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Walker Cranberry
Company is located 15 miles west of Wisconsin Rapids in the state
of Wisconsin.
Flourishing in a township steeped in cranberry heritage,
the marsh operation can trace its lineage to settlers who first
arrived in the Cranmoor Township in the 1880’s. One
of only three native North American fruits, cranberries thrive in
the region’s marshland where abundant supplies of water, sand and
acidic soil provide the ideal environment for this specialty
crop.
Since 1947, Walker Cranberry Company has produced
high quality fresh cranberries for Thanksgiving and Christmas
markets.Under the tutelage of Harold Walker, son Ryan honed the
craft of fresh fruit cultivation, maintaining the integrity of the
farm and employing best management practices to cranberry growing.
Now a sixth generation emerges as sons Andrew and Tyler apprentice
for their father Ryan, sustaining the time-honored family
tradition of quality fresh fruit production.
Care is taken
throughout the growing season to sustain the optimal conditions
necessary for producing berries that meet USDA Number 1 standards.
Spring bud break signals the beginning of a new growing season
requiring constant attention. By early July a pink profusion of
blossoms cover the landscape like popcorn and honeybees assist in
the pollination. Small green berries begin to appear in August and
the familiar crimson color is evident as the berry matures in
fall.
Harvest is underway by the first week of
October as raking machines enter flooded beds and gently dislodge
the cranberries from the vine. Fruit is screened, dried and stored
in a cool warehouse before the final sorting and packing process.
An optical sorting machine in tandem with a team of seasoned
employees insures that each container of fruit meets Walker
Cranberry Company’s premium standards prior to shipment.
 For more Cranberry
information:
Wisconsin State Cranberry Growers
Association
US Cranberry
Marketing
McMillian
Library
South Wood County
Museum
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