Early this spring, our Horticulture Chair and grower Nicole Hansen chatted with us about everything from sustainability on the cranberry marsh to how she got started in the industry. Nicole was recently awarded the Service to Industry Award by Wisconsin State Cranberry Grower’s Association!
Question: How did you get involved in cranberry farming?
Answer: I grew up on a dairy farm, so I was in the agriculture space from a young age. I went off to school to study biology and chemistry and was working towards my Master’s when I started working for a consultant in cranberry pest management during the summer. An opportunity opened up at Cranberry Creek for someone to take care of the plants.
When we looked at the position, we knew agriculture was a great field to raise a family in, so we had that in mind. There are so many opportunities to teach children life skills in this field. We knew this was a great opportunity to raise a family and have an enriching career.
Question: We understand that your area of expertise is horticulture. Can you share with us how you became interested in the area, and some of the decisions you make day to day?
Answer: With a science and IPM background, I wanted to be involved in the entire process, including with the care of the plants year-round. I was interested in understanding what influences them and how you can continue to innovate within them. I wanted to learn about how to produce a crop. I grew up in non-glaciated Wisconsin, so we did not use any chemicals. As soon as we got into decisions recommending pest management strategies for cranberries, I immediately wanted to be involved in what decisions we were making on the farm, and I had a drive to learn more.
From a day-to-day perspective, I take care of all of the plant decisions such as irrigation, nutrition and insects. Working hand in hand with our amazing marsh managers. Also working with flooding, sanding and operations from that standpoint. Growing up in the non-glaciated region provided me with a great background in the different soil types and the many variables impacting them.
Question: As a cranberry grower, what does a balanced approach to sustainability mean to you?
Answer: A balanced approach to sustainability touches economic, environmental, and social. For us, cranberry growing is a way of life. A place we raise our kids, our families, our food, and our cranberries. We do all of this in harmony. When you look at this vision, you touch on all three of these sustainability pillars. The decisions we make impact all of us, and we take them very seriously. Looking at productivity, we need to maintain it in a way that is going to help on the environment side. In order to do that, it naturally comes together because we are reliant on bees for pollination. Therefore, we have to be cautious in the environment we are going to provide for the bees.
Question: Can you please share a bit more about how the cranberry marsh supports wildlife?
Answer: We have migration of wildlife in the spring and fall. We also have a natural habitat of frogs, fish, and turtles from an aquatic standpoint. We have ducks and many species of birds, including whooping cranes that migrate through. Typically, for every acre of cranberries, we have 5-10 acres of support land. This support land, which consists of uplands, wetlands and open water, is home to wildlife like bears, wolves, and coyotes.
Question: Is there anything unique you have incorporated into the cranberry growing process, such as new innovative technology?
Answer: We continue to be an industry that is very innovative. We have incorporated digital temperature and moisture sensing and set up systems to help water management and sustainability. Water is extremely important to us from a quality standpoint. Where we grow our cranberries is where we also live and where we also raise our families! We have systems in place to help us manage water efficiently. We work with our research community from the University of Wisconsin very closely to help guide best management decisions. We closely watch the plants and respond to what their needs are. To have our university research backing, coupled with what we are seeing with a visual eye, is really encouraging because it shows you can make a connection between how you are observing the plants and what the science demonstrates.
Question: Do you have any advice for women interested in the field?
Answer: Be humble, hungry, and smart. Anyone, no matter what their background, possessing those qualities can be successful in anything they put their mind too. Believe and Achieve!
Question: What are your favorite ways to enjoy cranberries?
Answer: I enjoy them whole, and put frozen raw cranberries in oatmeal with brown sugar. I also enjoy cranberries in smoothies. They offer amazing health benefits.
Things are heating up, outside and in the kitchen! Cranberries are a spring favorite providing studied health benefits! Check out these mouthwatering recipes from our Bog Blogger Network.
Zero Waste Cinnamon Apple Chickpea Cookies
These plant-based, cranberry-packed cookies by bog blogger Erin Hendrickson, RDN are SO easy, and completely customizable too!
A fun twist on homemade trail mix, this Cheerio Trail Mix by bog blogger Tawnie Kroll, RDN is filled with dried cranberries, nuts, and seeds to create a delicious combination.
