Hello Everyone!

I hope you are all doing well and staying warm! I'm sure everyone is looking forward to Thanksgiving. It'll be a good reason for the hunters to return home from the woods.  Have a good weekend and stay safe everyone!

As you may or may not know, today is National Eat a Cranberry Day! With Thanksgiving right around the corner, check out some of the great recipes available at www.wiscran.org. Remember, cranberries are great any time of the year – not just on Thanksgiving!

You might be surprised to learn that Wisconsin produces more cranberries than any other state! In fact, more than 60% of the nation’s cranberry crop and more than 50% of the world’s cranberries are harvest right here in Wisconsin. I have included some more fun facts about cranberries below.

It's that time of year again..

It’s that time of year again in Wisconsin, most of the farm production is over and the gun-deer hunting season is underway. Everyone has been looking forward to these nine days for another opportunity to shoot a trophy buck.

Hunting is a proud tradition in this state, but the nine-day season is more than just hunting; it’s about creating lifelong memories. For generations, family and friends have come together at their deer camps to participate in their favorite activities of the hunting season.

Another great benefit of our proud tradition of hunting is the economic impact it has on our state’s economy. The National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife Data found that hunting-related purchases topped $2.5 billion in 2011. These dollars have an even bigger impact on our local communities here in the 70th Assembly District. The ripple effect of hunters spending at sporting goods stores, gas stations, hotels, bars and restaurants helps to sustain our small businesses.

Thanksgiving also falls within the nine days. It gives the hunters a good excuse to return home from the woods. Families look forward to gathering together for the traditional holiday dinner of turkey, stuffing, pumpkin pie and of course we can’t forget the cranberries! Let’s hope the Packers can keep the relaxing day going with an easy win.

If you aren't already aware of it, there are registration changes with the gun deer hunt this season. The paperless registration process is now statewide. You can register your deer by phone, 1-844-426-3734, or the internet at http://gamereg.wi.gov. You can still register in person as well. Registration is mandatory and it must be done by 5 p.m. the day after tagging the deer.

I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving! If you're heading out to deer camp this year, best of luck and be safe.

Cranberry Fun Facts

Statistics
• In 2013, Wisconsin is expected to produce 4.9 million barrels of cranberries, representing more than 60 percent of the nation’s crop and securing Wisconsin as the No. 1 cranberry producer in the United States for the 19th consecutive year.
• Cranberry exports have increased from less than 10 percent of Wisconsin’s crop to nearly 33 percent just over the past decade.
• More than 250 growers produce cranberries on approximately 21,000 acres of land throughout 20 counties in central and northern Wisconsin.
• Cranberries are Wisconsin’s largest fruit industry in both value and size.
• The cranberry was declared Wisconsin’s official state fruit in 2004.
• Cranberries are ingredients in more than 1,000 food and beverage products on the market, and only 5 percent of Wisconsin's cranberry crop is sold as fresh berries.

Health
• Cranberries score among the highest of all fruits in antioxidants. Diets including fruits and vegetables with high antioxidant values, like cranberries, may help support memory function and coordination.
• Cranberries are a cholesterol free, fat free and low sodium food, and help maintain a healthy heart.
• Cranberries are part of a healthy diet and contain antioxidants that may help maintain a healthy immune system.
• As part of a healthy diet, cranberries can be added to low-fat vinaigrettes, whole grain pancakes and yogurt.

Sustainability
• The average age of cranberry beds in Wisconsin is 40 years, with the oldest bed reported to be planted 139 years ago, which shows the long-term commitment many growers have to the land, their local communities and economies.

Fun
• Contrary to popular belief, cranberries do not grow in water. A perennial plant, cranberries grow on low running vines in sandy bogs and marshes. Because cranberries float, Wisconsin marshes are flooded when the fruit is ready for harvesting.
• Cranberries were originally stored and shipped in wooden barrels weighing 100 pounds each. They aren’t shipped in wood barrels anymore, but the 100 pound “barrel” standard is still used today.
• Europeans named the fruit “crane berry” because they thought the cranberry blossom looked like the head of a sandhill crane.

Sincerely,