Protected Harvest
Sunwest Fruit Company is Proud to be a Certified Protected Harvest Producer
About Protected Harvest
Protected Harvest evolved out of an unprecedented collaboration of the World Wildlife Fund, the Wisconsin Potato and Vegetable Growers Association, and the University of Wisconsin. These organizations were brought together by the challenge of developing a revolutionary large-scale agricultural practice that reduced the impact on the environment.
Over the course of five years, the collaboration developed a certification program for fresh market potatoes that meet stringent Biointensive IPM production and reduced-risk pesticide standards. By 1999, participating growers achieved an impressive 37% reduction in pesticide “toxicity units,” as compared to 1995 industry baseline data. As far as we know, this is the only such program to use quantifiable performance measures for the reduction of high-risk pesticides.
In 2001, Protected Harvest was established as an independent certification organization, with the principal mission of advancing and certifying the use of sustainable agriculture practices through the development of stringent, transparent, and quantifiable standards.
Today, 10,000 acres of Wisconsin’s potatoes are enrolled in Protected Harvest’s certification program, and Healthy Grown® Potatoes, displaying Protected Harvest’s certification seal, are featured in supermarkets throughout the Midwest and East Coast of the United States.
Replicating and Expanding Upon the Model
Now that Protected Harvest’s standards and eco-labeling framework are in place and have been successfully implemented with Wisconsin potatoes, the project is working to expand the range of crops, improve the soil and water quality standards, and add new environmental performance areas, including wildlife habitat, ecosystem health, and air quality standards. We intend to establish a leadership role in the development of measurable eco-standards and in conducting cutting-edge research and consumer education, and aim to develop standards for 20 new crops over the next four years.