02/05/2021
FEBRUARY 1, 2021
WPT MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
Eat clean. Eat organic.
Those are the first words you see when you visit the ColdSnap Aquaponics' website, and rightfully so. It's the company mission. ColdSnap is a family owned and operated Aquaponics Alternative Farming System located in Wisconsin Rapids. The company takes pride in producing eco-friendly, sustainably-sourced, organic produce year round to Central Wisconsin and surrounding areas.
ColdSnap takes a 21st Century agricultural approach to producing greens, veggies, and fish in a simple closed-loop system that's ecologically sound. Their 10,000-square-foot greenhouse provides a year-round growing environment, with harvesting happening 365 days per year. They do not use pesticides, herbicides, or commercial fertilizers in their production system, making their products all-natural, and chemical-free.
WPT had the chance to connect with longtime member -- ColdSnap owner and founder, Pamela Walker.
Pam is part of a five-generation cranberry-growing business, a science teacher, business owner, and stands on the cutting edge of aquaponic agriculture right here in the Badger State. We wanted to take the opportunity to her story, including how she has dealt with the ongoing COVID-19, and learn a bit more about what drives her success.
"I grew up in Kaukauna, and graduated from Kaukauna High School," she shared. "Go Ghosts!"
"I headed to the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, and after graduation, I taught science in junior and senior high schools. When my sons were attending college, I enrolled in an MBA program, graduating 30 years after my undergrad degree was conferred."
She put the MBA to good use alongside her science and agricultural knowledge. According to the company site, in addition to growing 90,000 heads of lettuce, spinach, microgreens, tomatoes, cucumbers, kohlrabi, beets, and other shallow root veggies, ColdSnap has partnerships with local schools. hospitals, restaurants, and grocery stores to provide them with fresh produce. But some of those partnerships disappeared overnight with COVID-19.
"When your clients' enterprises close, you have to find alternate markets, quickly," she said. "I had three school districts that closed in March as soon as COVID hit, and I scrambled to develop other sales avenues. I offered delivery to employees and their workplace, neighbors in my township had home delivery services, and I began vending online. I also connected with emerging food deliveries from other small businesses to provide local food purchase options."
Despite those challenges, Pam still takes time to pay attention to what's happening in state and local government, saying she tries to understand who influences farming efforts, particularly 21st Century, non-traditional pursuits.
"The local food movement," she explained. "Including 'Know Your Farmer', Farm-To-Table, and the network of resources responding to consumers' desire to purchase safe, local, healthy food."
We also asked Pam if she, like many, have challenges with state government. She told us that the disconnect she sees between her local representatives from the unique endeavors taking place within their districts. She added that it was a challenge knowing which parts of government continued to operate during the COVID shutdown.
Her biggest source of pride comes from the unique and educational aspects of her pursuit.
"...the inventiveness of an undertaking like controlled environment agriculture, the high quality of the produce, and that my grandchildren understand food production is a process from seed to harvest. They help feed the fish, plant the lettuce, and cut a snack if hungry. ColdSnap uses organic growing techniques and is a safe place to have grandchildren eating from the 'garden.'"
Pam and her husband Ryan have two sons and daughter-in-laws, and six grandchildren. Ryan is a fifth generation cranberry grower. Together, they harvest cranberries for the fresh fruit market through handler Ocean Spray Cranberries.
In her free time, Pam says she likes traveling, quilting, and gardening. Although she is a lifelong resident of Wisconsin, she said there are still places she has yet to discover, and she loves to jump in the car for a road trip whenever her schedule allows. "I love my State!"
