Spudman May/June 2023 - 8

Heartland Farms employs
technology including real-time rain
gauges and variable-rate irrigation
in the field to react to rainfall as it
happens. Photos: Heartland Farms
Heartland Farms
Pavelski family farm has deep roots in proactive conservation
By Todd Foltz
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
S
ustainability was a good century
away from even becoming a
word, much less a marketing
slogan or even an economic guiding
principle, when the Pavelski family
founded Heartland Farms in 1873 in
Hancock, Wisconsin.
The concept of sustainability as it
is known today first came into use in
1972. But for the Pavelski family, which
emigrated to Wisconsin from Poland,
being proactive conservators of the land
has always been part and parcel of its
approach to farming.
Nearly a quarter of the way through
the 21st century, Heartland Farms now
boasts about 27,000 irrigated acres of
chipping potatoes, canning peas, green
beans, sweet corn and soybeans. Owner
8
Spudman * May/June 2023
Richard Pavelski said that the farm is
dedicated to sustainability and best
management practices.
" We want to use less energy and less
water and produce higher yields and
better quality, " he said. " Technology lets
us do that. It gives us access to more
information more quickly, and that
lets us react to growing conditions in a
more efficient way. "
IRRIGATION SYSTEMS
For example, Pavelski said, using
real-time rain gauges and variable-rate
irrigation in the field lets Heartland
personnel react to rainfall as it happens.
In any rain event, part of a 160-acre
field might get half an inch of rain,
while another part gets three inches.
Real-time rain gauges with remote
controls lets staff turn off sprinklers
without having to drive out to the fields,
" Have fun! This is the
most important part,
because if you are not
having fun doing it, it
will be hard to succeed.
Farming is challenging ...
period. Invest in yourself,
your team, knowledge
and technology. "
- Richard Pavelski,
Heartland Farms
reducing water use and saving wear and
tear on equipment.
" In our operations, that can reduce
reaction time by two hours, which can

Spudman May/June 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Spudman May/June 2023

Editor's Letter
Table of Contents
Heartland farms
Growing uncertainty
Connecting the dots
Potatoes USA: Where do chips and fries fit?
National Potato Council: Setting sights on Japan
Idaho Potato Commission: Positive impacts
Potato Sustainability Alliance: Water stewardship
Upcoming events
Advertiser Index
Spudman May/June 2023 - 1
Spudman May/June 2023 - 2
Spudman May/June 2023 - 3
Spudman May/June 2023 - Editor's Letter
Spudman May/June 2023 - 5
Spudman May/June 2023 - Table of Contents
Spudman May/June 2023 - 7
Spudman May/June 2023 - Heartland farms
Spudman May/June 2023 - 9
Spudman May/June 2023 - 10
Spudman May/June 2023 - 11
Spudman May/June 2023 - Growing uncertainty
Spudman May/June 2023 - 13
Spudman May/June 2023 - 14
Spudman May/June 2023 - 15
Spudman May/June 2023 - Connecting the dots
Spudman May/June 2023 - 17
Spudman May/June 2023 - 18
Spudman May/June 2023 - 19
Spudman May/June 2023 - 20
Spudman May/June 2023 - 21
Spudman May/June 2023 - Potatoes USA: Where do chips and fries fit?
Spudman May/June 2023 - National Potato Council: Setting sights on Japan
Spudman May/June 2023 - Idaho Potato Commission: Positive impacts
Spudman May/June 2023 - Potato Sustainability Alliance: Water stewardship
Spudman May/June 2023 - Advertiser Index
Spudman May/June 2023 - 27
Spudman May/June 2023 - 28
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