Glacial Lake Cranberries - 2024 WI Leopold Conservation Award Finalist

MID-WEST FARM REPORT - MADISON

Glacial Lake Cranberries, one of the oldest cranberry farms in Wisconsin, is celebrating its 151st year of commercial cranberry production. Owned and operated by Mary Brazeau Brown, this historic farm continues to thrive, thanks to its strong commitment to sustainable agricultural practices and conservation efforts. The farm was founded in 1873 and has grown into a 2,600-acre operation with an additional 3,000 acres of forested land, managed through a forestry management plan.

"My grandfather bought into the farm in 1923 when he was the attorney for the original owners. He saw great value not only in the cranberry production but also in the surrounding support land of uplands, forest, and the reservoir," said Brown. "I feel blessed that he made that decision."

Brown emphasizes the importance of sustainability, a value passed down through generations at Glacial Lake Cranberries. "We didn't inherit the land from our ancestors; we are borrowing it from our children. That's how I’ve always felt about the property," she said.

Being a finalist for the Wisconsin Leopold Conservation Award is a great honor for Brown and her family. "It’s humbling to be recognized for the good work that supports a strong land ethic. We do our best with what we’ve been given to steward, and we hope it makes a difference," she said.

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