It was 114 years ago when Joseph L. Bushman started his own potato growing operation in Wisconsin, taking advantage of the dark, rich Wisconsin soils.

Today, his legacy lives on as Bushmans’ Inc., a farmer-owned potato producer and the longest continuing potato growing company in the state, dealing in reds, whites, yellows and russets, including norkotahs, silvertons, gold rush and caribou.

Gumz Farms grows red and yellow potatoes, grows and sources yellow, white, red and sweet onions and packs and ships year-round.

Brothers Roderick and Richard Gumz lead Gumz Farms, following in the footsteps of four generations of their family in the potato and onion biz, and keeping the strong legacy of the company alive.

The Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association represents more than 300 growers and affiliates throughout the state.

“We represent the industry in terms of sharing the importance of buying local and supporting local businesses for a strong economy,” said Dana Rady, director of promotion, communication and consumer education for the WPVGA. “We share that we are the third-largest potato-producing state in the nation and the largest producer east of the Mississippi.”

Bushmans’ Inc. is a farmer-owned potato producer that has been offering product to grocers, retailers and foodservice providers since 1909.

Growing in the rich, organic muck soils of Wisconsin’s Marquette, Columbia, Sauk and Adams counties, Gumz Farms has a legacy of four generations of family ownership behind it, with brothers Richard and Roderick Gumz now charged with its leadership.

The company is known for growing potatoes and onions, but also has carrots, soybeans, field corn, spearmint and peppermint among its crops.

There’s good news coming out of Wisconsin and Bushmans Inc., which as of mid-August was seeing strong potato crops for the upcoming season.

“There has been some rain, but by-and-large, the crop has been looking really good so if we can just get it out of the ground and into storage, we’re going to be in good shape,” said Mike Carter, CEO of the Rosholt, WI-based company.