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PROMOTION AND EDUCATION
WFBF's Promotion and Education Program
What is the WFBF Promotion and Education Program?
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The WFBF Promotion and Education Program is designed to develop, implement and promote projects and programs that build awareness and understanding of agriculture and provide leadership development for the agricultural community.
Program Focus Areas
Youth Education Leadership Development Consumer Outreach Agriculture Outreach Legislative Outreach
Who leads the state program?
The WFBF Promotion and Education Program is led by a nineperson committee that serves as an advisory committee to review, develop and recommend programs. One representative from each of the nine WFBF districts is appointed by the board to serve on the committee. Those serving on the state committee are:
District 1 – Kathy Muth
District 2 – Andrea Brossard
District 3 – Krista Klinkner
District 4 – Brenda Dowiasch
District 5 – Lynn Leahy (Committee Chair)
District 6 – Kathy Duescher
District 8 – Katie Zoromski
District 9 – Steven Mueller
Promotion and Education versus Ag in the Classroom: What is the difference, and do they work together?
The Wisconsin Ag in the Classroom program provides agricultural information through teaching resources and lesson plans to help preK-12 students develop an understanding of how their food is grown and raised. The Promotion and Education program focuses on education and promotion opportunities outside of the classroom. However, the Promotion and Education program often uses Ag in the Classroom materials and resources in their outreach. Additionally, Promotion and Education Committee members serve as the Ag in the Classroom essay contest district judges and assist with judging other contests throughout the year. The Promotion and Education Committee also helps promote Ag in the Classroom events and training opportunities.
Examples of Promotion and Education Activities
State Activities
Leadership Boot Camp Ag LEAD Summit Workshops at WFBF conferences Promotion and Education ‘Playbook’
District Activities
Youth Ag Summit Food Influencer Dinner Beef, dairy and pork month promotions Farm and industry tours
County Promotion and Education Programs
County Farm Bureau Promotion and Education committees are an integral part of county Farm Bureau programs. County Farm Bureau volunteers focus their energy and skills on promoting positive messages about agriculture to youth, consumers and media. If your county Farm Bureau doesn’t have a Promotion and Education committee, consider establishing one to boost education and outreach activities.
Promotion and Education 'Playbook'
The WFBF Promotion and Education Committee created this resource by compiling events, programs and activities that happen throughout the state on a local level. The ‘Playbook’ is a one-stop resource with ideas for planning county activities and events. Throughout the ‘Playbook,’ you will find activities and events for all ages, time frames and budgets. The ‘Playbook’ is available to view online at wfbf.com/ programs/promotion-and-education/playbook.
LEADERSHIP
Mack Competes in Collegiate Discussion Meet
Jared Mack, a student from UW-River Falls competed in the American Farm Bureau Young Farmers & Ranchers Virtual Collegiate Discussion Meet held in conjunction with the FUSION Conference.
Finalists included: Sarah Byrd, Mississippi; Marisa Phelps, Tennessee; and the Collegiate Discussion Meet
winner Grace Hasler from Indiana.
Mack is a junior at UW-River Falls majoring in agriculture education and minoring in agribusiness. He spent last year serving the Wisconsin Association of FFA as a state officer. "It was a great privilege to represent the Wisconsin Farm Bureau in the Collegiate Discussion Meet,” Mack said. “The Fusion Conference was a tremendous experience to work with other Collegiate Farm Bureau members from across the nation to discuss ideas about agriculture, leadership and opportunities that Farm Bureau has to offer!"
The Collegiate Discussion Meet, conducted using web conferencing this year, 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 related to it.
Mack qualified for the national competition upon winning the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Collegiate Discussion Meet. All competitors received a $150 scholarship courtesy of CHS Foundation, in recognition of their efforts and making it to the national level.
The YF&R program includes men and women between the ages of 18 and 35. The program’s goals are to help younger Farm Bureau members learn more about agriculture, network with other farmers and realize their full potential as leaders in agriculture and Farm Bureau.
About Collegiate Farm Bureau
WFBF has three established Collegiate Farm Bureau chapters at UW-Madison, UW-Platteville and UW-River Falls. Each chapter is a student-led organization where members shape their chapter and develop their own program of work.
The purpose of Collegiate Farm Bureau is to:
• Introduce students to Farm Bureau. • Promote leadership opportunities while participating in district, state and national events. • Provide networking opportunities with fellow students, Farm Bureau members and leaders at the county, state and national levels. • Engage students in agriculture advocacy efforts within the communities they live.
Learn more about each Collegiate Farm Bureau chapter by following the chapters on Facebook.
Farm Bureau®
Collegiate Chapter
@CollegiateFarm BureauMadison
Farm Bureau®
Collegiate Chapter
@Collegiate Farm Bureau at UW-Platteville
Farm Bureau®
Collegiate Chapter
@UwRiverFallsCollegiate FarmBureau
