PITTSVILLE, WI (OnFocus) – Ever wanted an up-close look at how cranberries are grown, harvested, and processed? Look no further than the heart of Cranberry Country and support the Pittsville FFA “Splash of Red” tour.
The tour was recently featured in a Forbes article “12 Spectacular Cranberry Bogs You Can Wade Into This Fall.” It was one of only four Wisconsin tours featured, and the only one conducted by students. Pittsville High School offers the only high school Cranberry Science Class in the USA.
“Wisconsin is the #1 cranberry producing state in the nation, and Wood County is the highest producing county in the state,” shares Agriculture Science teach Lindsay Meissner. “A goal of the tours is to help residents and visitors understand this unique crop and its economic impact on Central Wisconsin.”
The two-hour tour begins at the Pittsville School Auditorium, 5459 Elementary Avenue, Pittsville, at 9:15 AM, with an introductory video. Departure via bus is at 9:30 AM and includes visiting a current marsh under production, with tourists given the opportunity to pick fresh fruit from the vine, as well as observing the harvesting, testing, cleaning, and freezing of the berries. It ends with a return to the school to enjoy a tasty cranberry based lunch that includes a cranberry dessert made by the Local Foods Class at Pittsville High School.
The charge for the tour is $25 per person. Proceeds are used to support student scholarships, trips and other FFA member-related activities.
October 19th is the last tour date available, so sign up today by visiting the Splash of Red webpage for details. Reservations are a must!
This is the 22nd year for Splash of Red cranberry tours, which have been enjoyed by well over 20,000 people from multiple states.
Author: MaryAnn Lippert
MaryAnn is a Pittsville native who believes that small rural Wisconsin communities are the best places in the world to live, raise a family, work and play. She learned this by traveling for six years through 40 northern Wisconsin counties listening to residents and helping solve problems related to state government. MaryAnn enjoys working in her yard and woods, hanging out with her family and cheering for all Wisconsin sports teams. Heaven on earth is Lambeau Field, north end zone.
