our growers
Wisconsin
In Wisconsin, cranberries are our leading fruit crop, in terms of both acreage and value. Berry cultivation began here around 1860. In the early days, marshes were developed by digging ditches around existing stands of native vines and nurturing their growth. Today, planted vines cover about 18,000 acres in 19 of our state's counties. And as a group, we cranberry growers own and manage an additional 120,000+ acres, which works out to approximately seven acres of support lands per one acre of cranberry vine.
The Bible family
Family stats:
- Black River Falls, Wisconsin,
- 2nd Generation
"We'd like to see our kids enjoy the same sort of satisfaction that we do from growing cranberries."
- Jim BibleFor us, cranberry growing is a lifestyle. We enjoy running our own family business, working outdoors, doing something different every day. And growing a unique, native fruit crop with so many health benefits is also rewarding. We're proud to be a part of the Ocean Spray family. Our 22-year-old daughter, Rachel, is now very interested in cranberry production. Even our 7-year-old twins help out on the farm from time to time. Keeping the business in the family is important to us, so it's great to see their enthusiasm.
The Detlefsen family
Family stats:
- Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin,
- 5th Generation
"It's a beautiful setting to be outside every day, to enjoy the wildlife and enjoy the environment."
- Robert DetlefsenWe're one of the oldest family farms in Wisconsin - 138 years old, to be exact - and we still love the lifestyle. We walk right out our door and we're at work. Luckily, it's the kind of work you don't much mind taking home with you. The best time is on a cold, frosty morning when you're running sprinklers at sunrise - you see the sun coming up over the frosty bogs and you see the sunlight glistening off the sprinklers and ice. It's breathtaking. The land is a true blessing.
The Grygleski family
Family stats:
- Tomah, Wisconsin, Wisconsin,
- 3rd Generation
Every year I make homemade cranberry fruit roll ups for the several school groups that come to tour at harvest time. They are a favorite among the kids!.
- Ann GrygleskiI suppose that after 50 years you start to appreciate the idea that you're really part of something big. I'll bet, back in the 1930s, when my grandfather lived in a rundown shack at Cranberry Lake marsh, he never in a million years dreamed that his work there would lead to something as big as this. Being part of the Ocean Spray co-op would be a real source of pride for him. I know it sure is for us.
The Dempze family
Family stats:
- Wisconsin Rapids,
- 4th Generation
"I love the fact that we are producing really healthy products that not only benefit our local community, but are now being shipped all over the world."
- Heidi DobbsA quality cranberry comes from quality operations. That's my belief. My family has been able to sustain our farm for over 100 years, and that's something we are proud of. After spending some time working in the corporate business field, I feel so privileged to work on my family farm. I have found that for me, this is where I'm most at home.