Our Heritage

Our Legacy

The Professional Potato People.

Bushmans’ Inc. is a prominent Wisconsin-based, family-owned potato grower, packer, and marketer established in 1974 by Jerry Bushman, stemming from a family legacy dating back to 1909. Headquartered in Rosholt, it grew from a regional farm into a major national distributor of potatoes and onions, later expanding to include trucking and packing operations.

IT ALL BEGAN

Joesph L. Bushman, 1909

As cliché as it may sound, it all began in 1909 when Joseph L. Bushman decided to pursue the American dream. A son of Polish immigrants, Joseph wasn’t one to shrink from hard work. Inspired by the bounty the dark Wisconsin soils could provide, and sure of his marketing skills, Joseph established what is today the longest continuing potato growing operation in Wisconsin.

A STORY OF PERSEVERANCE

Starting from Seed, Conservation of Soil

Joseph was a creative grower and marketer who sought the latest technologies to improve his soils and potatoes, and used a mix of charm and perseverance to sell his product. During a season that was particularly rough—he loaded a train car with his tubers, then his wife locked him inside with liquids and a lunchbox, and he arrived in Chicago to sell his wares. Upon emptying the car of every last spud, he hitchhiked home. Talk about perseverance.

And then talk about preservation. For Joseph, as are all his descendants, was passionate about conservation of the soils. Stewardship of the land was impressed upon everyone, especially the children who were to continue his legacy.

Perfection by the pound

To the Store

In 1960, Jerry Bushman, who had left college after his first year to assist his father in the business—realized a vital link in the chain was missing. People wanted every potato at any time of year. In response, he established Bushman’s Inc., to facilitate creative national distribution, packing and marketing efforts on behalf of regional farmers. His goal? To put the potato and the person together.

potato and the person together

Onto Your Plate

And how do you match the person to the potato? With creativity. Creative planting, growing, buying, conserving, packaging, and distributing. At Bushman’s, we’ve preserved the best of our traditions. We’ve also improved upon them with advanced technologies and value-add lines of onions, tomatoes and watermelon.

From seed, to soil, to store, to plate—we offer produce of exceptional quality, 365 days a year, from every corner of the United States.