Rural Route

wisconsin Farm bureau federation’s

april | may 2016 • vol. 22 no. 2 | wfbf.com

A Trans-Atlantic Dialogue on Dairy and Trade

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contents vol. 22 no. 2

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National AG Day Farmers went social on March 15.

Aggie Answers FFA state officers share their favorite films.

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Farm Bureau in Germany Farm Bureau members talk trade and dairy in Germany.

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‘Top Ten’ Legislation A summary of the top agriculture issues in Madison and D.C.

Klings Farm Bureau member breathes new life after lung transplant.

Ag Women’s Summit Wisconsin women gather to network, learn and inspire.

Opinion columns Messages from Zimmerman, Duvall, Langan and AgriVisor.

FFA Farm Forum Youth attend 44th FFA Farm Forum in Wisconsin Rapids.

Mini Grants Teachers use mini-grants to improve ag education.

Farm Bureau Flavor ‘Grandma Mary’ of Arena shares two of her recipes.

Rural Mutual Spring is time for safety checks on the farm.

WIFarmBureau

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wisconsin Farm bureau federation’s

Editor’s Note

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took my first trip to Europe in 1995 to visit an exchange student from Finland who I befriended during his year in Wisconsin. That summer I learned to appreciate how big and how small the world is.

Last month I participated in a study trip on dairy production and trade in Germany.

I marveled at how much had changed over two decades. Not just because I’m now a working adult visiting farms and government offices to talk international trade, instead of a college student attending rock concerts and camping near the Russian border.

I’ll admit that back then I found flying eight time zones away from home intimidating. The distance no longer bothers me, but walking through European airports today is unnerving for other reasons.

Back then, I wrote letters and postcards and developed 10 rolls of film when I returned home. Those were the days before Wi-Fi, FaceTime, texting and posting photos for the world to see on Instagram.

Few people ever saw those letters, postcards and photos from 1995, but today I get to share the trip’s highlights with Rural Route’s readers.

The one thing that I’ve probably always taken for granted is the freedom we have to get on an airplane and travel anywhere in the world in a matter of hours. That changed during my time in Germany, a nation once physically and politically divided by a wall.

I met Jurgen Mangelsdorf, a farmer born in the 1950s, who spent much of his life in the former East Germany.

I wasn’t interested in his dairy herd’s production levels, instead I asked him how he first learned of the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989. He must have been busy farming, because he didn’t hear the historic news via radio until several hours after it had happened. His first travel outside the Iron Curtain was into West Berlin, where he bought a clock radio. Though brief, this discussion with a farmer who has lived through such historic change made an impact.

The farmers we met in Germany had many things in common with the Midwestern farmers who I traveled with.

Watching a trans-Atlantic dialogue of farmers discussing everything from trade and politics, to milk and manure, was something I will never forget.

The time spent in Germany further cemented the lessons learned in Finland in 1995: The world remains a big place, but thanks to trade, technology and travel, it is getting smaller every day.

Casey Langan Rural Route Editor Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation

Editor Casey Langan 608.828.5711

Designer Lynn Siekmann 608.828.5707

Contributor Amy Eckelberg 608.828.5706

Address of Publication Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation PO Box 5550 1241 John Q. Hammons Dr. Madison, WI 53705-0550 Postmaster: Send address changes to Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation PO Box 5550 Madison, WI 53705-0550

Contact Information 608.836.5575 800.261.FARM (3276) www.wfbf.com info.demingway@wfbf.com

WFBF Board of Directors Jim Holte, Elk Mound, (President) Richard Gorder, Mineral Point, (Vice President) Dave Daniels, Union Grove Arch Morton Jr., Janesville Joe Bragger, Independence Kevin Krentz, Berlin Rosie Lisowe, Chilton Wayne Staidl, Peshtigo Don Radtke, Merrill Rosalie Geiger, Reedsville (Promotion and Education Committee Chair) Derek Orth, Stitzer (YFA Committee Chair) Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation’s Rural Route (ISSN 39940) (USPS 1082-1368), the official publication of the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation, is published six times per year in February/March, April/May, June/July, August/ September, October/November and December/ January. Subscription of $5 is included in Farm Bureau dues. Periodical postage is paid at Madison, Wisconsin. All rights reserved. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in whole or part without written consent.

For advertising rates and information: Wisconsin accounts contact Slack Attack at 608.222.7630 or barbara@slackattack.com.

National accounts contact Casey McNeal at 800.798.2691 ext. 334 or casey@iafalls.com.

For general inquiries, contact Casey Langan at 608.828.5711 or clangan@wfbf.com.

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Wisconsin farm bureau federation

Farm Bureau’s Trans-Atlantic Dialogue

By Casey Langan

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omething interesting happened when a group of 20 Farm Bureau members from Wisconsin, Illinois and Iowa traveled to Germany last month to explore the topics of dairy production and trade. When farmers from the Midwest and Germany met, it was at times like they were looking in the mirror and at times looking into their own futures.

Due to the elimination of their government pricing system last year and low global dairy prices, Germany’s dairy farms appear poised for a painful downsizing.

German farmers sought information about herd expansion, commodity futures and how to manage their own financial risk.

Midwestern farmers inquired about the layers of regulation their European counterparts face from grocers and governments on the local, state, national and international levels. It made for interesting and frank farmer-to-farmer dialogue.

That was the goal of the study trip coordinated by the German American Chambers of Commerce of the Midwest.

It is hoped that an informed dialogue will overcome existing barriers to trade through a series of roundtables and trips between Americans and Germans through 2017. The German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy has supported this initiative that brought two groups of German farmers and agricultural interests to the Midwest last fall.

The backdrop of these exchanges is a proposed trade agreement between the United States and the European Union called the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP). While the average American has never heard of TTIP, in Germany it faces a major public relations problem. Germans are concerned consumer protection and environmental standards will decline if trade with the United States is liberalized under TTIP. Agriculture in Germany is a societal debate.

Genetically Modified Organisms, pesticide use, food sanitation practices and consumption of hormone-treated beef are all points of friction and have slowed TTIP’s negotiations.

The United States is already Germany’s second largest export market, but TTIP would further reduce tariffs and technical barriers. While having different definitions of April | May 2016

what should be labeled or accredited as ‘sustainable’ would appear to be a hornet’s nest for trade negotiators, it is thought by some that TTIP offers the chance to set sustainability standards that would become the standard for the global market.

“The word sustainability is defined, implemented German agriculture is changing. Since and culturally 1999 there has been a 20 percent drop in ingrained in the number of farms. As is the trend across Germany,” Europe, farms are getting larger. German remarked WFBF agricultural exports have had a four-fold Vice President increase since 1990.

Richard Gorder.

At some point TTIP fell behind the Trans Pacific Partnership on the Obama Administration’s priority list. Although President Obama is scheduled to be in Hannover, Germany, on April 2425 to discuss TTIP with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, some had hoped TTIP would be negotiated before November’s election, but now that timetable seems unlikely.

A number of societal factors in Germany appear as roadblocks for TTIP. It was said that Germans are generally distrustful of their government and scientists. Not only is there a lingering undercurrent of anti-Americanism in the wake of the National Security Agency’s (NSA) spying scandal, but the recent influx of Syrian refugees into Germany has triggered a wave of isolationism.

Farm Bureau’s, March 13-18 trip to Germany included meetings with a mix of stakeholders: leaders from government, farm organizations, research and educational institutions, and most importantly, a diversified mix of dairy farmers.

“Germany opened my eyes to the continued need for dialogue; dialogue with regulators in order to protect the environment, livestock and our right to farm; and dialogue with retailers in order to continue to help them meet the needs of consumers,” said Kevin Krentz, a dairy farmer and WFBF board member.

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Two Sides A Message from Jim Holte

Talking trade at the U.S. Embassy in Berlin with Kelly Stang (left) agricultural counselor for the Foreign Agricultural Service, and Sabine Lieberz, a senior agricultural specialist.

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an we expand agricultural trade with the European Union?

That was the underlying question of a recent study trip focused on German dairy production. The German American Chambers of Commerce hosted a group of 20 Farm Bureau members and staff from Wisconsin, Illinois and Iowa.

By the time I returned home, my enthusiastic view of expanded trade was tempered by a realization that agriculture’s inclusion in a proposed trade agreement with the European Union will be very difficult to achieve.

While Germany is embroiled in controversy over an influx of Syrian refugees, it wasn’t so long ago that farm and food policy was its front burner issue.

Germans don’t want to sacrifice quality for a perceived lack of food safety and environmental standards from the United States. Last October, at least 100,000 protestors took to the streets of Berlin in opposition to the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) between

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the United States and the European Union.

German consumers won’t accept the biotechnology (GMOs) that Americans commonly use to farm. Right or wrong, emotion rules over science with a population that has experienced Mad Cow Disease, Chernobyl and the growth of the Green Party in ways that Americans have not.

A German dairy farmer told me (without hesitation) that he would grow biotech crops if they were allowed, but he has to farm within a box of environmental, climate change and animal welfare regulations that we Americans don’t understand nor will accept (at least not in the foreseeable future).

I found each of the dairy farmers we met to be as talented as their American counterparts, with a strong commitment to animal care. They use robotic milking systems, rotary parlors and begin feeding their young calves with total mixed

rations. They also have the ability to track the movement of cattle and other livestock in ways that exceed our own. Yet animal welfare regulations force them to bear the costs of veterinarians for simple practices that many U.S. farmers perform themselves.

Germany is a nation about the size of Montana and is home to 84 million residents. Topography and history influences the style and size of its farms.

Our travel itinerary did not take us to smaller dairies found in the southern state of Bavaria. Still, the divide between the former east-west political boundaries could be felt on the farms. In the west, where smaller, independently-owned farms were established, we met an 18th generation dairy farmer doing well for himself. In former East Germany it was common to find jointly-owned larger dairies that were collective farms before the Berlin Wall fell in 1989.

The one thing all German dairies have in common is they are suffering from a downturn in prices brought on by a perfect storm of events.

Germany just went cold turkey from dairy price supports and the European Union abandoned a production quota system that had been on the books since the early 1980s. Strong dairy supplies across the globe, coupled with China’s economic slowdown, and a trade embargo from a key trading partner (Russia) has Germany’s dairy farmers reeling and poised to go through a painful downsizing. This comes despite the fact that the number of German dairy farms has declined from 130,000 to 75,000 in the past decade.

Many questions for us from German farmers and leaders of the Deutscher Bauernverband (German Farmers Association), the equivalent of their Farm Bureau, were about the effectiveness of the farm bill’s dairy Margin Protection Program and other commodity futures trading options. The power of four major grocers in Germany (to determine prices and dictate regulations) also was

Wisconsin farm bureau federation

In a calf barn with Dr. Uwe Clar (center) at the Vocational Training Our first farm tour was with Jurgen Mangelsdorf, part-owner of a Center near Echem. dairy farm in the former East Germany, near the border with Poland.

mentioned frequently.

It’s a common talking point that food is affordable in the United States, we learned the same is true in Germany. A nation that experienced hunger during World War II has prioritized domestic agricultural production.

I’m not sure whether or not this was the intention of the study tour’s organizers, but walking in the shoes of German farmers, if even for a few days, shed new light on their reluctance to open their markets to American dairy products. This brings us back to the proposed TTIP trade agreement.

I’m sure there are many sectors of the American economy that will benefit from the removal of trade barriers with Europe, but outside of some crops and niche food products, I don’t see much opportunity for dairy or crops and food items derived from biotechnology.

It would seem that Asia and other hungry corners of the globe are where the real trade opportunities exist.

For that reason, the Trans Pacific Partnership (which currently awaits approval by Congress) agreement between 12 Pacific Rim nations ought to be a legislative priority this year. Success in Asia seems much more attainable for American agriculture than with a mature European market made up of relatively affluent, wellfed residents with strong opinions on how food is grown.

Farmers are farmers no matter where in the world they farm. Though divided by an ocean, I found the pride, ingenuity and work ethic of Midwestern and German farmers to be very similar. It was easy to trade stories, opinions and experiences with them.

On the other hand, given the hard-held opinions of German consumers, removing more agricultural trade barriers with Europe, might prove to be a bridge too far.

Joking with Jorgen Hemme (center), an 18th generation farmer and a master marketer of dairy products.

WFBF President since 2012, Holte is a grain and beef farmer from Elk Mound in Dunn County.

April | May 2016

Ukrainian native, Yana Filatova (right), explained the milking procedures at the dairy cooperative Karstaedt that she works at.

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DAIRY IN GERMANY

Almost the size of Montana in area, Germany has about 4.3 million cows on 75,000 dairy farms. The average herd size is 57 cows (up from 38 cows in 2005), but herd sizes vary greatly by region. The 32.7 million tons of milk that Germany produced last year equates to four percent of the world’s milk production. About half of its milk is made into cheese. Germany is the world’s second largest cheese producer, following the United States.

Diminished demand from China’s economic slowdown and a Russian embargo coupled with increased production in Europe and abroad has left German dairy farmers stung by low prices or about $12 to $13 per hundredweight for their milk.

“The European Union is in its first down cycle without a quota-supply structure to support prices.

The government and farmers are uncertain how to react,” said Richard Gorder, WFBF Vice President.

The quota system was started in 1984 to manage dairy prices. Before the quota system was eliminated last year, it was said that smaller farmers in the southern Bavarian region felt protected by it, while farms in the northwest and former East Germany sought to expand.

“A program to store dairy products was reactivated (to help farmers cope with low prices) and is quickly being maxed out with little response from farmers to cut production, which compounds the down cycle timeline. There seems to be little consensus among European Union nations on how to address overproduction,” Gorder added.

While more than 100 companies purchase milk from German farmers, only four powerful grocery chains dominate the marketplace. Tour participants were repeatedly told that the grocers place downward pressure on the price that farmers receive and dictate a series of regulations (beyond the law) for them to follow.

In addition to milk, Germany leads Europe in the production of pork, rapeseed and potatoes. The top U.S. agricultural exports to Germany are soybeans and almonds. In a country of 82 million residents, agriculture accounts for less than one percent of Germany’s Gross Domestic Product.

vit (Livestock Data Collection) It’s a business with a short, simple name (vit) but its body of work is vast and complex. Farm Bureau members visited vit, an independent data processing and service center for agriculture (especially animal husbandry) located in Verden, Germany.

It works for works for agricultural associations involved in milk recording, breeding and identification of livestock. Its integrated database processes data for more than 85 million cattle from German speaking countries. Farmers have access primarily through electronic data transfer or direct access in browser-based applications; although vit’s members are farm

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associations, not the farmers directly.

Vit provides the barcoded ear tags that all German cattle must wear within seven days of birth. Vit’s technology allows for complete tracking and traceability of all cattle and small ruminants. When a bovine (sheep, horse, goat or pig) leaves a farm it must be reported within three days. The person receiving the animal must report it as well. A bovine’s ear tag must quickly be replaced with an identical one if it is lost.

Another of vit’s services is the registration of all artificial insemination and natural matings of cattle. It also has the world’s largest database of Somatic Cell Count levels for individual dairy cattle.

Wisconsin farm bureau federation

EDUCATIONAL CENTER FOR YOUNG AND CONTINUING FARMERS The Agricultural Education Center has many purposes. It provides a basic education for young agriculturists and continuing education classes for farmers. It also is a research facility where the latest trends in animal welfare and sustainability are put into practice and data is collected to compare the differences in yield.

All of this is done at an open-to-the-public facility for an ever-curious, non-farm population to inspect. Located in Echem, the facility maintains separate dairy and swine farms that provide hands-on vocational training for the more than 1,700 apprentices working on farms in the German state of Lower Saxony annually.

Outreach courses for active farms include topics from anesthesia to hoof trimming.

To train students different ways to milk cows, the farm features a robotic milker, as well as a parlor that features a parallel-style and a herringbone parlor.

To provide an example of quality animal welfare, the Chamber of Agriculture required the facility to provide outdoor access for the 145 cows housed in two newly built barns.

The herd is fed a ration of grass silage, corn silage and rapeseed For 90 percent of Germany’s 380,000 farmers,

GERMAN FARMERS’ ASSOCIATION

the German Farmers’ Association (officially called Deutscher Bauernverband or DBV) is known as the ‘Voice of the German Farmer.’

Farm Bureau leaders met with the With established markets around the DBV’s Vice President Udo Folgart at globe, Masterrind is Germany’s leading cattle the organization’s offices in Berlin on genetics company. General manager Ralf March 14. Folgart (left; with WFBF Director Kevin Krentz, a dairy farmer from Berlin, Wisconsin) farms 40 kilometers northwest of Berlin in a limited liability corporation with 300 dairy cows and a 140 cow-calf beef herd. He referred to the arid region where potatoes are irrigated as the “sandbox of Germany.”

Founded in 1948, the DBV is considered the ‘roof organization’ of the 18 member states. It follows a similar grassroots approach as Farm Bureau when it comes to Strassemeyer led a setting policy. Dues are collected tour at the company’s on a per hectare basis for each headquarters in Verden farmer member. DBV advocates from the laboratories to towards policy-makers, consumers the bull barn. and the media about the social With 196 million € (or and economic situation of German $219 million) in revenue farmers. last year, Masterrind Among Folgart’s political concerns provides artificial were the growing influence of the insemination services of Green Party and the future of the some of Germany’s best German dairy industry, one year Holstein bulls that produce functional and after production quota limits were high-producing dairy cows. With a population lifted. He asked the American guests of 725,000 registered cows, Masterrind has about the Dairy Margin Protection the largest herd book population in Germany.

Program. “Does it work? Are farmers Last year, 3.3 million doses of bull semen satisfied?”

MASTERRIND

April | May 2016

and canola extract. Like many dairies in the region, refused feed and manure fuel an onsite biogas plant. The Agricultural Education Center is funded by the Chamber of Agriculture of Lower Saxony, which is funded by farmers’ property taxes.

were sold (about 1 million of which were exported). The company also specializes in advanced genetic technologies such as embryo transfers and sexed semen. Sexed semen is where male and female sperm cells are separated, giving a 90 percent reliability rate of the sex of a calf, leading to a faster increase of male or female progeny (dependent on demand). Masterrind, which sold 51,000 doses of sexed semen last year, has its own gender sorting system and does not have to rely on Sexing Technologies, the Texasbased genetics company that first introduced the service.

In all, Masterrind selects about 80 young sires annually for the breeding program. In addition to dairy, they also provide service for 20 beef breeds, including Simmentals, which are popular in southern Germany as a dual-use (dairy and beef) breed. For more information, visit www.masterrind.com.

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Gläserne Molkerei (GLASS DAIRY)

Founded in 2001, Glasern Molkerei is an organic dairy processing facility that quickly became a market leader for fresh milk. It is located near the small town of Munchehofe, 40 kilometers south of Berlin.

Most of the milk is supplied by certified organic farmers in northeast Germany.

The company’s goal is to make the entire dairy production chain transparent from farm to consumer. Its name means ‘glass dairy’ and its state-of-the-art facility allows visitors to view the making of cheese, butter and other dairy products from a long hallway of glass windows overlooking the production and storage areas.

Hemme Milch (Hemme Milk)

The Hemme family has been farming in the Lower Saxony village of Wedemark since 1589. As an 18th generation farmer Jorgen Hemme has taken the farm in a different direction.

In the 1990s, he started a milkman business, selling milk in glass bottles directly to consumers. Twenty years ago, he had 29 cows and today, he has a herd of 420 Holsteins that are milked on a floating 32-cow rotary parlor. In 2010, he

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built a €3 million processing facility, which was partially funded with a government entrepreneurship grant, to make butter, yogurt, fluid and flavored milk.

Hemme said that there are fewer than 10 dairy farmers who are direct marketing milk to German consumers. Part of his marketing strategy has been free social media, unique packaging, taste tests in stores and opening up the historic and scenic farm, which is in a highly populated and affluent area, to the public.

“The image of dairy is good, better than farmers think,” said Hemme who mentioned that in the 1980s, at the age of 19, he worked on a dairy farm near Shawano.

Though conventionally produced, he sells his dairy products marketed as ‘fresh milk’ for more than the price of organic.

Wisconsin farm bureau federation

What they said...

“A handful of grocers are on par with the government at mandating accepted farm management styles and systems.

Grocers have created and structured an incentive program for the farmers who comply with their marketing values.” - Richard Gorder, Iowa County dairy farmer and WFBF Vice President.

“Dairy farming is a global occupation, but on the trip it became very apparent that whether you farm in Wisconsin or Germany the challenges you face are all too similar. Through our visits it was continually noted that market volatility, employment issues and meeting the everchanging demands of the consumer market are always present concerns for a farmer.” - Andrea Brossard, Dodge County dairy farmer and former state Young Farmer and Agriculturist chair.

“One thing that really hit home for me about TTIP (the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership) was that American agriculture needs to be careful to avoid importing European Union regulations.”Kevin Krentz, Waushara County dairy farmer and WFBF board member.

“It seemed that the social restrictions and animal welfare requirements are knocking on our door. I hope that those things do not become a bargaining chip in future trade negotiations.” - Dave Daniels, Kenosha County dairy farmer and WFBF board member.

“Government incentives have fueled Germany’s race to phase out of nuclear energy and achieve energy independence.

As a result, windmills, solar panels and biogas facilities were everywhere.”

- Jim Holte, Dunn County farmer and WFBF President.

“I found Germany and the United States to be similar with strict regulations, consumers closely watching what we are doing, and farmers always looking to improve their farms.

American agriculture has a great opportunity to share our research and advancements with consumers to assure them that we are good at what we do.” - Rosie Lisowe, Calumet County dairy farmer and WFBF board member.

April | May 2016

“German farmers tend to live in villages rather than on the farm itself.

Their mandatory animal identification system is quite restrictive. Birth, movement and death of cattle must be reported in a short period of time.

However the similarities of its dairy sector to Wisconsin’s far outnumber the differences. Even their wolves are protected.” Wayne Staidl, Marinette County beef farmer and WFBF board member.

“The German public wants to see small farms, but it’s hard for them to survive with all of the regulations they face, even with almost half of farm income coming from government payments.”

- Don Radtke, WFBF board member from Marathon County and farm operations manager of Northcentral Technical College’s Agriculture Center of Excellence.

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#WIAgProud Campaign Helps Farmers Get Social

F

or the third year in a row the Wisconsin Farm Bureau hosted the #WIAgProud campaign on National Ag Day, which took place on March 15. Farmers and agriculturists from around Wisconsin flooded social media to explain why they are proud to be a part of the agriculture community.

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Wisconsin farm bureau federation

ggie nswers

Maddi Colbeth

Kaitlin Konder

We asked Wisconsin State FFA officers: What is your favorite film and why?

Beth Zimmer

Jason Roth

Jared Retzlaff

Secretary

Vice President

Vice President

Vice President

Vice President

American Sniper. This movie is an amazing tribute to all of those who have fought for our freedom and reminds us how proud we should be to be Americans.

Cinderella because she doesn't always get what she wants, but she never gives up.

When life puts me down I hope to be like Cinderella and love the little things!

Warrior. This sports movie tells the story of two brothers who don't see eye to eye after reuniting. Bring your Kleenexes, because you'll need them by the end of this movie!

Big Hero 6 because it’s a fun, animated film that everyone can enjoy.

Unlike many movies, Big Hero 6 teaches us about real life issues we all face such as losing someone we love.

Dead Poets Society. I love this movie because it challenges the idea of conformity and stresses the importance of living every day to the fullest.

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April | May 2016

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visit our blogs at blueinklaw.com

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‘Top Ten’

of the Legislative Session

By Rob Richard

Following the Big Ten Conference model of having 14 schools when the name says otherwise, Farm Bureau’s governmental relations team offers up their ‘top ten’ of the 2015-2016 state

Fall Harvest Weight Exemption

(WI Act 235): Senate Bill 509, introduced by Rep. John Spiros (R-Marshfield) and Sen. Jerry Petrowski (R-Marathon), changes the start date for the 15 percent increase in seasonal weight limits for certain vehicles transporting agricultural crops from September 1 to August 1, which will be especially helpful for potato and vegetable growers. This exemption that exists under s. 348.17(5) WI Stats will be applied from August 1 to December 31 of each year. Senate Bill 509 was signed into law as WI Act 235 on March 1.

Right-of-Way in Roundabouts

(WI Act 139): Assembly Bill 451, introduced by Rep. Ed Brooks (R-Reedsburg) and Sen. Howard Marklein (R-Spring Green), allows larger vehicles to legally deviate from a lane when going through a multi-lane roundabout, and gives these vehicles the right of way to smaller vehicles when inside the roundabout. This will make operating any vehicle or vehicle combination that is longer than 40 feet

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and federal legislative sessions. In no particular order, these 14 agriculturally-related issues made news in Madison and Washington, D.C.

and/or wider than 10 feet, including implements of husbandry (IOH) and agricultural commercial motor vehicles (Ag-CMVs), through a roundabout a little more manageable. Assembly Bill 451 was signed into law as WI Act 139 on February 4.

Implements of Husbandry

IOH 2.0 and IOH 3.0 (WI Act 15 and WI Act 232): Two separate bills were passed this legislative session – approximately a year apart from each other – to make more than 35 distinct, yet very technical modifications to 2013 WI Act 377. Introduced by Rep. Keith Ripp (R-Lodi) and Sen. Jerry Petrowski (R-Marathon), these bills are the result of feedback from many WFBF members who attended IOH presentations across the state during the past 18 months.

Assembly Bill 113 (IOH 2.0) was signed into law as WI Act 15 on April 29, 2015, and Senate Bill 448 (IOH 3.0) was signed into law as WI Act 232 on March 1, 2016. For the most part, Act 15 and Act 232 largely made changes allowing for the ease of transporting IOH and Ag-CMVs

to and from farm-related destinations; legalizing rubber-tracked IOH; updating the statutory definition of farm tractor; updating SMV sign usage to correct inconsistencies and clarify its true purpose (to indicate speed); further clarify how wide implements being trailered need to be properly lighted and marked; among many other technical items intended to make the law work better for farmers.

Piping of Manure

(WI Act 231): Senate Bill 390, introduced by Rep. James Edming (R-Glen Flora) and Sen. Jerry Petrowski (R-Marathon), establishes a local permitting system to allow lines transporting manure temporarily within highway rights-of-way. In addition, the bill establishes a local permitting system to install permanent pipes or conduits for temporary piping under existing roadways.

This will help allow the transport of liquid manure without causing further harm to rural roads by keeping heavy tankers off of aging infrastructure. Senate Bill 390 was signed into law as WI Act 231 on March 1.

Wisconsin farm bureau federation

UW System Agricultural Land Sales

(WI Act 230): Senate Bill 571, introduced by Rep. Keith Ripp (R-Lodi) and Sen. Jerry Petrowski (R-Marathon), provides narrow flexibilities to allow the UW-Madison and its College of Agricultural and Life Sciences to react in a timely manner to a rapidly changing agricultural real estate landscape by selling or exchanging properties in urban areas and reinvesting in land that becomes available near other existing research stations in rural locations. The properties involved must serve the purpose of agricultural research and instruction.

Senate Bill 571 was signed into law as WI Act 230 on March 1.

High Capacity Wells

Several bills were introduced this legislative session to address high capacity wells and groundwater withdrawals.

Discussions occurred throughout the last year to see if an agreement could be reached concerning comprehensive groundwater legislation. Issues discussed included: the protection of existing private wells; process for determining sensitive resource areas (SRA); what happens to proposed high capacity well permit applications while the SRA is being studied; and the issuance of permits to repair and reconstruct an already DNRapproved well that has failed. Each house of the legislature passed their own version of a high capacity well bill but passage of the same bill in both houses failed before they adjourned for the session.

Adverse Possession Private Property

(WI Act 200): Senate Bill 344, introduced by Rep. David Craig (R-Big Bend) and Sen. Chris Kapenga (RDelafield), retains the law of adverse possession but clarifies how the title record holder (rightful landowner) can interrupt someone’s ability to adversely possess the rightful landowner’s property.

The rightful landowner can now submit an ‘affidavit of interruption’ along with a survey of the parcel to the register of deeds and notify the abutting neighbor via certified mail of the rightful landowner’s actions. Wisconsin farmers own 14.5 million acres of land and there are hundreds of adverse possession cases each year. This bill helps retain an important and useful law, but better clarifies how

someone can stop an adverse possession claim against them. Senate Bill 344 was signed into law as WI Act 200 on March 1.

Adverse Possession Public Property (WI Act 219): Senate Bill 314, introduced by Rep. Robert Brooks (R-Saukville) and Sen. Howard Marklein (R-Spring Green), prohibits adverse possession and prescriptive easements against real estate property owned by the state or a political subdivision. To respect the rights of private landowners, it also prohibits state and local government entities from adversely possessing private land. Senate Bill 314 was signed into law as WI Act 219 on March 1.

Farmer-Led Watershed Grants

(WI Act 55): The 2015-16 budget bill directs the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection to make watershed protection grants available to farmer-led organizations that assist farmers in voluntarily enhancing nonpoint source pollution abatement activities. Each year, $250,000 will be made available in certain watersheds from existing DATCP funding for nonpoint source pollution prevention activities.

DATCP is in the process of finalizing the rules for the program and should be issuing grants for projects soon. Governor Walker created this program when he signed Senate Bill 21 (the executive budget act) into law as WI Act 55.

Wolves

In 2011, the Obama Administration’s Interior Secretary delisted the gray wolf in the western Great Lakes from the endangered species list and declared the population was “fully recovered and healthy.” In 2014, a federal judge overruled wildlife management’s decision and returned the gray wolf to the endangered species list, thus abruptly halting Wisconsin’s wolf hunting season and severely limiting a farmer’s ability to prevent livestock depredation by wolves.

U.S. Senator Ron Johnson (R-WI) and Congressman Reid Ribble (R-WI) have since introduced legislation to once again delist the gray wolf in the western Great Lakes and Wyoming and provide U.S. wildlife management the ability to relist the wolf if and when it needs protection.

Those bills are currently working their way through both houses of Congress.

Transportation Funding

There continues to be an ongoing and extensive discussion not only at the Capitol, but in every Wisconsin community, about the financing, maintenance and construction of road projects. We do not have a long-term, sustainable transportation funding system in place. Agriculture relies on a good transportation network to move farm machinery, products and services, but that network is aging. Last year’s budget only applied a ‘band aid’ on our funding problem by borrowing $850 million, and put us on a trajectory for debt service payments that will encompass nearly 25 percent of all expenditures coming out of the fund.

Waters of the United States

A regulation from the Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to expand the definition of ‘waters of the United States’ subject to the Clean Water Act went into effect on August 28, 2015. The 297-page rule greatly expands the EPA’s jurisdiction to regulate activities on land adjacent to surface waters. Both AFBF and WFBF have opposed the rule.

Shortly thereafter, the U.S. District Court of North Dakota issued a preliminary injunction halting EPA from enforcing the rule in the 13 states who originally challenged EPA’s authority.

Then on October 9, the Sixth Circuit of the U.S. Court of Appeals issued an order to temporarily delay the WOTUS rule nationwide. This was in response to challenges brought by 18 others states, including Wisconsin. Litigation challenging the rule is ongoing and will be for years to come unless legislation can be enacted to overturn the WOTUS rule.

A resolution was pass by the House of Representatives by a vote of 253-166 and by the U.S. Senate by a vote of 53-44 that would nullify the WOTUS rule.

Republican members of the Wisconsin Congressional Delegation voted for the resolution and Democrat members voted against it. President Obama vetoed the legislation in January. The fate of the WOTUS rule will be determined by the courts.

Continues on Page 16

April | May 2016

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Top 10 Continued from Page 15

Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP)

On February 4, 2016, the U.S. and 11 other countries signed the TransPacific Partnership (TPP) trade agreement after more than five years of negotiations. The next step to finalize the trade agreement is for President Obama to submit it to Congress for its approval. It is speculated that this may happen early this summer, but there is no guarantee in an election year. Some speculate that Congress won’t consider the TPP until after the November 8 election.

The American Farm Bureau Federation estimates that annual net farm income will increase by $4.4 billion due to the increase of U.S. agricultural exports of $5.3 billion per year upon the TPP’s full implementation. AFBF estimates that the TPP agreement will increase cash receipts and net exports for Wisconsin by $172.2 million and $91.6 million per year, respectively. Along with AFBF, the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation supports ratification of the TPP trade agreement.

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GMO Labeling

Vermont’s state law requiring mandatory labeling food products containing GMOs is scheduled to go into effect on July 1, 2016.

To prevent a patchwork of differing state GMO laws, the Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act (H.R. 1599) was introduced in the House of Representatives on March 25, 2015, by Reps. Mike Pompeo (R-Kan) and G.K. Butterfield (D-N.C.). This legislation provides a national framework for the voluntary labeling of GMO foods based on consistent, national standards that are driven by science. It also would authorize USDA as the agency to oversee the labeling requirements. The Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act (H.R. 1599) was passed in the House of Representatives on July 23, 2015, with a vote of 275-150.

A similar labeling bill S.2609 was introduced in the U.S. Senate by Senator Pat Roberts (R-Kan) on March 1, 2016. The bill was approved by the Senate Ag Committee, but failed to get the necessary votes on the Senate floor.

Consequently Vermont’s labeling law will now go into effect.

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Wisconsin farm bureau federation

News

Bennwitz Promoted to Executive Assistant J

ill Bennwitz has been promoted to Wisconsin Farm Bureau’s Executive Assistant.

Bennwitz will bring 35 years of work experience to her new role between the Madison-based Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation and its insurance affiliate, Rural Mutual Insurance Company.

She has served as an administrative assistant for the Farm Bureau’s Operations Division since 1999. She held various positions at Rural Mutual for 18 years prior.

April | May 2016

“Jill knows our organization and understands our culture,” said Dale Beaty, Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation’s Chief Administrative Officer. “She is one of the most hard-working people I know, and she is committed to achieving excellence in everything she does. Her experience, administrative talents and customer service skills make her a great fit for this position.”

As Executive Assistant, her responsibilities will include providing direct support for WFBF’s President and Chief Administrative Officer, administrative support for the 11-member WFBF Board of Directors and assist with preparations for the WFBF Annual Meeting.

“I’m extremely excited for this new opportunity to continue my work with Farm Bureau and its members,” Bennwitz said.

She and her husband, Tom, live in Verona and have two adult children, Kristina and Kyle. A native of Elmwood in Pierce County, Bennwitz grew up on her parents’ dairy farm with six siblings.

Bennwitz began her new duties on March 14. She succeeds Becky Schollian who will retire from Farm Bureau on April 29.

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L

B

ife can change in the matter of an instant. On the morning of December 26, Steve Kling felt his life change with one phone call. At 4:15 a.m., Kling was notified he would receive a lung transplant after battling Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF).

"I had trouble breathing for nearly six years," said Kling, who has a herd of 50 cows near Taylor. "Last winter and spring was when it had gotten worse."

Originally identified as farmer's lung, Kling had gone years under the impression he was suffering from a condition caused by repeated exposure to dust inhalation resulting in lung inflammation. As his symptoms worsened, however, he knew it was time to take a closer look.

It was at Black River Memorial Hospital in Black River Falls where Kling first came to terms with the severity of his condition. Following a chest x-ray, his doctor reported what he had seen.

"I could tell by the look on his face that it wasn't good," Kling said. "He told me it was very bad and referred me to a pulmonary specialist at Gunderson Lutheran in La Crosse."

Being a farmer, however, Kling warned them he had obligations on his dairy.

While his wife, Pat, took on chores within the barn, Kling still took care of the field work.

"I wanted to get my corn planted and first crop hay done. Once it was done, I was able to get in in mid-June," Kling said.

Kling was diagnosed with IFP following a lung biopsy preformed on his right lung. Pulmonary Fibrosis is a disease that causes tissue deep within the lung to stiffen and scar over time. In cases where the cause is unknown, it is recognized as idiopathic. Kling began using an oxygen tank and a concentrator when working in the field.

After going to Gunderson Lutheran, Kling was once again referred to University Hospital in Madison, where the discussion of a transplant began to move forward in September. In order to be put on the transplant list to receive a new left lung, Kling had to be of the highest mental and physical heath possible.

To determine his eligibility, Kling, Pat and their daughter, Sarah, spent four

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Breathing in New Life

Taylor dairy farmer receives lung transplant

by Cassie Olson

Steve and Patricia Kling on their 50-cow dairy farm after he received a life-saving lung transplant on December 26. Steve is the president of the Jackson County Farm Bureau.

Wisconsin farm bureau federation

days at the Madison hospital under intense testing and analysis. Once on the transplant list, Kling would no longer be able to take modified virus vaccines. He was updated on all shots and vaccinations during this time.

"It was certainly an extensive process, but once everything was completed in December, the time came to determine if I would be put on a transplant list," Kling said.

Kling was in respiratory therapy on December 23 when Pat received notice that Kling was going to be listed that day. The transplant coordinator told them there were 25 candidates on the list, but Kling was the only one of his blood type.

"They told us to pack our bags, as it could go quite quickly," Kling said. "Even with that notice, we barely had time to prepare ourselves for what was next."

Steve Kling looks out over his farm after returning to his home on January 13. Unable When the phone rang on the to complete barn chores on his own, he is hopeful he will find a young couple to help morning of December 26, Kling transition ownership of the herd. knew it had to be something big.

"The transplant coordinator said, 'We have a lung'," Kling said. none of this would have taken place and transplant. Madison does about 50 "From there, we had 3.5 hours to get to prolonged my life to enjoy with family lung transplants a year, and there were Madison." and friends. To you, I am truly grateful," several who had them recently and were Kling and his family arrived at the Kling said. "I hope anyone who reads this recovering in the area," Kling said. hospital at 7:30 a.m. He was then will also consider organ donation. Let In the six weeks since the surgery, prepped and waiting in the pre-operating Kling has been impressed with how well family members know your wishes, put room as surgeon Dr. Jim Maloney the orange dot on your drivers' license his body has taken to the change. With examined the lung for any possible or sign up online at YesIWillWisconsin. how soon he was able to get the lung complications. Once he deemed it safe to com." transplant, he said he wasn't entirely sure proceed, the rest moved quickly.

Although he must be careful, Kling what he had expected to happen.

"It was just like a scene from the looks forward to returning to the fields "We really didn't have much time movies," Kling said. "The surgeon came come spring. As for the dairy, however, to think about and research the whole out and said, 'It's a go.' It was time for he and his wife are currently seeking out process because it was right over hugs and kisses and they were taking me couples who might have an interest in Christmas," Kling said. "It is quite a back." caring for the cows. coordinated effort to get everything in The surgery went smoothly and by 7:30 place, and to have it go so well."

"I can no longer do the barn chores, but p.m., Kling was awake. He said it was I'd like to keep working with the crops," Although Kling's body has taken well nothing short of amazing. to the new organ, there is still a long road Kling said. "I'd really like to find a couple "It really felt like a dream. During the who has that interest in buying the cows of checkups and appointments in his surgery, I was on a breathing machine. and help them get farming." future. He is thankful for the support of Once they took out the tube, I was It may have been a long road to his family, friends and community, as well breathing on my own. I didn't need get here, but Kling is grateful for his as the talent of his medical team. oxygen anymore," Kling said.

"I really need to thank Dr. Jim Maloney Christmas miracle.

Kling spent nine days in the hospital "It was a good enough gift to be put and his team in Madison," Kling said. and another eight in a hotel nearby. on the list before Christmas," Kling said.

"Everything was done so precisely, so During this time, Kling was able to "But, with this lung, I can truly say I efficiently; it's amazing what they can connect with other transplant recipients received the greatest gift of all." do." and those on the waiting list, which he Just as importantly, Kling is thankful said was an eye-opening experience. for the donor's family and their incredible Story and photos reprinted with permission of the "Before the transplant, it was hard generosity.

Dairy Star newspaper. to find someone who had had a lung "Without this donation of such a gift, April | May 2016

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News

Leopold Conservation Award® Seeks Nominees S

and County Foundation, Applications must be postmarked by August 5.

Wisconsin Farm Nominations may be submitted on behalf of a Bureau Federation, landowner, or landowners may nominate themselves.

Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board and Wisconsin Land and Water Conservation Association are accepting applications for the $10,000 Leopold Conservation Award, which honors Wisconsin farmers who demonstrate exemplary stewardship and management of natural resources.

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Applications must be postmarked by August 5, 2016, and mailed to Leopold Conservation Award, c/o Sand County Foundation, 131 W. Wilson St., Suite 610, Madison, WI 53711.

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Wisconsin farm bureau federation

Rural Landowners Should Check 2016 Tax Assessments T

he Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation urges rural landowners to check their property tax assessments this spring.

“Land on Wisconsin farms generally falls into one of five classifications,” explained Paul Zimmerman, Wisconsin Farm Bureau’s Executive Director of Governmental Relations.

Agricultural Land is subject to the use value assessment law, and is further classified as Grades 1, 2 or 3, or pastureland.

Agricultural Forest is assessed at 50 percent of market value, this is a woodlot located on a parcel also containing Agricultural Land, or wooded land contiguous to a parcel entirely classified as Agricultural Land under the same ownership.

Productive Forest Land is a wooded area that does not meet qualifications as Agricultural Forest and is assessed at market value.

Undeveloped Land is a classification that encompasses wetlands, swamps and wasteland, all of which are assessed at 50 percent of market value.

Other encompasses the farmstead and farm buildings which are assessed at market value.

“Farmers need to be aware of how the various types of land they own are classified in order to determine how assessments apply,” Zimmerman said.

“Tax assessment statements for municipalities are typically issued in April and May to notify landowners of changes in property assessments,” Zimmerman said. “If farmers have questions about their assessments, they should first talk with their assessor. They should also be aware of the appeals process available through their local Board of Review.”

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21

Women’s Summit Grows Leaders, Blossoms Friendships

Above: Rob Richard, Wisconsin Farm Bureau’s Senior Director of Governmental Relations, moderated a panel which discussed how to effectively make your point when working with legislators. Panelists included State Rep. Joan Ballweg, former State Rep. Amy Sue Vruwink and Diane Handrick, legislative aide to State Rep. Dave Murphy.

Above: NBC15 Reporter Amy Pflugshaupt moderated a panel called, “Women in Ag: Understanding Where We’ve Been and Where We’re Headed,” for the opening session of the Wisconsin Ag Women’s Summit. The panel included Julie Larson of Merial Animal Health, Jolynne Schroepfer of Satori Cheese and dairy and grain farmer Zoey Brooks.

Casino night had the ladies laughing and meeting other women from across the state.

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Left: Jerry Apps was the closing keynote speaker for the Summit. He shared tips on how to write your own family stories down and explained that people need to hear farming stories because they are unique and special.

Summit attendees got to try a green screen photo booth as part of the evening’s entertainment. You can see all the fun photos on the Wisconsin Ag Women’s Summit Facebook page.

Wisconsin farm bureau federation

Farm Bureau Paved the Way for the 2016

AgVocate of the Year D

eb Reinhart, the “I give where I can be most effective,” said Reinhart.

2016 AgVocate She has mentored through college and tech school programs of the Year, is quick as well as the Professional Dairy Producers of Wisconsin to point out that her Mentor Program. involvement in Farm “We have to keep telling our story because the people who Bureau when she started will tell it for us won’t get it right, they won’t say it the way we farming more than 40 want them to, and who knows better than us how to tell our ag years ago promoted her story?” asked Reinhart. “Farming is our way of life and we live journey of advocating for on the land and support our local communities.” agriculture.

Reinhart’s advice to others in the industry: “Farm Bureau • Train to become a good communicator. was the way to grow • Take advantage of organization’s programs and make good leadership skills,” said use of the resources.

Reinhart, who grew • Be visible. up in Gettysburg, • Realize your gift and learn how to express it, know that you Pennsylvania, and can make a difference. earned a degree in home “Reinhart is proud to speak up for agriculture and to be seen economics from Drexel as a practical, transparent spokesperson for the industry,” said University. “Starting out Rosie Lisowe, who nominated Reinhart and serves on the in farming there were lots of opportunities and I started my WFBF Board of Directors representing District 6. mission to be the voice of the farmer. I learned to use the tools “Deb’s hope is to leave a legacy through her work with Farm that Farm Bureau had for young farmers.”

Bureau and PDPW so that we pass on to the next generation Reinhart was the first female to serve on the Calumet an industry that is financially sound, socially responsible and County Farm Bureau board. She served as secretary after sustainable,” said Lisowe. moving to New Holstein with her husband David Geiser.

Since 2013, the Wisconsin Ag Women’s Summit has She participated in the Wisconsin Rural Leadership Program recognized an AgVocate of the Year. This award is given to a and Dairy 2020. The couple also was recognized as a WFBF woman who actively and positively represents agriculture to Outstanding Young Farmer Top 10 recipient. her peers and those outside of the agriculture community. She Reinhart was recognized as a true promoter of agriculture works to tell agriculture’s story in a professional manner and is and named the 2016 AgVocate of the Year at the Wisconsin seen as a leader and voice for local and state issues and events.

Ag Women’s Summit held March 4 and 5 in Middleton. More Previous AgVocate award winners include Daphne than 325 women were in attendance to celebrate their role Holterman, Watertown; Laura Daniels, Cobb; Karyn Schauf, in agriculture at the event, hosted by Badgerland Financial, Barron; and Nodji VanWychen, Warrens.

Wisconsin Farm Bureau Foundation and UW-Extension.

“I’m humbled and honored to be your AgVocate of the Year,” said Reinhart who is the executive director for the Professional Dairy Producers Foundation of Wisconsin. “Thank you for lifting me up in this way.”

Reinhart and her husband, who raised three sons Ian, Joshua and Adrian and now celebrate the joys of being grandparents, own Golden Star Farms and welcome visitors to their 300-cow century dairy farm to share the story of agriculture.

Managing more than 1,000 acres, the couple partners with two non-related partners.

While the work on the farm keeps Reinhart extremely busy, the role that L to R: Amy Eckelberg, Deb Reinhart, Bryant Gill and Rochelle Schnadt. she is most proud of is mentor.

April | May 2016

wfbf.com

23

Opinion

Science, Emotion, Perception, Politics and Reality A Message from Paul Zimmerman

T

elling a good story can trump having science on your side.

This has become as true as the old adage that ‘timing is everything’ in politics. Both help explain why high capacity well legislation failed to become law during the recent two-year legislative session in Madison.

It should have been an easy sell. Pass a bill that allows for a farmer’s high capacity well to be repaired, reconstructed or transferred to another owner as part of a land purchase when needed. At times, environmentalists tried to mire this easy fix into a larger debate of overhauling our state’s groundwater regulations. Lakefront homeowners came out in droves to say that groundwater withdrawals (by farmers) are causing lake levels to drop.

The science to back their claims was

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not there, but legislators were sympathetic to their emotional testimony. That worked against the bill. The State Senate and Assembly passed slight variations of the bill and could not iron out the differences before the clock ran out on the legislative session.

Now, we wait until 2017 to try again.

Between now and then it seems there is a lesson for agriculture to learn.

Science is not always going to win the day for us in the political and public relations arenas. This has impact on other issues we face.

Research from the University of Wisconsin suggests applying manure via irrigation has benefits when done properly. This is not stopping local ordinances from being passed to ban the practice.

Scientifically-backed animal welfare practices and livestock housing systems have been banned in other states by ballot initiatives driven by animal rights activists. Now, a similar scenario is on its way to the Dairy State.

Soon the members of the National Milk Producers Federation will not accept milk from farms that dock the tails of dairy cattle.

WFBF member policy states that animal care issues (like tail docking) should be a decision between farmers and their veterinarians. Yet there is little scientific backing for tail docking in the name of milk quality. Yes it is hypocritical for the same activists who seek to ban tail docking of cows to stay silent about

the tail docking of dogs, but stop and ask yourself, do we even have science on our side with this issue?

This struggle between science and emotion was on full display while I was on a dairy tour in Germany last month.

There was no avoiding the German public’s strong opinions on sustainability, animal care issues, genetically modified seeds and climate change. Their collective reality is that the climate is changing and mankind must do something to address it, GMO crops are not safe for human consumption and farmers need to farm in a way that chases a moving target called sustainability.

Right or wrong, it seems this mindset will someday cross the ocean and be at our doorsteps. What will American farmers do when they find themselves producing food for a population who didn’t necessarily ask for all of agriculture’s technological advancements?

The first rule of business is that the customer is always right, but what if science says they are wrong?

How will we respond when science says one thing, but the public wants something else?

Armed with the knowledge that science alone no longer wins the day, farmers must start taking an active role in discussions about food production and legislative issues with as much emotion as everyone else.

Zimmerman is WFBF’s Executive Director of Governmental Relations.

Wisconsin farm bureau federation

Beyond the Fencerows A Message from Zippy Duvall Welcome to ‘Beyond the Fencerows,’ the new monthly column by AFBF President Zippy Duvall. This column is just a snapshot of the ongoing conversation President Duvall is eager to have with Farm Bureau members from across the country on the pressing issues facing agriculture. Just as President Duvall’s father encouraged him years ago to step outside his fencerows to make a difference in the policies affecting his farm, President Duvall invites you to make your voices heard to protect the business of farming for generations to come.

W

hen I attended my first county Farm Bureau meeting back in 1977, I never imagined that I’d have the privilege to serve as your president one day. My Farm Bureau journey is truly a testament to how this organization invests in young people and gives farmers and ranchers the tools we need to protect our livelihood. One of the greatest joys of Farm Bureau leadership for me has been getting the chance to give back and pass on what I have learned to the next generation.

It has certainly been a whirlwind since we all met in Orlando, but there’s no time to waste in keeping up the important work of our great organization.

I’ve enjoyed meeting with many of you over the last few months, and look forward to getting out to visit more of our members across the country to hear directly from you about the issues you are facing on your farms and ranches. I’m eager to bring your stories to Capitol Hill and represent U.S. agriculture there, but I’m not the only one our lawmakers want to hear from.

The fact is: Farmers and ranchers need to be the ones telling our story or

April | May 2016

someone else will. We each have been given a voice, but it’s our responsibility to speak up and use it. That’s what my father taught me when I was a young farmer just starting out and complaining about regulations and milk prices. “You’re not going to solve those problems inside your fencerows,” he said. “You’ve got to get outside your fencerows.” My dad encouraged me to attend my first county Farm Bureau meeting, and with the journey that followed, I got a lot farther outside my fencerows than I ever expected. But I have learned over and over again that what my dad said was right: We can’t solve the problems facing agriculture if we’re not willing to step outside our comfort zone.

I am proud of the thousands of Farm Bureau members who are investing their time in this important work. Last year alone, 2,415 Farm Bureau members from across the country took their messages straight to Capitol Hill and met with lawmakers to tackle the issues facing agriculture. Our state and national staff work tirelessly fighting for you, but representatives want and need to hear from the people in their home districts.

We also need to get out there and share our stories with consumers. People don’t trust what they don’t know. And they don’t trust agriculture because they don’t understand it. Most Americans have never been to a farm and didn’t even grow up near one, but they are ready to learn more about where their food comes from. We need to open up the lines of communication. We need to connect through our shared values, explain how we take care of our land and animals, and tell people about the important steps we take to ensure our food supply is safe.

And there’s one other thing consumers need to hear about: How unjust regulation is making our lives so difficult.

We know many of our members are afraid to speak openly about their battles with the EPA, Army Corps and others.

We also know the media can be our ally in these struggles – if only we speak up and let journalists tell our story in the first place.

Being an advocate for agriculture is not an easy job, but thankfully farmers are used to hard work. And more than that, we’re not afraid of a challenge.

Step outside your fencerows. We must be faithful with our opportunities today if we want to preserve our freedoms for tomorrow.

President of the American Farm Bureau Federation, Zippy Duvall raises beef cattle, hay and poultry in Greshamville, Georgia.

wfbf.com

25

Opinion

The Cows Finally Came Home A Message from Casey Langan

Y

ou’ve heard the old saying about ‘until the cows come home.’ It signifies a very long time.

This April 25 marks a milestone for me. It was 20 years ago that my grandpa retired from dairy farming and auctioned off his 50 cows. The auction was just a few weeks before my college graduation and at the time, it felt like the book on my childhood fascination with my grandpa’s cows was slammed shut.

I’ve wrote about that cold, gray day in April more than once. Life has had a way

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Rural Route

of taking away its sting as the years go by. Experience teaches us to accept the changes we face in life, but back then I didn’t get that.

Just like how cows are known for wearing a path through pastures, in the years since I’ve credited grandpa’s cows with setting me down a satisfying career path. That path has led me around the world as a farm newspaper reporter, as a legislative aide for a farmer-legislator and in my current role at Farm Bureau.

As for the cows coming home, until recently that phrase had always hit home in a very literal way for me. Grandpa passed away three years ago and grass now grows where his dairy barn once stood. For years I thought that’s how that story ends. The cows would never come home and a special corner of my heart and memory would never be refilled.

I was wrong.

To my surprise, another herd of cows from my childhood has come home.

I’m now the father of a three-yearold boy who likes all things with four wheels and four legs. Last year I retrieved boxes of my toy farm machinery from my grandmother’s basement. Inside an old Fisher Price barn were the toy cows I collected as a boy. Many still had the numbers I had scribbled on them to

correspond with grandpa’s cows.

During last December’s Wisconsin Farm Bureau Annual Meeting silent auction I found a new home for those old cows. I became the proud owner of a nifty red barn handmade by Bob Bartholomew of Waukesha County. Growing up, I would have given my left arm for such a barn and my better half questions who I really bought the barn for.

My son has thanked me more than once for giving him my old cows, but I’m the one who is happiest to be ‘farming’ with my son. I can only hope these toys will spur an interest in agriculture, animal care and a curiosity for how things grow.

It’s already clear that a love for cows spans multiple generations. They met just once, but some part of my grandpa is with my son as he farms on his bedroom floor.

I can no longer dwell on what was lost at a farm auction 20 years ago with so many blessings to count now.

Among them is that the phrase ‘until the cows come home’ has taken on a new meaning.

Langan is the WFBF’s Executive Director of Public Relations.

Wisconsin farm bureau federation

Sentiment Shifting Favorably for Commodities Guest Column by AgriVisor’s Joe Camp

G

rain prices remained depressed through the first quarter of 2016, but a changing view of the commodity sector as a whole now paints a better picture for long-term grain potential.

A recovery for crude oil has sparked the commodity sentiment shift and an improved outlook for commodity currencies has followed in a manner that should circle back to help foster a more competitive U.S. grain market.

Large domestic inventories and sluggish export demand combined to create a bearish headwind for grains last year. A record U.S. corn crop in 2014 was followed by a best-ever soybean crop the year after. Most growers abroad also enjoyed consecutive bumper crops and unfavorable currency terms took business away from the U.S. and awarded better market share to exports in production regions like South America and the Black Sea.

April | May 2016

Still left to question is whether or not the U.S. will harvest another set of large crops in 2016. El Niño is exerting some influence on the planting season on its way out and there remains some uncertainty as to the potential oncoming of a La Niña event.

While the U.S. grower can still produce a big crop this year, the outlook for active world weather patterns has it less likely that world growers will collectively achieve yields as far above trend as they were in the past three years; that means global grain surpluses can begin to shrink in a way that places less pressure on prices.

Even if supply-side sentiment becomes less bearish for the grains, better prices will rely on demand also doing its part.

Fortunately for U.S. growers, demand for their grains will improve if the dollar continues to correct back against its key currency pairings.

The dollar may continue to hold strong against major market currencies like the euro and yen as interest rates continue to decline in Europe and Japan; however, the dollar looks to be in a phase of correction relative to emerging market currencies. U.S. export competitors like Russia, Ukraine, Brazil and Argentina are seeing their currencies stabilize and they are relinquishing some of the trade advantages that they had held in the previous year and a half.

An oil market recovery would go a long way to help stabilize commodity currencies. The members of Organization of the Petroleum Producing Countries (OPEC) may be in the process of changing their stance, whereby they would resume their work to defend

price instead of market share. Low oil prices are already doing their job of slowing production and investment while spurring demand.

Other commodities, like the grains, will benefit if investors return to the space in an effort to take advantage of potential oil strength. Commodities generally move together as investors allocate funds toward not just one but rather a basket of commodities.

Restored confidence in the health of the global economy would aid the commodity market recovery. Deflationary pressures are still being battled in the Japanese economy and banks in Europe are adjusting to a low interest rate environment, but central banks in the developed countries still look to be guiding their respective economies effectively.

The center of emerging market worries at the beginning of the year, China looks to be better adjusting to slower growth than had been initially feared. Economists also have diminished concern over the state of developing countries in Eastern Europe and in Africa and the Middle East.

The combined and interdependent influences of improved macroeconomic confidence, shifting currency terms and oil price recovery are working to change traders’ attitudes about the commodity market, which in turn has the potential to prove favorable for long-term grain market prospects.

Camp is the Risk Management Specialist for AgriVisor, one of WFBF’s member benefits.

wfbf.com

27

Up the Creek A column by Ken M. Blomberg

A

‘Sky Dance’ Inspiration The drama of the sky dance is enacted nightly on hundreds of farms, the owners of which sigh for entertainment, but harbor the illusion that it is to be sought in theaters. They live on the land, but not by the land.* We never saw him enter the singing ground. Arriving undetected, a nasal peent is what gave him away. It was my sevenyear-old son Erik who heard the male woodcock first.

“Suddenly the peenting ceases and the bird flutters skyward in a series of wide spirals, emitting a musical twitter. Up and up he goes, the spirals steeper and smaller, the twittering louder and louder, until the performer is only a speck in the sky. Then, without warning, he tumbles like a crippled plane, giving voice in a soft liquid warble that a March bluebird might envy.”

The woodcock danced for us twice before it flew into a mist net set strategically in its flight path. Together, we ran to the net from our hiding place in the brush and while I slowly untangled the bird from the nylon netting, my young son watched intently. Once freed, a small aluminum band was placed on his leg, followed by

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Rural Route

measurements of its beak and outer primary feathers. As I finished the necessary banding duties, young Erik patiently waited by my side, knowing the best was yet to come. Cradled in his hands, he gently kissed the bird’s forehead, pointed it away from the net and released it into the twilight.

“To band a bird is to hold a ticket in a great lottery.”

That was more than 25 years ago.

In the early seventies, as a freshman natural resources student at the UWStevens Point, I was introduced to A Sand County Almanac. I didn’t realize it at the time, but several of Aldo Leopold’s essays would influence my life forever. Not one to read books from cover to cover, I skipped right to the October chapter and followed the author and his bird dog from “one red lantern to another.” I learned, “There are two kinds of hunting: ordinary hunting, and ruffed grouse hunting” and after reflecting on his description of a good partridge dog, I was hooked.

Turning back to the almanac’s spring passages, I zeroed in on Leopold’s description of the American woodcock’s ‘Sky Dance.’ The essay eloquently described the courtship display, and left his reader with several unanswered questions. How long does the male display during the nesting period? Is the male’s musical twitter in flight vocal or mechanical? Are the males polygamists? If there are two birds on the singing ground, is the second a female or a rival male?

Leopold’s habit of asking his readers a question, worked on me. The spell was cast.

These questions and a need to know more, led me on a lifetime love affair with the bird and the natural world it inhabited. After graduating, I started a career in water resources, freelance writing and raising bird dogs. I joined several conservation organizations, volunteered to run woodcock singingground surveys and earned my federal bird-banding license with the sole

purpose of banding woodcock.

Mist netting male woodcock on their singing grounds and capturing hens and their chicks with my German Shorthaired Pointers transported me into a world few people know, and in the process, discovered the bird’s world and mine weren’t very far apart.

In the field behind our house, males and females were courting each spring.

In early May, hens walked their chicks within a stone’s throw of our bird dog kennels. Each fall, at dusk, birds flew above the alders bordering the edge of our woods. The sky dancer was helping me “live by the land.”

One fall, a hunter in central Louisiana reported shooting a banded male mist netted near our home earlier that spring. Another was recovered in a neighbor’s garden, an apparent victim of a cat. I had banded it as a chick the previous spring a quarter mile from the garden. Several others fell to the gun in central Wisconsin. A few years ago, Erik and I banded a peenting male in the field behind the house. Seven months later, it was shot near Grand Rapids, Minnesota.

My son Erik has since earned his Ph.D. in wildlife management and is a professor of wildlife at the University of Maine. As an undergraduate, he spent his summers trapping, banding and radio-tagging woodcock with graduate student Jed Meunier, who I now know is the great-grandson of Aldo Leopold.

I also discovered quite by accident that Erik still gently kisses banded birds farewell when released.

These days Erik’s brother Karl, his wife Meghan, granddaughter Peyton, my wife ‘the boss’ and I listen for and band woodcock along the creek, a family affair inspired by Leopold’s ‘Sky Dance’ essay. *Quotes from Aldo Leopold’s A Sand County Almanac.

Blomberg is a freelance writer and a member of the Portage County Farm Bureau.

Wisconsin farm bureau federation

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29

leadership

Kelly Wilfert: On to the ‘Final Four’ and More A s an American Farm Bureau Young Farmers & Ranchers Collegiate Discussion Meet participant, Kelly Wilfert celebrated ‘March Madness’ in February.

With a goal of just reaching the ‘Final 16,’ Wilfert was successful in reaching the ‘Final Four.’

“Kelly is a very hard-working and determined individual and her participation in the Discussion Meet showed just that,” Kannel added. “Her interest in policy paired with her public speaking and problem solving skills shined throughout the contest.”

“Competing in the AFBF YF&R Collegiate Discussion Meet was truly an honor, as well as a lot of fun,” said Wilfert, a junior at UW-Madison who is studying agricultural economics and life sciences communication. “It’s a unique experience with college students from across the nation who are competing but also working towards a common goal of finding solutions to the issues that we face in agriculture.”

Friend and former Wisconsin FFA officer team member Ethan Dado from Amery also made it to the Final 16, representing Minnesota Farm Bureau.

In addition to Wilfert (third from left), three finalists participated in three rounds of discussion before making it to the Final Four round. Finalists were Tanner Beymer, University of Idaho; Kole Kelley, Adams University; and Kenna Lewis, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. Fifty competitors from 35 states participated in this year’s AFBF Collegiate Discussion Meet. Lewis placed first.

Wilfert, who served as a state FFA officer from Section 9 in 2014-15, grew up in Two Rivers on her families’ 138-year-old produce farm, growing everything from asparagus to zucchini.

Her mentors include her parents, Dave and Terri, agricultural instructor and FFA advisor Jamie Propson who pushed her to be better and Manitowoc native Norval Dvorak whose life’s work left a lasting legacy on agriculture around the world.

“When Norval and I talked about agriculture, he asked me what I wanted to do during my lifetime,” Wilfert said. “I told him that I wanted to be an agricultural attorney. At first he

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didn’t agree but he helped me figure out ways that I could make the most impact.”

In her opening statement during the Final Four, Wilfert admitted that it was tough being without her smart phone for “a nerve racking four and half hours” while taking her law school admission test.

“Technology is everywhere, every day, including in agriculture where biotechnology, precision agriculture and even smart phones are becoming the norm,” Wilfert said. “We at Farm Bureau must invite and influence the public and the legislators to understand our latest technologies so that we can continue to use them while also developing them to be even greater.”

The Collegiate Discussion Meet is designed to replicate a committee meeting where discussion and active participation are expected from each collegiate participant. Participants are judged on their ability to exchange ideas and information on an agricultural topic and find answers or solutions.

Wilfert received more exciting news while traveling from Wisconsin to Kansas City with other Farm Bureau members.

“This summer I am very excited to be serving as AFBF’s public policy legislative intern in Washington, D.C.,” Wilfert said proudly.

As the public policy legislative intern, Wilfert will assist lobbyists with a wide-range of government policies that impact farm and ranch families through research and summarizing information from briefings or meetings.

“After (I graduate) I hope to attend law school,” Wilfert said. “Long-term, I hope to work as an attorney, lobbyist or politician with a special focus on advocating for farmers and agriculture.”

To view the American Farm Bureau Young Farmers & Ranchers Collegiate Discussion Meet, visit fbvideos.org.

Wisconsin farm bureau federation

Be a part of the 2017 Institute Class

Focus on Your Farm While We Focus on Your Energy In 2015, Focus on Energy provided more than $1 million in energy efficiency incentives to nearly 600 Wisconsin agriculture customers.

Mission: To develop strong and effective rural leaders.

Developing strong and effective agricultural leaders is absolutely necessary for our industry’s continued success in an ever-changing world. The Wisconsin Farm Bureau Foundation Leadership Institute program will provide personal growth and leadership training to local Farm Bureau leaders who have the potential to make a positive impact on their communities.

Start out 2016 with additional incentives from Focus on Energy. Call now to speak with an Energy Advisor and see how you can start saving energy and money today!

888.947.7828 • focusonenergy.com ©2016 Wisconsin Focus on Energy

We’re Looking For: • Voting Farm Bureau members 18 years old and older • Experienced county Farm Bureau leaders • Inexperienced county Farm Bureau leaders with potential for future leadership • Applicants from the entire state • Applicants who produce different commodities or represent different agribusinesses • Applicants from counties with low Farm Bureau involvement and participation

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leadership

Miss America Launches Farm Bureau’s First Peas to the Table Contest M

iss America 2016 Betty Cantrell introduced Farm Bureau’s First Peas to the Table Contest. This national competition for schools encourages children in kindergarten through fifth grade to plant, raise and harvest peas this spring.

Cantrell announced the contest at the American Farm Bureau Federation’s Young Farmers & Ranchers Leadership Conference in Kansas City, Missouri.

“It was an honor to have Miss America 2016 Betty Cantrell join us in launching the First Peas to the Table Contest,” said Julie Tesch, executive director of the American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture. “We know from experience that getting your hands dirty is the best way for children to learn!

Through this contest, we aim to provide fun, hands-on learning opportunities for students across the country.”

The contest highlights the Foundation’s latest Book of the Year, First Peas to the Table, by Susan Grigsby. The Foundation created the contest to help students understand the importance of healthy foods and agriculture in their everyday lives, and to increase their understanding of how plants grow.

The student team that grows the greatest amount of peas (measured in cups) using no more than 20 pea seeds during the official contest period will be declared the winner and receive the grand prize – a visit from Cantrell. Peas may be grown in any manner including in a hot house, hoop house, indoor pot, planter or outside garden.

The contest runs through May 16. An official entry form, guidelines and rules are available at www.agfoundation.org/ projects/first-peas-contest-2016.

In conjunction with the contest, Tesch encourages educators to invite local farmers to speak in their classrooms about food production and the importance of agriculture.

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Young Farmers and Ranchers Leadership Conference Y

oung Farmer and Agriculturist members travelled to Kansas City, Missouri in February to attend the American Farm Bureau Young Farmers & Ranchers Leadership Conference.

The conference brings together members to learn, share and grow to build a stronger Farm Bureau. Members networked with peers, industry leaders and developed leadership skills through workshops and educational tours.

Members attending from Wisconsin were (L to R) Derek Orth, WFBF YFA State Chair, Charisse Orth (holding daughter Zeeva), Kelly Wilfert, Collegiate Discussion Meet contestant, Danielle and Tim Clark, members of the American Farm Bureau YF&R Committee and Brian Preder, District 7 YFA Representative.

Wisconsin farm bureau federation

We Want You! Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation holds three contests for Young Farmer and Agriculturist (YFA) members. Farm Bureau members between the ages of 18 and 35 are eligible for the Discussion Meet, Excellence in Agriculture Award and Achievement Award.

Discu

ward A t emen v e i Ach

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ts on icipan ability, t r a p s other rship judge ward lture, leade ureau and e A t n me mB icu hav chieve in Far in agr must The A volvement rticipation pplicants on farm a n .A m their i ment and p anizations income fro ears. g e r r ey i v invol d ser vice o rity of the e past thre o h n j t a a r civic erived a m uction fo d prod

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The Di sc chance ussion Meet g to dem i onstrat ves young me agricul mbers e their tural-r a spea ela judged on thei ted topics. Co king skills on r n discuss problem testant s ti of WFB mely topics w solving skills are ith thei as they F ’s nin r e compe tition t districts will colleagues. E ac his fall h old a d . istrict m h eet

The Excellence in Agriculture Award judges participants on their involvement in agriculture, leadersh ip ability, involvement and participation in Farm Bureau and other civic and service organizations .

Applicants must have derived a majority of their income from a non-production agribusiness enterpr ise for the past three years .

April | May 2016

Meet

To learn more about each contest including applications and awards, visit bit.ly/WIYFAContests or contact your district YFA representative.

The YFA Program is funded by

:

for Farming’s Future (WFB Foundation)

wfbf.com

33

Farm Bureau Hosts 44th FFA Farm Forum N

early 200 high school juniors from across Wisconsin attended the Wisconsin Farm Bureau’s FFA Farm Forum in Wisconsin Rapids, February 19-20.

“The Wisconsin Farm Bureau takes pride in hosting this special event with the FFA to help grow the next crop of agricultural leaders,” said Jim Holte, Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation President.

During the two-day event at Hotel Mead in Wisconsin Rapids, FFA members attended workshops on post-high school agricultural opportunities, social media, agricultural advocacy and leadership.

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Joining Holte as keynote speakers at the event were Jonathan Eckelberg, digital content specialist at the Wisconsin Department of Tourism and Ethan Giebel, director of education at Cooperative Network.

The Wisconsin Farm Bureau Foundation sponsors the FFA Farm Forum in cooperation with the Wisconsin Association of FFA. This year’s FFA Farm Forum marks the 44th year the Farm Bureau family of affiliates has sponsored the event for Wisconsin youth.

The FFA Farm Forum is sponsored by

:

for Farming’s Future (WFB Foundation)

Wisconsin farm bureau federation

April | May 2016

wfbf.com

35

Farm Bureau Membership Doesn’t Cost... ...It Pays Wisconsin Farm Bureau offers benefits and services to its members, covering a range of options that respond to the needs of farmers, families and businesses in Wisconsin.

Supplies & Products

Auto

General Motors - Most 2015 and 2016 Chevrolet, Buick, and GMC (except Corvette) models are eligible for the $500 Bonus Cash program. To qualify for the offer, individuals must be a Wisconsin Farm Bureau member for at least 30 days prior to the date of delivery of the vehicle. Members must present their Farm Bureau Bonus Cash Certificate to the dealer to take advantage of the Bonus Cash program. Print your Bonus Cash certificate at www.fbadvantage. com/Deals/gm. Call 800.261.3276 for questions on eligibility guidelines.

Contact dealership for full details.

Travel AAA - Members can save up to 20% on AAA membership and the enrollment fee to join AAA is waived. Farm Bureau members who already belong to AAA can receive the discount by calling before their next renewal. To enroll or to add the benefit to your existing account, call 877.731.3315 and give them the group code ‘WI07.’

AVIS Car Rental Discount Program - Members can save 5%-25% on Avis’ daily and weekly rates. To receive these discounted rates, all you need to do is use the Avis Worldwide Discount number: A298849. To rent a car and enjoy benefits visit Avis.com or call Avis at 1.800.331.1212.

Choice Hotels International, Inc. - Members save an average of 20% at participating Choice Brand Hotels. Call 800.258.2847 to make the required advance reservation or book online at choicehotels.com. Make sure to select ‘special rate/CORPID.’ Request WFBF member rate using ID# 00209870.

Wyndham Hotel Group - Members save 20% off the best available rate at more than 5,000 participating locations throughout North America. Mention Farm Bureau ID# 8000004288 when making your reservations. Call 877.670.7088.

Financial AgriPlan Medical Reimbursement Program - The AgriPlanNOW! program is based on Section 105 of the IRS code and can allow farmers and other selfemployed individuals to deduct 100 percent of their family’s medical expenses through their farm or business. To learn more about AgriPlan and/or sign up, go to www.tasconline.com or call 888.595.2261.

Farm Bureau Bank - Take advantage of Farm Bureau Bank’s FDIC-insured checking and savings accounts, money market accounts, certificates of deposit, credit cards and vehicle and home loans. Call 800.492.FARM (3276), or check online at www.farmbureaubank.com.

Insurance

Rural Mutual Insurance Company - Offering a full line of insurance and financial products for your personal, farm and business needs exclusively for Wisconsin Farm Bureau members. Our rural Wisconsin heritage assures that you’ll find in us the strong values you expect and deserve. Visit us on the web at www.ruralins.com to find your nearest Rural Mutual agent.

Farm Bureau Financial Services is a dynamic multi-state insurance and investment organization serving individuals and families in rural, suburban and metropolitan areas. You can get more information about the financial services from your local Rural Insurance agent. Learn more about Farm Bureau Financial Services at www.fbfs.com.

Protection $500 Reward Protection Program - Farm Bureau pays a $500 reward to people providing information leading to the arrest and conviction of individuals for arson, theft or criminal damage to a member’s property that is posted with a Farm Bureau reward sign or sticker.

Accidental Death Policy - Members receive $1,500 in accidental death insurance for themselves and their spouse, and $500 for minors. The policy increases in value for consecutive years of membership up to $3,500.

Case IH - Eligible Farm Bureau members will receive an incentive discount ($300 to $500) when purchasing qualifying Case IH equipment from participating dealers. The discount is stackable, meaning it can be used with other discounts, promotions, rebates or offers that may be provided by Case IH or a Case IH dealership. A current Farm Bureau membership verification certificate must be presented to the Case IH dealer in advance of product delivery to receive the incentive discount. Go to www.fbverify.com/case to check out eligible models and print your certificate.

Caterpillar - Members qualify for a variety of discounts on new purchases.

Members must provide a valid Member Verification Certificate to the Cat dealer at the time of quote to receive the discount. Visit www.fbadvantage. com/cat to print your certificate and for details on models and discounts. The discount can be combined with any current retail discounts, promotions, rebates or offers available through Caterpillar or its dealers with the exception of other membership purchase incentives (such as the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association discount).

FS-GROWMARK Patronage - Members who are patrons of their local FS cooperative are eligible to receive patronage dividends when patronage is paid.

Grainger Industrial Supply - Grainger Industrial Supply is the nation’s leading maintenance, repair and operational supplies distributor. Receive at least a 10% discount on all Grainger catalog items. For a free catalog call 608.221.3861.

When ordering use the Farm Bureau account #855922019.

Office Depot - Save up to 80% on Office Depot Preferred Products along with reduced prices on ink, paper, office supplies, toner, stamps/daters, pens, pads, furniture and much more. Members get free next day delivery with free shipping on orders over $50 and terrific copy and print pricing. Visit wfbf.com/ officedepot.

Polaris - Farm Bureau members will receive a manufacturer’s incentive discount of $200-$300 depending on the vehicle acquired. Individuals must be members for at least 30 days to qualify. Visit fbadvantage.com/polaris to print your certificate.

Communication AgriVisor - Wisconsin Farm Bureau members can receive a 35% discount on daily grain, livestock and feed input marketing advice, as well as current market quotes and updates. Members go to www.agrivisor.com and click on E-Visor to sign up or call 800.676.5799 to learn more.

The Country Today - The Country Today will give a discounted rate and donate $5 to the Ag in the Classroom Program with every new subscription or renewal purchased by a Farm Bureau member. Write ‘Farm Bureau member’ on your renewal or mention it when calling 800.236.4004.

Health ScriptSave® - ScriptSave® is a prescription drug savings card available to you at NO COST as an added feature of your membership. Call 800.700.3957 or go to scriptsave.com and login with group number 703A.

On the web

View additional WFBF member benefits and more details on our website at www.wfbf.com/benefits-membership.

*WFBF member benefits may be changed or discontinued at anytime without notice.*

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Wisconsin farm bureau federation

Farming is a business of uncertainty, but here’s something you can count on.

Chevrolet presents this exclusive $500 private offer 1 toward the purchase or lease of an all-new Chevy Silverado — the 2014 North American Truck of the Year. From the family of the most dependable, longest-lasting 2 full-size pickup in America, rest assured your Silverado will keep you working without skipping a beat.

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CEDARBURG NEWMAN CHEVROLET 262-377-3020 www.north2newman.com

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SALEM HARTNELL CHEVROLET 262-843-2361 www.hartnellchevy.com

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SAUKVILLE ERIC VON SCHLEDORN CHEVROLET BUICK CADILLAC 262-284-8000 www.thegmdealer.com

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VIROQUA SLEEPY HOLLOW CHEVROLET BUICK GMC 608-637-8300 www.sleepyhollowchevrolet.com WAUPACA NEUVILLE MOTORS INC. 800-236-4080 www.neuvillemotors.com WAUPUN HOMAN CHEVROLET BUICK 920-324-3585 www.homangm.com

1 Offer available through 4/1/17. Available on qualified 2015 and 2016 Chevrolet vehicles. This offer is not available with some other offers. Only customers who have been active members of an eligible Farm Bureau for a minimum of 30 days will be eligible to receive a certificate. Customers can obtain certificates at www.fbverify.com/gm. Farm Bureau and the FB logo are registered service marks of the American Farm Bureau Federation and are used herein under license by General Motors. 2 Dependability based on longevity: 1987–April 2013 full-size pickup registrations.

April | May 2016

wfbf.com

37

Ag in the classroom

Teach Others About Wisconsin Agriculture Agriculture provides $88.3 billion to Wisconsin’s economy every year! See what makes Wisconsin’s agricultural economy so diverse.

It’s Interactive!

Make this brochure come to life with Aurasma!

1. Download the Aurasma app (it’s free!)

2. Open the app and select the arrow on the bottom (middle) which brings you to the menu.

3. Select the magnifying glass to search.

4. Search “WIAITC”.

5. Tap WIAITC Public Auras and select “follow”.

6. W ith the Aurasma app open, place your device over the photo with an Aurasma symbol next to it and learn even more about Wisconsin agriculture!

It’s just like using a QR code but with photos and video!

Download the brochure at wisagclassroom.org/students/ wisconsin-ag-facts or use the online resource order form to get copies today at wisagclassroom.org/teachersinformation/order-forms/ 38

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Wisconsin farm bureau federation

Volunteer Spotlight Shining a light on some of Ag in the Classroom’s Shining Stars

We asked Ag in the Classroom volunteers to answer the question, “What did you do to promote this year’s essay contest?”

Kay Gilbertson Dunn County I collaborated with others in the county to get the information into the schools.

Dunn County Farm Bureau members delivered complimentary copies of Farm Bureau’s book of the year, Sugarbush Spring, to each of the elementary schools.

The schools also received an invitation to participate in the essay contest. The teaching staff wanted to learn more about harvesting maple syrup, so I called a retired farmer who brought maple syrup harvesting tools into the classroom. The students and staff were excited to sample maple syrup and to listen to this positive message about Wisconsin agriculture.

Tonra Degner Juneau County Every October, I send every fourth and fifth grade teacher in Juneau County a letter to explain the contest and offer help. We also purchase Farm Bureau’s book of the year and donate a copy to each school. I coordinate volunteer readers and arrange the times for them to share the story with the fourth and fifth grade students in each of the schools. I follow up with e-mail or I try to schedule time to talk with each of the teachers.

Lauren McCann Wood County It has been my goal this year to personally meet at least one teacher from each school to increase our outreach and participation in the contest. I have a job that allows me to be flexible in the afternoons so it gives me the opportunity to do this.

Morton Represents Farm Bureau on 4-H Foundation A

rch Morton Jr., a Rock County grain farmer, will represent the Wisconsin Farm Bureau on the Wisconsin 4-H Foundation’s Board of Directors.

Morton was appointed to serve a three-year term on the 17-member board that oversees governance and resource development of the 4-H Foundation.

Nearly 150,000 youth from Wisconsin’s 72 counties participate in 4-H. Wisconsin was one of the first states to offer 4-H 102 years ago. The Foundation was created in the 1950s to financially assist the youth development program. Today the Foundation’s signature event is the Governor’s Blue Ribbon Meat Products Auction at the Wisconsin State Fair. The Foundation receives the proceeds from an auction of the grand and reserve champion meat products exhibited at the fair. This year’s event is August 9.

April | May 2016

Morton serves on the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation’s Board of Directors. He represents District 2 (Columbia, Dane, Dodge, Green, Rock and Sauk counties). Morton succeeds Dave Daniels of Union Grove as WFBF’s representative on the 4-H Foundation board.

Morton serves on the La Prairie Town Board in Rock County. He is a former president of the Rock County Farm Bureau, Clinton FFA Alumni and Rock County Dairy Promotion Council. He grows 240 acres of corn, soybeans, winter wheat and alfalfa.

For more information on the Wisconsin 4-H Foundation, visit www.wis4hfoundation.org.

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Ag in the classroom

Teacher Mini Grants Promote Agriculture Literacy In October, more than $1,400 in agriculture literacy grants were given to teachers across Wisconsin. Here is an update on two of the projects:

S

T

tacey Kunde used funds to purchase agriculture books for her agriculture classroom at Brillion High School.

How did the project help?

Kunde is able to use excerpts from the books to reinforce ideas and encourage students to use the books once we are through in class.

She has had many students interested in the survival books and the Temple Grandin books. Having the opportunity to purchase these literary items has increased student's exposure to agricultural careers and knowledge.

Recently, Kunde had a student reading the book Animal's Make Us Human by Temple Grandin say that he liked reading her book because he is autistic too. He could relate to the things she was saying in the book. Kunde directed him to Grandin’s other works, to which he responded he would be interested in reading those once he is done.

“Thank you for this opportunity to expand learning experiences for my students,” Kunde said.

eachers at LaGrange Elementary School in Tomah put their mini-grant funds to good use in teaching students about maple syrup. The funds were used to purchase books about maple syrup and the maple syrup making process.

Students then worked with high school students in an outdoor learning classroom where they helped tap trees, collect sap and see how sap is boiled down to make maple syrup.

Would you like to support agriculture literacy projects like these?

Donate $100 now to the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Foundation! Simply click on the donate button at wfbfoundation.com and choose $100 mini-grants or send in your check to the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Foundation at PO Box 5550, Madison, WI 53705.

The first 20 donors will receive a pack of Betty Engel notecards!

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Wisconsin farm bureau federation

Wedig Named Ag in the Classroom Intern A lison Wedig of Darlington is the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation’s Ag in the Classroom intern.

“Watching students light up as they began to understand the importance of agriculture has made a lasting impact on me and encouraged me to find new ways to educate others about agriculture. Being the new Ag in the Classroom intern will let me provide resources to Wisconsin students and teachers and encourage them to learn about where their food comes from,” said Wedig, who began her duties on February 15 with Wisconsin’s Ag in the Classroom program.

Wedig, 20, is a sophomore majoring in life sciences communications at UW-Madison with hopes to work in agricultural public relations or education.

“Alison’s enthusiasm and background in agriculture education makes her a great choice to be our Ag in the Classroom intern,” said Bob Leege, Wisconsin Farm Bureau’s Executive Director of Member Relations.

Throughout the next few months Wedig will assist in updating and distributing educational resources and executing the fourth and fifth grade essay contest.

Wedig’s parents, Mike and Joni, own a landscape business.

She is a 2013 graduate of Darlington High School. Following graduation she served as Wisconsin FFA Vice President until being named President in 2014. Wedig is a collegiate Farm Bureau member where she is active on their Ag in the Classroom committee, FFA Alumni member and also is involved in the National Agri-Marketing Association. She serves on the UW-Madison College of Agricultural and Life Sciences Dean’s Advisory Board and previously on the National FFA Nominating Committee.

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April | May 2016

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Farm Bureau Recipes courtesy of Grandma Mary’s Cafe

Jill’s Bars Ingredients:

Tater Tot Casserole Ingredients:

3 pounds tater tots 2 pounds hamburger 2 small cans cream of mushroom soup Milk

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. 2. Brown the hamburger and chop it up.

3. Combine 2 cans of soup with 1 can of milk. Stir.

4. Add chopped hamburger and tots. Mix. 5. Put into a casserole pan and bake at 350°F for 1 hour or until hot in the center and browned on top.

Crust: 1 cup shortening 2 cups brown sugar 2 eggs 2 t vanilla 1 t salt 1 t baking soda 21/2 cups flour 3 cups oatmeal

Chocolate Mixture: 2 T butter 1 can condensed milk 6 oz. chocolate chips

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. 2. M ix ingredients for crust a spread in bottom of 15x10 pan saving about 1/4 to sprinkle on top.

3. Melt ingredients for chocolate mixture.

4. P our chocolate mixture over crust and sprinkle remaining crumb mixture on top.

5. B ake at 350°F for 15-20 minutes until lightly browned.

About Grandma Mary’s Café

Located in Iowa County, Grandma Mary’s Café has been catering to the Wisconsin Farm Bureau’s Madison office for years. Known for her downhome cooking and delicious desserts, ‘Grandma Mary’ is a favorite visitor for many of the Farm Bureau employees because of her food and outstanding service. If you would like to visit and taste for yourself, the café is located at 175 U.S. Highway 14, Arena. You can visit the website for a full menu at www.grandmamaryscafe.com.

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Wisconsin farm bureau federation

Barron County

Hungry Hollow Steam Engine Club 1509 19th Avenue, Rice Lake June 4, 6 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Dunn County

Val-O-Mo Farm N971 County Road D, Elmwood June 4, 7 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Kenosha County

Connect with others and enjoy a great meal at these Farm Bureau events.

Roger Rebout & Sons Farms 5606 W. Mineral Point Road, Janesville June 11, 6:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Sauk County

Kinnamon Ridge Dairy Farm S3175 White Road, Reedsburg June 11, 7 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Sawyer County

Crane Dairy LLC 29320 31st Street, Burlington June 18, 6:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

Sawyer County Fairgrounds 2.5 miles east of Hayward on Highway B June 18, 6:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Pierce County

Shawano County

Ozaukee County

Walworth County

Racine County

Washington County

Huppert Family Farm W8191 U.S. Highway 10, Ellsworth June 18, 8 a.m. to Noon

Roden Echo Valley, LLC 5545 County Road Y, West Bend June 25, 7 a.m. to 11 a.m.

For more breakfasts visit www.dairydaysofsummer.com

Rock County

Schaal Dairy Farm 1800 McKee Road, Burlington June 25, 7 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Kevin and Shawn Bonnin Farm W3843 E Slab City Road, Bonduel June 26, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Walworth County Fairgrounds, 411 E Court Street, Elkhorn June 18, 6 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

Level Acres Dairy, 6931 County Road S, Hartford June 11, 6:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

photo by briana froseth

All premises registered prior to January 1, 2016 are due for renewal by July 31, 2016.

Go to www.wiid.org or call 888.808.1910 to renew.

April | May 2016

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Marianne Wileman, Edgerton

Matt Graff, Waupun

Lisa Leege, Wisconsin Dells

Miranda Leis, Cashton

Send us YOUR Photos Wisconsin Farm Bureau members live and work with beautiful landscapes and livestock. On this page we highlight those sights and special moments. Please email your best photos (high resolution jpgs, 4x6 inches at 300 dpi) to Lsiekmann@wfbf.com.

Due to the high volume of photos we receive, we are unable to publish every photo.

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Jacquelyn Rosa, Medford

Wisconsin farm bureau federation

County Kernels John Deere Tour – District 4 YFA

Brag About Ag – UW-Platteville

On February 29, more than 50 YFA members from District 4 toured the John Deere Harvester Works plant in Moline, IL where combines are manufactured.

More than 50 members, students and guests attended Brag About Ag hosted by Collegiate Farm Bureau at UWPlatteville on March 10 at Pioneer Farm. The event featured four speakers about agriculture then and now. The event included past Alice in Dairyland, Angela Udelhoven, State Senator Howard Marklein, young farmers TJ and Katie Roth and tours of the campus dairy and swine facilities.

Farmer’s Appreciation Lunch – Marquette County

Antibiotics Forum – UW-Madison

Nearly 20 people attended the Farmer’s Appreciation Luncheon held March 15 at the Harrisville Fire Station. The event was held in honor of National Ag Day. WFBF Senior Director of Governmental Relations Rob Richard provided a legislative update, answered questions and discussed local ag issues.

Book Donation – Iowa County

April | May 2016

On March 1, the Collegiate Farm Bureau at UW-Madison hosted a panel to discuss antibiotic usage in the food system.

The panel included Shelly Mayer, Melissa Haag, Sarah Slaby and Mark Cook and was moderated by Bryant Gill. The discussion, which was free to the public and open to students, drew 82 people.

The Iowa County Young Farmer and Agriculturist program donated 300 books to the Upland Hills birthing unit to give as gifts to families with newborn babies. The boxes of books were delivered in early November. Funds raised at the county annual meeting’s silent auction were used to purchase the books. The books were well received and much appreciated by the staff of Upland Hills.

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Rural mutual

Spring Cleaning? Don’t Forget Youth Farm Safety A s the temperature rises, so does activity on the farm. Farmers will be working longer hours, more machinery will be used and children will inevitably be spending more of their time exploring the work area.

Springtime offers farmers a great opportunity to take a step back and review their established safety guidelines and procedures to make sure everyone, especially children, stay safe on the farm.

To assist farmers in this endeavor, Rural Mutual developed a farm safety database, found at www.ruralins.com/farmsafety.

The database is filled with videos, articles, infographics and other great resources for farmers to use and share to keep their family members and visitors safe.

The resources are broken down by category, including: ATV Safety ATV safety articles include: • I s your child ready to operate an ATV for farm use?

• Farm work with an ATV •A TV safety tips for your child • ATV safety

Animal Handling Animal handling articles include: • Livestock safety • Practicing animal safety with your children • Staying safe while milking Farm Buildings and Shops Farm buildings and shops articles include: • Five ways to manage safe farm buildings • 20 tips for safer farming • Storage building safety Safe Play Areas Safe play areas articles include: • Avoid these mishaps when building a play area • 11 ways to create a safe play area on the farm This list is a sample of the many farm safety resources available. With the help of the National Farm Medicine Center, Rural Mutual is committed to making sure every farm in Wisconsin has the resources it needs to protect the next generation of farmers.

Now is the perfect time to review the safety practices on your farm. If you have any questions or want some guidance, contact your local Rural Mutual agent.

Rural Mutual Recognizes Top Agents O

n February 19, Rural Mutual Insurance Company recognized their 2015 top-producing agents at their annual Honors and Awards banquet held at the Marriott in Middleton.

Mike Immel (Fond du Lac, Big Lakes District) was named Rural Mutual’s Agent of the Year. Mike also was recognized as the Company Top Performer in Commercial Lines and Life Insurance, as well as being a member of the Life Million Dollar Round Table.

Mike Immel

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Brian Deffner

Rookie of the Year honors went to Brian Deffner (Wausau, Lake and Woods District).

The District of the Year honors went to the Capitol District, managed by Kurt Johnson.

Chuck McDaniel (Big Lakes District) was the company Top Performer in Personal Lines.

Daryl Pulsfus (Capitol District) was the Company Top Performer in Farm Lines.

Kurt Johnson

Chuck McDaniel

Daryl Pulsfus Wisconsin farm bureau federation

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Wisconsin farm bureau federation