WISCONSIN RAPIDS, Wis. — Cranberries will take center stage during the holiday season. Wisconsin is a top producer of fruit, thanks to a legacy of farmers.
Rooted in Red, a family-owned northern Wisconsin cranberry farm, is staying afloat after more than 100 years in business.
What You Need To Know
- Rooted In Red is a family-owned cranberry farm nestled in Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin
- This farm is run by fourth- and fifth-generation farmers, and mother daughter duo, Jamie Biegel and Rochelle Hoffman
- Biegel's great grandfather Charles Dempze grew his first cranberries here in 1919
- Hoffman's cranberry expertise landed her an appearance on Bravo's "Top Chef" Season 21 as a guest judge
Rochelle Hoffman has a deep-rooted love for cranberries. She’s a fifth-generation cranberry farmer who’s doing her part to keep Wisconsin ranked as the number one cranberry-producing state.
“I am trying to teach our next rising generation of farmers about different agricultural opportunities in Wisconsin,” Hoffman said.
When Hoffman is not patrolling her cranberry beds, she’s an instructor at Western Technical College.
Her cranberry expertise landed her a spot on the show “Top Chef” during season 21 as a guest judge.
“Being able to use cranberries in creative ways was an awesome experience. Really top-notch production. So grateful the show was able to feature Wisconsin cranberries,” Hoffman said.
Despite Wisconsin’s wild weather, Hoffman said their crops remain robust. She said the ruby reds taste the same but might look a little different.
“We didn’t have as good of color this year. That’s probably been the thing that has impacted us the most with this warm weather,” Hoffman said.
To survive Wisconsin’s unpredictable temperature swings, the farmers at Rooted in Red added special events and tourism draws. Turns out, Wisconsinites aren’t the only ones crazy for cranberries.
Fourth-generation cranberry farmer Jamie Biegel said people visit her farm from all over.
“We’ve been so surprised to hear families flying into our area from Poland, Germany and Czechoslovakia. Oh my gosh, every state in the country, just so many people interested in what cranberries are,” Biegel said.
The family roots run deep in the farm’s marshes. Biegel’s great grandfather Charles Dempze grew his first cranberries there in 1919.
Biegel said building upon what her ancestors created is rewarding.
“I’ve always loved this place, and feel like it’s a magical place, and to be able to share and welcome the public, to see the marsh, to kind of feel our family history here, and get an idea what farming is like, where cranberries come from, and just kind of the industry as whole is — it’s fun to share,” Biegel said.