July 26, 2006 marked a significant event in Wisconsin potato industry history. On that day, more than 400 people gathered at the Hancock Agricultural Research Station to talk about partnerships, cooperation, and the quest for knowledge, and to dedicate a shining example of all three― the Wisconsin Potato and Vegetable Storage Research Facility. The cutting of that red ribbon stretched across the west entrance to the Facility was the culmination of more than 20 years of discussions and 5 years of planning.

From the outside, it is impossible to guess what is contained inside. The sleek, shiny white exterior gives no indication of the inner workings. When passing through the entrance, the first thing most visitors note is the sheer size. The distance from floor to peak is some 30 feet. Brett Favre would have to give his all to toss the pigskin from end-to-end. The central work area is 40 feet wide. On either side are the Facility’s heart and soul ― bins and lockers, nine of each. The bins simulate typical, if there is such a thing, bulk storage. The lockers store small containers of potatoes and vegetables ― crates, boxes, bags and buckets ― under environmental conditions similar to bulk storage. When filled to capacity, some 2 million pounds of produce call the Facility home. Each bin and locker has its own air exchange, humidification and refrigeration systems. Although adjacent, each is sealed and separated from the others. Each is controlled independently by cutting-edge computer technology. There are no switches to flip and no dials to turn, only two brightly colored screens with images of buttons that one merely has to touch with a fingertip to make things happen. Each and every bin can be monitored and controlled from a laptop computer any place in the world where connection to the Internet is possible.