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16 POTATO GROWER | APRIL 2020 D oes absence from the potato farm make the heart grow fonder? In talking to young potato and vegetable growers, most were encouraged to find their own paths before deciding on a career in farming. Like the proverbial mother bird pushing her chick from the nest to fly, 20- and 30-something potato growers say their parents encouraged them to work off the farm or attend college or tech school before making any life decisions. "I wasn't required, but strongly encouraged to explore options in schooling after high school, in any field I desired," says Curtis Gagas of Gagas Farms in Stevens Point, Wis. "I knew I'd probably stay on the farm, so I looked into tech school programs, but ended up going with UW- Madison's Farm & Industry Short Course." "I'm glad I attended school and went with the short course," says Gagas, who now holds a certificate in crop and soil sciences. "They offer one- or two-year programs that run from late November through March. It works out excellent for kids who want to go to school and continue working on the farm. Getting a taste of college life is also an interesting, fun experience." Though Gagas recognizes the benefits of having kids work off the farm for a period of time, like learning responsibilities such as being on time, gaining a work ethic, following orders from supervisors and practicing time management, he also points to downsides. "On the other hand," he says, "I feel these core responsibilities are already ingrained in farm kids. Companies know that farm kids can work and are probably some of the best employees they'll come across." COMPETING OFFERS "When the time comes for the kids to leave the farm, the family may have a hard time competing with wages and benefits they can receive elsewhere," Gagas says. "Also, you are constantly learning about farming, at any age in your life, just by farming. Any time away from the farm, you may be missing out on lessons needed in the future." Wendy Dykstra, the daughter of a successful potato grower in Larry Alsum, received a master of professional accountancy degree from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. She serves as chief operating officer of logistics and For young producers, leaving the farm for school or work and eventually returning has its benefits. By Joe Kertzman for the Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association Spreading Their Wings J.D. Schroeder (top center) says his parents expected the kids to go to college, and then left the choice of returning to the farm up to them. J.D. is shown in the tractor during potato hilling with his wife, Hannah, their children John Winston and Ellie.