2011 Annual Report

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Wisconsin

Farm Bureau F E D E R A T I O N

Wisconsin

Farm Bureau F E D E R A T I O N

A Message from President Bill Bruins

Don’t Just Raise Crops. Raise Your Voice.

I recently heard it said that the most cherished possession on many farms is no longer the combine, but the smart phone. That’s not the case for me personally, but it certainly goes to show how things continue to evolve on the farm.

As farmers have changed, the public’s perception of us has changed too.

Research says that while consumers still hold farmers in high esteem, they are increasingly skeptical about how we do things on our farms.

Most consumers don’t see the need for farmers to implement more technology because U.S. grocery store shelves have rarely been empty. That’s not the case in the developing world where hunger kills 25,000 people daily. Nevermind the fact that by 2050 the world’s population will require 100 percent more food than we produce today. It’s been said that 70 percent of that additional food must come from technology, rather than trends.

With all that said, I’m not suggesting a “feed the world” mantra will endear agriculture to the American public. It won’t. The American consumer is most concerned with their own family’s nutrition and food safety.

Despite the old adage, it seems that many people DO want to see how sausage is made. There were over 277,000 online conversations about food issues in the month of April, and few were flattering of mainstream agriculture.

What can you do about it? Well, we’ve successfully changed the way we farm, now we have to change the way we talk to others about it.

Let’s start by dropping the technological jargon. Don’t just call them GMOs (Genetically Modified Organisms), but describe them as seeds that will grow stronger plants and require fewer pesticides. That’s something a consumer can embrace.

We need not be ashamed to boast of the good work we do on the farm.

Nobody else is going to do it for us. If we’re open and honest about what we do, then we’ll win the hearts and minds of consumers.

Farm Bureau is leading the charge to do just that with a wide coalition of groups through the recently formed U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance.

Its goal is not to win a war against agriculture’s detractors with millions in slick advertising. Instead it will engage that segment of the population that influences others with a frank conversation about the challenges of food production. That’s because consumers don’t see the safety of their food as a war, it’s simply a conversation they want to be part of. So we as farmers must get more comfortable having that conversation.

If we don’t, we will lose what’s called our ‘social license’ to operate our farms. In layman’s terms, a detached public will see to it that we cannot grow our crops and livestock. With such challenges before us, your membership in Farm Bureau has never been more important.

Together we can help amplify our message. For that reason we’ve inserted this year’s Annual Report into the Rural Route magazine so that every voting member can enjoy this annual look at how Farm Bureau is advocating for you in governmental and public relations, promoting agricultural literacy, and providing leadership opportunities for its members.

I am humbled to serve as president of such a great organization that provides a voice for farmers and a vision for agriculture.

Bill Bruins President, Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation

Fa Providing Leadership Young Farmer and Agriculturist Program

Farm Bureau Women’s Program

Wisconsin Farm Bureau Institute

Farm Bureau’s Young Farmer and Agriculturist (YFA) program offers leadership development experiences for members between ages 18 and 35. A total of 281 YFA members attended last December’s YFA Conference portion of the WFBF Annual Meeting at the Kalahari Resort in Wisconsin Dells. To help build the next generation of rural leaders, the Rural Mutual Insurance Company sponsored 100 first-time attendees to the informational, educational and fun event.

Members of Farm Bureau Women’s Committees promote agriculture through a number of channels. Over the past year the state Women’s Committee advanced ag literacy among Wisconsin youth by assisting with the annual Ag in the Classroom essay contest and purchasing a set of Ag in the Classroom children’s books for a school or daycare facility. Women’s committees in 29 counties worked to engage consumers by promoting Farm Bureau’s Food Check-Out Week and helping with 28 beef promotion events across the state.

The Wisconsin Farm Bureau Institute is a yearlong leadership experience which provides premier personal growth and leadership training to develop our next crop of county Farm Bureau leaders.

The program also recognizes young members for their agricultural knowledge, farming accomplishments and leadership skills through three leadership contests. Last year, 28 members completed the Achievement Award application, 25 competed in the state Discussion Meet contest, and seven completed the Excellence in Agriculture application. Wisconsin’s winners of those three contests represented their peers at the American Farm Bureau Annual Meeting in Atlanta. Andrea Brossard Martin of Dodge County participated in the national Excellence in Agriculture contest, while Jackson County dairy farmers, Nathan and Karen Kling competed in the national Achievement Award contest. Troy Sellen, a dairy farmer from Oconto County, was a semi-finalist in the national Discussion Meet contest.

Maria McGinnis, Director of Career Services for UW-Madison College of Agricultural and Life Sciences from Columbia County, leads the ninemember state YFA Committee.

In addition to holding district meetings where local members develop their leadership skills, network and socialize, over 350 women attended the 2011 Wisconsin Ag Women’s Summit at the Kalahari Resort in Wisconsin Dells. The Summit is a joint venture of WFBF, Badgerland Financial, and UW-Extension. Next year’s Wisconsin Ag Women’s Summit will be held April 27-28 at the Kalahari Resort in Wisconsin Dells.

Rosie Lisowe, a dairy farmer from rural Chilton leads the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation’s nine-member state Women’s Committee.

The 15 members of Institute Class V have completed sessions on personal leadership development, media training and how the Wisconsin Farm Bureau functions. Their remaining sessions include studying local and state government in Madison and examining national and international ag issues at the offices of the Indiana Farm Bureau. They will graduate at the WFBF Annual Meeting in December before taking a capstone trip to Washington D.C. in June to impact agricultural policy with their newfound leadership skills. That’s exactly what members of the Institute Class IV did when they traveled with the WFBF Board of Directors to Washington D.C. in April. Prior to their visits with Wisconsin’s congressional delegation they met with officials at the American Farm Bureau, Environmental Protection Agency and the Brazilian Embassy.

Their capstone trip also included participating in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery and touring Mount Vernon.

This year a total of 72 Farm Bureau members from across the state will have graduated from the program, and more importantly, grown from their Institute experience.

A Voice for Farmers. A Vision for Agriculture.

Wisconsin

Farm Bureau F E D E R A T I O N

Public Relations

A Voice for Farmers.

As the voice of agriculture, the Farm Bureau continues to be who the media calls when they need information about farm and food news. Over the past year the Farm Bureau received well over 300 media requests from print, radio, television and web-based reporters from local, state, national and international media outlets. Many of these press contacts were generated by the over 200 press releases and weekly radio reports that are generated by the Wisconsin Farm Bureau annually. In addition, the Farm Bureau’s public relations division delivers its messages to members and the consuming public through a number of other channels.

Rural Route

The Wisconsin Farm Bureau’s Rural Route is published six times annually for voting Farm Bureau members. The publication focuses on Farm Bureau’s legislative work, events, educational efforts, sponsorships and exclusive member benefits. Last summer the publication was changed from a newspaper to a magazine format.

Website

The Wisconsin Farm Bureau’s newly revamped website (www.WFBF.com) serves as an interactive resource for members, agricultural leaders and media. Information about farm markets, weather, legislative issues, Farm Bureau programs and applications for various events are just a click away.

Radio reports are available for listening and on-farm videos and interviews are available for watching. Back issues of the Rural Route and Farm Bureau Annual Report are also available digitally.

Marketbasket

Farm Bureau’s retail food price survey remains a popular item with media outlets statewide. The information about the average price of a set of predetermined food items is collected by Farm Bureau members across the state. The Marketbasket’s findings show trends in prices paid by consumers and their correlation to trade, weather and the supply and demand issues that factor into food prices.

County Newsletters

Over 40 of our 61 county Farm Bureaus now have their newsletters published by the state Farm Bureau office. This is a feature of the County Farm Bureau Services Program. The quarterly newsletters promote local events, provide information on what county Farm Bureaus are doing on the grassroots level, as well as highlight individual members.

Ag Newswire

Social Media

The Wisconsin Farm Bureau is part of the fastest-growing social networking site on the planet. To connect with other Farm Bureau members and receive up to the minute updates on events and news, just click ‘like’ on the ‘Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation’ page. In addition, members of the Farm Bureau’s Institute, Women’s and YFA programs all have Facebook pages as well. Farm Bureau also gets its message out through the use of Twitter @WIFarmBureau.

This “subscription only” email is sent to Farm Bureau members and to Wisconsin media. It provides an easy to read snapshot of farm, food and rural news on the state and national levels. It also highlights Farm Bureau activities and the organization’s involvement with key legislative issues.

The Ag Newswire is sent to nearly 2,200 Farm Bureau members and over 330 reporters for print, radio, television and web-based news outlets.

2nd Quarter 2011

WFBF Marketbasket Survey

$49.49 for 16 items

$1.49 3.1 % increase from last quarter

The 16-item marketbasket includes bagged salad, orange juice, apples, potatoes, chicken breasts, sliced deli ham, bacon, ground chuck, sirloin tip roast, eggs, milk, shredded cheddar cheese, bread, flour, toasted oat cereal and vegetable oil. wfbf.com

Fa Governmental Relations

A Vision for Agriculture.

The Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation has been working tirelessly on behalf of Wisconsin’s farm families, providing key representation on a variety of state and federal issues. The organization’s true strength is the grassroots network of informed and politically active members who contact their legislators on important issues, attend Ag Day at the Capitol in Madison, and travel on Farm Bureau sponsored trips to our nation’s capital.

In Madison

In Washington D.C.

State Budget

Farm Bill and Dairy Reform

The state legislature finalized the 2011-13 biennial budget in June. The final budget featured several key provisions aligning with Farm Bureau policy. Notably, Wisconsin’s leaders passed the first balanced budget in recent years without tax increases and segregated fund raids. While state government will live within its means, several budget items critical for Wisconsin farmers were preserved, including the addition of five state-funded meat inspectors, with matching funding for five more inspectors coming from the federal level. The state’s non-point source pollution programs (NR 151 and ATCP 50) were funded, which means cost-sharing will be available to farmers who need to implement nutrient management changes on their farms. Discovery Farms, a UW-Extension program conducting environmental research, was also funded in the budget. Core functions of Wisconsin’s Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection (DATCP) were preserved. The budget also maintained use-value assessment of farmland, a critical element in ensuring the viability of Wisconsin agriculture.

Legislation

The Wisconsin Legislature enacted policies extending the Dairy and Livestock Tax Credit through 2017. These income tax credits benefit farmers who complete expansion and modernization projects of dairy and livestock facilities. The legislation was otherwise set to expire at the end of 2011. Another key piece of legislation passed this session provides state income tax deductions for contributions made to health savings accounts (HSAs). The law provides for a state income tax credit calculated on 6.5% of the total amount of HSA contributions reported on a federal tax return.

This act will result in lower healthcare costs for Wisconsinites making HSA contributions, as well as stimulate the economy by freeing up these dollars for spending elsewhere.

Wisconsin Farm Bureau continues to monitor several pieces of federal legislation important to Wisconsin farmers. A legislative priority that will come into focus over the next year will be the 2012 Farm Bill. A different political atmosphere and public attitude toward farm subsidies could lead to a bill that looks substantially different from the 2008 edition. Wisconsin Farm Bureau will continue to advocate for policies that benefit agriculture, especially crop insurance based on producer revenue. Of course, as the Dairy State, we will continue to be a leader in dairy policy reform issues. We support movement to a margin-protection safety net that factors in cost of production as well as milk price when determining if payments are needed by farmers.

Promoting Trade

Farm Bureau continues to work toward creating trade agreements that open up U.S. commodities to global markets. Realizing the huge boost that new exports bring to Wisconsin agriculture, we continue to advocate for bilateral trade agreements with Colombia, South Korea and Panama.

Weighing in on Regulations

Wisconsin Farm Bureau is also standing up for farmers on key regulatory issues impacting agriculture. We have submitted comments to federal agencies supporting proposed delisting of the gray wolf, a move that would allow state and local authorities to deal with problem wolves that plague farmers.

Wisconsin Farm Bureau also weighed in on a series of Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration proposals to reclassify farm implements as commercial motor vehicles, an unnecessary regulatory move that could endanger the ability of Wisconsin farmers to operate their business and move product to market.

A Voice for Farmers. A Vision for Agriculture.

Wisconsin

Farm Bureau F E D E R A T I O N

Wisconsin Farm Bureau Foundation Building on a Strong Foundation Supporting agricultural education programs and developing agricultural leaders is the guiding principle of the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Foundation. The Foundation accomplishes this by providing vital financial support to the Ag in the Classroom program, Farm Bureau Institute, and the Wisconsin 4-H and FFA organizations.

Major fundraising accomplishments of the Foundation include: • The 2010 Wisconsin Ag Open raised over $11,628.

• A silent auction at the 2010 WFBF Annual Meeting raised over $13,600.

The fun name badge ribbon sales conducted by WFBF’s YFA Committee raised $1,021 for the Foundation.

• The Learn and Lead campaigns, memorial and “in honor of” gifts, and individual, county Farm Bureau and corporate donations continue to support the Foundation.

• GROWMARK, Inc. provides this support through FS Brand Seed Corn, FS HiSoy® soybean seed, and FS WL alfalfa seed sold in Wisconsin.

Frontier FS, Conserv FS, Servco FS, and GROWMARK, Inc. cooperatives presented $3,263 to use for local and state Agriculture in the Classroom and ag literacy programs.

In 2010, the combined efforts of more than 200 Farm Bureau volunteers resulted in 783 new members joining the organization. Rural Mutual Insurance agents signed an additional 576 new voting members and 2,037 new associate members.

Thirty-three county Farm Bureaus achieved membership growth in 2010, and Wisconsin Farm Bureau was one of 36 states that posted a membership gain.

Farm Bureau Staff ADMINISTRATION

MEMBER RELATIONS

Bill Bruins, WFBF President 608.828.5700 Roger Cliff, Chief Administrative Officer 608.828.5703 Becky Schollian, Executive Assistant 608.828.5701

Bob Leege, Executive Director 608.828.5710 Deb Raemisch, Director 608.828.5712 608.828.5714

Training and Leadership Development

PUBLIC RELATIONS

Darlene Arneson

Casey Langan, Executive Director 608.828.5711

Foundation Director, AITC Coordinator

Sheri Sutton, Communications 608.828.5706 Lynn Siekmann, Administrative Assistant 608.828.5707

GOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS Paul Zimmerman, Executive Director 608.828.5708 Karen Gefvert, Director 608.828.5713

608.828.5719

Christy Strobel, District 1 Coordinator

866.355.7341

Becky Anding, District 2 Coordinator

866.355.7342

Paul Peterson, District 3 Field Supervisor 866.355.7343 Steve Boe, District 4 Coordinator

866.355.7344

Becky Hibicki, District 5 Coordinator

866.355.2029

Kimberly Rusch, District 6 Coordinator 866.355.7345 Wes Raddatz, District 7 Coordinator

Farm Bureau relies on a growing and actively participating membership base to provide financial stability and leadership at the county, state and national levels.

Through the efforts of Farm Bureau volunteers and Rural Mutual Insurance agents across Wisconsin, Farm Bureau membership grew to 42,734 members in 2010, marking a third successive year of membership growth.

The Foundation’s support over the last year included: • Sponsoring the 4-H Key Awards for Wisconsin youth for the 37th year.

• Providing financial support for the Wisconsin FFA’s discussion meet awards and Food for America program.

• Contributing to the University of Wisconsin’s Rural Youth Scholarship.

• Co-sponsoring the Farm Bureau’s annual FFA Farm Forum which provides leadership training experience for FFA members.

• Providing scholarships to four Farm Bureau members enrolled in the two-year Leadership Wisconsin Program.

• Offering continued support for the Wisconsin Cranberry Discovery Center’s educational displays and tours.

Dale Beaty

Membership

866.355.7346

OPERATIONS

Lindsey Prahl, District 8 Coordinator

866.355.7348

Jeff Fuller, Executive Director 608.828.5715 Jill Bennwitz, Administrative Assistant 608.828.5705

Wendy Kannel, District 9 Coordinator

866.355.7349

Darci Meili, Administrative Assistant

608.828.5704

The 2011 membership year ends on September 30, and thanks to another year of outstanding cooperation between Farm Bureau and its affiliate companies, WFBF is on pace to post its largest voting and associate membership gains in nearly two decades.

F

Fa Ag in the Classroom Planting Seeds of Ag Literacy The Agriculture in the Classroom (AITC) program provides Wisconsin teachers and their students with the tools to teach and learn how their next meal travels from the farm to the fork. Currently, there are 71 local Ag in the Classroom (AITC) coordinators in 61 Wisconsin counties with organized AITC programs.

Local Efforts

Local Agriculture in the Classroom efforts are carried out by the county’s AITC Committee. The 61 counties utilized volunteers for farm tours, classroom presentations, and other events. The expenditures for those county AITC programs were $123,345 in 2010. Approximately 10,340 volunteer hours were contributed to conduct a variety of local activities.

Teachers Recognized

Sheila Burris, a second grade teacher in Spring Green, was the recipient of the Ag in the Classroom’s Outstanding Teacher Award. Burris is the teacher coordinator for the Sauk County Ag in the Classroom program at her school.

Betty Krcma, agri-science teacher in Green Bay, was an American Farm Bureau White Reinhardt Educator Scholarship recipient. Krcma traveled to the National Ag in the Classroom Conference in Florida and participated in workshops, traveling tours, and general sessions.

Project Funding

The Wisconsin Farm Bureau Foundation awarded 15 matching grants totaling $5,610 to Wisconsin schools and organizations to use for agricultural literacy lessons and activities.

There were 16 teacher mini-grants in the amount of $100 awarded to fund agricultural literacy projects or purchase materials or equipment needed to teach students about agriculture.

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Wisconsin Farm Bureau’s Ag in the Classroom Program was also recently awarded a $10,000 grant from U.S. Department of Agriculture for an agricultural literacy project called Telling Our Agricultural Story. The resource will help address misinformation being taught in some classrooms, movies, books or other events related to our food supply and methods of production. The project will put together a set of resources and lesson plans that can be used in a classroom setting, with youth groups such as 4-H and FFA, and in educational displays. The lesson plans will be targeted for middle and high school students.

Essay Contest

Brenna Nowak of River Falls was the winner of the Agriculture in the Classroom’s essay contest.

Wisconsin fourth and fifth graders were asked f to write a 100 to 300 word essay with sthe ”o ace theme, “If I lived on n F onsin cts u a “F c of es” Fac sin n ts “Fu iscon Fac W ture l u ric Ag

a dairy farm, I’d want people to know that…” A total of 1,953 Wisconsin students wrote essays for the competition sponsored by the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Foundation, Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board/Wisconsin Dairy Council, Foremost Farms USA and We Energies.

Other AITC Activities •

Clarabelle was selected as the Wisconsin Farm Bureau’s 2011 Book of the Year.

The book is authored by dairy farmer and WFBF member Cris Peterson.

•

31 participants attended the Soybean Science Kit and Ag in the Classroom training held last April in Portage for teachers and volunteers. Two full day options of soybean kit training were offered with AITC workshops running opposite them. The training was partially sponsored by the Wisconsin Soybean Marketing Board and Wisconsin Farm Bureau Foundation - Jeannette Poulson Fund.

•

54 Soybean Science Kits were utilized by 6,156 students. Funding for five additional kits by the Wisconsin Soybean Marketing Board increased the total sponsored kits to 59 in the state.

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Wisconsin was very successful in American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture White Reinhardt Funds. All five applications submitted in two categories were awarded funding. The Mini-Grant recipients include: Brown County Farm Bureau - Red Barn Learning Center kits for elementary students; Jackson County Farm Bureau - ag activity kits on apples, bees, cranberries, corn, soybeans, dairy, sunflowers, forestry and nutrition; Manitowoc County Farm Bureau Traveling agriculture presentation and materials kit; and Wisconsin Farm Bureau - Ag in the Classroom- Bringing Music to our Lives Project which takes ag-related songs and incorporates them into lesson plans for elementary students.

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A Voice for Farmers. A Vision for Agriculture.

2011 Board of Directors

Wisconsin Farm Bureau Board of Directors: (first row, left to right) District 2 - Vice President Jerry Bradley, Women’s Committee Chair - Rosie Lisowe, District 5 - President Bill Bruins, Young Farmer and Agriculturist Chair - Maria McGinnis, District 1 Director - Dave Daniels, (back row, left to right) District 4 Director - Joe Bragger, District 6 Director - Lloyd DeRuyter, District 9 Director - James Holte, District 3 Director - Richard Gorder, District 8 Director - Donald Radtke and District 7 Director - Wayne Staidl.

Wisconsin

Farm Bureau F E D E R A T I O N

Radtke Staidl

Holte

Bragger DISTRICT 1: Dave Daniels, Union Grove DISTRICT 2: Vice President Jerry Bradley, Sun Prairie DISTRICT 3: Richard Gorder, Mineral Point DISTRICT 4: Joe Bragger, Independence DISTRICT 5: President Bill Bruins, Waupun DISTRICT 6: Lloyd DeRuyter, Cedar Grove DISTRICT 7: Wayne Staidl, Peshtigo DISTRICT 8: Donald Radtke, Merrill DISTRICT 9: James Holte, Elk Mound Women’s Committee Chair: Rosie Lisowe, Chilton Young Farmer and Agriculturist Chair: Maria McGinnis, Portage

Lisowe McGinnis

Bruins DeRuyter

Bradley Gorder Daniels