The cranberry is a little, red, tart fruit with a big punch, and Wisconsin produces more of this berry than any other state in the U.S. David Bartling, owner of Bartling’s Manitowish Cranberry Company says they finished harvest two weeks ago and he’s happy with their yields.

“We have just under 200 acres and produce an average of nine thousand pounds of cranberries per day during harvest and this year was no exception,” explains Bartling.

Bartling’s Manitowish Cranberry Company is part of the Ocean Spray cooperative. Bartling says they clean and bin their fruit into 1200 pound bins on site at the farm. This makes them unique as others in the cooperative take their fruit to the receiving station to have it done.

Bartling’s Manitowish Cranberry Company is a finalist for the 2023 Wisconsin Leopold Conservation Award. Bartling says it's an honor to just be recognized and claims it has to do with the fact that a commitment to conservation has been deeply ingrained in him from his parents.