Jessica (Potter) Rezin is a sixth-generation cranberry grower.  Her family’s marsh, Cutler Cranberry Company, was purchased by her great-great grandfather in 1926. Over the years, the original planting of 26 acres of cranberry vines has been increased to over 630 acres, making it one of the largest family-owned marshes in the state.

When the Wisconsin State Cranberry Growers Association assumed operation of the cranberry museum in 2001, Jessica was hired as the director. She served in that post for 2 years before returning to her family’s cranberry marsh.

 “So many people don’t even know we grow cranberries in Wisconsin, I really believe it’s important that we get the word out how important our little red fruit is,” says Jessica.

Cutler Cranberry Company is a member of Ocean Spray Cranberries, a grower-owned cooperative. In addition to growing fruit for processed products like cranberry juice, Cutler Cranberry Company also packages fresh cranberries.

“Harvest is the most hectic time of the year, but it is also my favorite time,” says Jessica, pictured (at right) stacking cases of fresh cranberries onto a pallet.

About 95 percent of Wisconsin’s cranberry crop is harvested for use in processed products, like cranberry juice, sauce and the nearly 800 other products on the market. The remaining 5 percent is marketed as fresh fruit.

Jessica is married to Matt Rezin, whose family has a cranberry marsh in the Warrens area. The couple welcomed a daughter, Grace, into their family in 2004.