Natalie's Everyday Heroes: High school students lead Splash of Red Cranberry Tours in Necedah

 

WISCONSIN (CBS 58) -- It's harvest time for Wisconsin cranberries. Did you know Wisconsin is the largest cranberry producer in the US?

Students at one central Wisconsin high school are learning that and more.

They're part of the only cranberry sciences class in the whole country, and they're sharing their knowledge with the world.

"Alright everybody, if I can have your attention, I'll explain what's going on here," Cody Miller said to a gathered crowd.

This cranberry marsh is Cody Miller's classroom.

"This yellow thing you see around these berries, that's called a boom," he explained, pointing to the water flooded field, filled with the bright red berries.

But instead of being the student, this Pittsville high school senior is the teacher.

"Empty one of these? It takes us about normally two hours," he said, responding to a question.

He has to answer a lot of questions from people eager to learn about the harvest at Whitetail Cranberry in Necedah.

This tour is called Splash of Red Cranberry Tour, and it's run entirely by students in Pittsville's cranberry sciences program.

"We do believe we're the only cranberry science class that's taught in our entire nation," said instructor Lindsay Meissner. 

She said she loves watching the students lead the tours.

"My favorite part is absolutely seeing the students build their public speaking skills. And just really them grow their confidence in themselves," she said.

"Any other questions?" Miller asked the group.

That's particularly true for Miller. He took the week off school to help with the harvest.

"I've still got a lot to learn, but I've got the basics of it," he said.

He helps corral the berries, push them towards the berry pump, where they're transported to a sorter and loaded onto the truck.

"Frequent questions is- how deep the ditches are, how long it takes to harvest them," he said of what he gets asked on the tour.

The Splash of Red Cranberry Tours run for six weeks in the fall. They have 1,000 people during that time.

"I'm usually booking out for the next coming year tour season. So, we are becoming very popular," Meissner said.

"The school students did a fantastic job," said Alice Resch, who attended the tour.

Resch came up from Germantown to take the tour, taking away some fun facts.

"For the interior of the cranberries to freeze takes a month," she said with surprise. "We love cranberries, though."

That appreciation goes far beyond Wisconsin.

"Just last week we had some people who were all the way from Taiwan. We've had people from China, Australia," said student Kaden Schiller.

Schiller is also a senior in the class.

"I've been working the cranberry field for about five years now," he said.

The students know the importance of the cranberry industry to the area.

It's how Schiller spends his summers.

"On Monday I'll be down in Tomah. And then on Tuesday I'll be over in Wisconsin Rapids. So, I'm all over the place during the summertime," he said.

"Wisconsin produces just over 60% of our nation's cranberries. So, it is extremely important," Meissner said of the industry.

The work the students do during the semester sets them up for a potential career.

"They're trying to teach them to go into the workforce. And I think it's very interesting," Resch said.

The harvest, both beautiful and interesting, and a chance for students like Miller to teach, learn and grow.

"I have learned a lot from it. I'd say it's pretty fun," Miller said.

To learn more about the Splash of Red Cranberry Tours, click here. 

And if you'd like to nominate an Everyday Hero, send Natalie a message at [email protected].