Fawn Gottschalk, at the age of 46, is deeply rooted in the cranberry industry, having grown up on her family's farm, Gottschalk Cranberry, located in Wood County, Wisconsin. With a degree in accounting from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, she returned to the farm in 2002, joining her parents, Guy and Kathy Gottschalk. The farm, originally purchased by her grandfather Robert Gottschalk in 1940, has been expanded over the years to its current size of 232 acres of cranberry vines across 65 beds, supported by an additional 1,500 acres of land.
The operation is now managed by Fawn, her brother Andy, and a dedicated team comprising five full-time employees year-round, with an additional five to six seasonal workers during the peak periods from spring through harvest. Andy focuses on the operational aspects, while Fawn oversees the business side. The next generation has also begun to take part in the farm's operations, with Fawn's son, River, starting full-time work after earning his associate's degree in agricultural business management.
Cranberries, a perennial plant, thrive on low-running vines in sandy marshes. The Gottschalks cultivate six varieties, including three hybrids developed at UW-Madison, which show improved yields over older varieties planted in the 1950s and 1960s. Harvesting, which begins in early September and concludes by the end of October, involves flooding the marshes to facilitate the collection of the berries, which float due to air pockets within them.
The farm's produce is part of the Ocean Spray Cooperative, contributing to the production of various cranberry products. Despite the challenges posed by weather, such as hail, the 2024 season was notably productive for the Gottschalks, aligning with a potentially record year for cranberry production in Wisconsin. Following harvest, the farm prepares for the next season, with activities including flooding the beds for winter protection and managing the cranberry vines for the upcoming growth cycle.
Fawn Gottschalk reflects on the farm as more than just a place of work; it represents a lifestyle intertwined with nature, family, and tradition—a sentiment she believes will continue to attract future generations to the cranberry farming legacy.
Source: FarmProgress