PITTSVILLE, Wis. – Tom Gardner, president of the Wisconsin State Cranberry Growers Association, operates his marshes and diversified Hay Creek business as a Christian ministry.
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Wisconsin grower's faith, business intertwine
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Wisconsin cranberry grower Tom Gardner, middle, serves widows and orphans during a recent mission trip to India. Assisting are Gardner's son, Tucker, 14, and Indian Pastor Prabhu, next to Gardner.
Cranberry grower Tom Gardner of Pittsville, Wisconsin, right, lives the Biblical mandate to care for widows and orphans during mission trips to India.
Besides growing cranberries, Tom Gardner's Hay Creek Pallet produces wood-fuel pellets. A percentage from the sale of every bag is donated to support widows and orphans in India.
Widows in India are among the poorest of poor. They benefit from funds raised from sales of Hay Creek wood-fuel pellets. Pellets are among several wood products produced by Pittsville, Wisconsin, cranberry grower Tom Gardner, back center. Also with widows in India, holding a pellets bag, are Gardner's youngest son, Tucker Gardner, next to his father, and local preacher, Pastor Prabhu, back right.
Janeen and Tom Gardner, cranberry growers and wood-products business owners in Pittsville, Wisconsin, focus on their faith not just at Easter but day in and day out -- with fellow farmers, customers, suppliers and employees.
Wisconsin State Cranberry Growers Association President Tom Gardner says participating in a C12 business-as-ministry peer group has profoundly changed how he approaches business.
An aerial photo of Hay Creek Cranberry marsh, where Tom and Janeen Gardner and their children live, hangs in the headquarters of Hay Creek Pallet near Pittsville, Wisconsin. The Gardners co-own 1,500 acres of cranberries in multiple locations in northern Wisconsin with Tom Gardner's brother, Wayne 'Butch' Gardner. The business is operated as Gardner Cranberry.
Cranberry grower Tom Gardner shares his faith and a photo opportunity with one of India's many orphans, who, he says, are thrilled to have their picture taken.
Red River Cranberries sweet-and-dried cranberries are a new consumer-market launch by Tom Gardner and his brother, Wayne 'Butch' Gardner.
Tom Gardner, right, and his son, Tucker, are welcomed with flowers during a recent mission trip to India with Don Shire Ministries of White Lake, Wisconsin.
Janeen and Tom Gardner are active in their church as well as with 4-H and FFA. Tom Gardner is on his church board and town board in addition to serving as president of the Wisconsin State Cranberry Growers Association.
