditches which gradually floods the bed with just enough water for the cranberries to float up. Cranberries are able to float because of tiny air pockets inside of them.
A harrower machine then comes in and rakes the cranberries off the vine. Soon after, more water is pumped in so that the berries can float freely across the bed.
To collect all the berries, a cranboom is placed on top of the flooded bed to surround them. The boom is slowly pulled to one corner of the bed with all the berries wrapped inside.
This is where a loader and a truck awaits. Workers continue to push the berries and tighten the cranboom to help with the process of loading the cranberries.
Once the bed is harvested, the truck takes the cranberries and empties its load off at the receiving station.
“Trucks from the beds, they go to our receiving stations where they go through a series of degrasses, air cleaners, a grater, an optical sorter, before being put into 1200 pound totes and then the berries get taken right to a freezer.” Said Mary Brazeau Brown, Owner Glacial Lake Cranberries.
This farm on average grows around 10 million pounds of fruit a year. It is quite the operation and requires a lot of helping hands. Four other families live on the farm year-round as well as the assistance of Mary’s son and daughter.
“You know you work for it all year long, and here we are." Said Mary Brazeau Brown, Owner Glacial Lake Cranberries.
So the next time you decide to snack on some craisins, more than likely they came here from the Badger State.
