Since 1892, Gumz Farms has been a family-operated farming enterprise, steeped in a legacy that began when Great Grandfather Gumz emigrated from Germany to settle in a small Midwestern farming community in Indiana. His commitment to hard work, quality, and land stewardship laid the foundation for what is now a thriving 5th-generation farm in Endeavor, Wisconsin. The tradition lives on, with brothers Richard and Roderick Gumz leading the operation, and the next generation recently joining to ensure that the family’s farming heritage continues.
Over the years, Gumz Farms has grown into a major player in Wisconsin and the Midwest, becoming a key supplier of onions and potatoes. Despite this growth, the operation has retained its core values as a family-owned and operated business. With a commitment to quality and efficiency, Gumz Farms has garnered recognition throughout the industry for their innovation and excellence.
Speaking on this year’s onion crop, Alex Gumz shared insights into the harvest and operations: “Harvest at Gumz Farms began in August. We’ve been working diligently to ensure a smooth and efficient harvest season.”
A major producer in Wisconsin, Gumz Farms supplies onions to customers year-round. As Alex noted, “During the fall, we get a little bump in movement, but most of the year is very busy for us. We usually reach full steam just after Labor Day. We are excited to continue to meet our customers’ needs by ensuring that our onions are delivered fresh and on time.”
In terms of acreage, Alex explained that the farm has remained consistent. “Our acreage this year is about the same as last year. We grow about 40% of the Wisconsin onions,” he said. This year’s growing season has been marked by its challenges, including fluctuating weather conditions. “The growing season has been variable—at times too dry and at times too wet. Overall yields are about what we expected. We are experiencing great harvest conditions. Fall is a busy time of year, but because of some of our investments in buildings, equipment, technology, and people, we will be able to handle any challenge we face,” Alex said confidently.
Discussing the size profile of this year’s onion crop, Alex explained that they are currently seeing an average size, but are optimistic about larger sizes later in the harvest. “At present, the size profile of our crops is average. As we get into the later harvesting from additional fields, we anticipate larger size. We’ve adjusted our goal to have more large mediums. Although, we have had good demand for the smaller size and smaller pack sizes.”
Movement and demand for their onions have been strong, and Gumz Farms is eager to capitalize on promotional opportunities. “We have had good movement so far. We encourage our customers to work with us on any promotions, and we are excited to take advantage of these opportunities when we can,” Alex added.
This year has been an exciting one for Gumz Farms, with growth and new investments aimed at improving efficiency and quality. “Over time, we continue to experience growth in our business. To capitalize on these opportunities, we have had a busy year making investments. We’ve recently added over 25,000 square feet to our pack shed, added some pack shed equipment, and updated some of our key farm equipment. These improvements will help us increase efficiency and ensure better quality products to meet the growing demand. We are thrilled about the positive impact they will have on our operations. This will allow us to be sustainable.”
As for the forecast, Alex is optimistic about the coming months. “Our forecast for fall sales looks promising. We anticipate a significant boost during the fall and winter holidays, which is consistent with past experiences.”
The farm’s commitment to innovation and excellence was further recognized when Gumz Farms was named the 2023 Compeer Financial Food & Agribusiness of the Year, a prestigious honor that highlights the company’s contributions to the industry. Video Credit: Dan Hagenow Video Creation, LLC
With their strong legacy, continued growth, and unwavering commitment to quality, Gumz Farms remains a key player in Wisconsin’s onion industry.
For more information about Gumz Farms, visit Contact Us – Gumz Farms.
