Growing Together: Wendy Alsum-Dykstra & Heidi Alsum-Randall

Alsum Farms & Produce Shares Family Legacy of “Paying it Forward“

Wendy Alsum-Dykstra and Heidi Alsum-Randall consider themselves second-generation potato farmers, but their family’s legacy in agriculture goes back even further. Their dad, Larry Alsum, is a fourth-generation dairy farmer and a first-generation potato farmer.

The two sisters grew up working alongside their dad, who took over the family business after his cousin and best friend Glenn was tragically killed in a plane crash in 1981. Larry Alsum grew up on a dairy farm a few miles down the road from the current potato packing shed.

“Larry is the oldest of eight children, and all four boys are farmers in some capacity,” Wendy said. “Growing up on the farm, he thought he wanted to do something different, so he went to school for accounting.  But God had other plans for him to come back to farming.”

Wendy serves alongside Heidi as co-chief operating officer of Alsum Farms & Produce, a vertically integrated farming, packing and logistics operation that supplies russet, red, gold and creamer potatoes to many of the nation’s largest retailers.

Like their dad, both women explored other career interests before returning to run the family business. Wendy became a certified public accountant (CPA), and Heidi worked with and mentored children and adults with special needs before studying human resource management and later working as a recruiter as well as a logistics manager.

“My dad said if any of the children want to come back and work for the business, we had to get outside experience first,” Wendy said. “I went to school for business.  I enjoyed my experience in public accounting, but I always knew I wanted to come back. I think that outside experience was good for us.”

“I think it was excellent,” Heidi added. “I would encourage my daughters to work several years outside of the family business to gain additional experience because the family business will always be here. I’m glad I worked as both a recruiter and logistics manager before coming back.”

Both women said their dad was a big influence on them getting involved in their communities and the potato industry.

Wendy serves on Potatoes USA’s executive committee helping to elevate demand for U.S. potatoes, and she’s currently involved with the Wisconsin Potato and Vegetable Growers Association (WPVGA) board and the Potato Leadership Education and Advancement Foundation (Potato LEAF). Wendy participated in the Potato Industry Leadership Institute (PILI).  She’s also served as a Sunday school teacher, school board member, school foundation board member, 4-H co-leader and soccer coach.

“I was a college student when my dad served on the Potatoes USA board, and seeing him get involved firsthand had a big influence on me,” Wendy said. “If you’ve been given talent and abilities, paying it forward is important. It’s a great industry we’re involved in. We’re growing, packing and marketing a healthy vegetable that’s low cost and has great nutritional value.”

“It’s hard-wired in us,” Heidi said. “You get more than you give despite your best efforts because it’s so rewarding to meet so many wonderful people who are all trying to make a difference.”

Heidi also served on the Potatoes USA board from 2014-2020, including several years on the executive committee. Like her sister, she served as a Sunday school teacher and currently serves as the chair of the education committee at her daughter’s school, as the Wisconsin Potato Industry Board (WPIB) President, as a Director on the Cambria-Friesland Area Chamber of Commerce, and as a soccer coach. Heidi went through the Potato Industry’s Leadership Institute (PILI) and Syngenta’s Leadership At It’s Best.

Both Wendy and Heidi added that they felt blessed to work alongside family and to be involved in the potato industry because there are so many amazing people you meet.

Both sisters’ favorite way to eat potatoes is their mom’s make-ahead mashed potatoes—though Heidi said she also enjoys “a good potato nacho” and honey Dijon roasted creamer potatoes.

“The great thing about potatoes is there’s so much versatility—however you slice, prepare, and season them,” Wendy said. “There are endless ways to enjoy.”