Rural Route April | May 2022

Rural Route WISCONSIN FARM BUREAU FEDERATION®'S

APRIL| MAY 2022 • VOL. 28 NO. 2 | WFBF.COM

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36 WIFarmBureau

SESSION WRAPS UP

Review WFBF’s successes as the legislative session wraps up.

DISCOVERY FARMS

Learn about minimizing soil and nutrient loss for water quality.

LIBERTYLAND FARMS

Dairy farm uses technology and environmental considerations to be successful.

IGNITE CONFERENCE

Members are ignited by recent conference.

FFA FARM FORUM

More than 140 students attend 49th annual event.

YF&R CONFERENCE

YFA members represented WFBF in Louisville.

VOICES

Columns from Krentz, Duvall, Setzer and Blomberg.

FARM BUREAU FLAVOR

Gleason Cattle Company Meats shares some favorite recipes.

PICTURE THIS

Members share their favorite chore helpers.

AG IN THE CLASSROOM

Grants awarded to fund ag literacy grants.

RURAL MUTUAL

Rural Mutual recognizes top agents.

COVER PHOTO BY RACHEL GERBITZ

ONLINE LIBRARY

Read our previous issues at wfbf.com/read.

wfbf.com

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Rural Route WISCONSIN FARM BUREAU FEDERATION’S

EDITOR’S NOTE

W

hat’s a Wisconsin spring without some winter resistance? It’s an exciting time of year when things start showing signs of green and warmth but that doesn’t mean Mother Nature isn’t going to throw us some unexpected snow and rain. Rather than spring, some call this mud season.

This issue always has a lot of things packed in it. That makes sense because there is a lot going on. Not only within Farm Bureau but as the season changes, the speed of life also seems to pick up.

Someone told me the other day to ‘take care’. As I walked away, I started thinking about how there are so many things to ‘take care’ of and I don’t even know where to start most days.

As farmers and dedicated volunteers, I’m sure you feel the same, at least some of the time.

As farmers you care for the land, especially this time of the year. There is a lot to monitor, watch, debate and decide.

There are long hours as those seeds go into the ground. You’re protective of this resource because you know it has to last for generations to come.

You care for animals. Whether it’s a farm dog, a flock of hens, hundreds of Holsteins, a small herd of Angus or a donkey, you have someone needing attention at all times. No matter the time of year or weather situation these animals need your care.

Plus, your family needs you. Caring for them is not only in providing for them financially but showing up for them. Giving them time when it’s the hardest thing to come by is a decision you have to make every day. Taking care of family comes in a lot of forms and can be demanding at different parts of life, especially at the beginning and ending stages.

You care about the future of agriculture and the organizations you are a part of. If you didn’t, you wouldn’t give your little extra time to them. You care for your communities by offering what you can.

With all this caring, we can sometimes forget about the most important things to care for: ourselves. Many times, it’s easy to forget to care about yourself. Don’t forget about that one. It’s important and likely what the person meant by saying, ‘take care’.

In this issue you’ll find so many ways our members are caring.

On page 14, you’ll read about the Gries family and how they care about their farm’s succession into the next generation. On pages 10-12, you’ll learn about how much Discovery Farms cares about research to help farmers continue to be even better stewards of the land.

Throughout the magazine you’ll find Farm Bureau members who care about serving on committees, boards and those who took us up on opportunities to build their leadership skills.

Thank you for all you do.

Take care, Amy Eckelberg Rural Route Editor Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation

Editor Amy Eckelberg - 608.828.5706 Designer Lynn Siekmann - 608.828.5707 Contributors Rachel Gerbitz - 608.828.5709 Cassie Sonnentag - 608.828.5711 Marian Viney - 608.828.5721 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) wfbf.com info@wfbf.com WFBF Board of Directors Kevin Krentz, Berlin (President) Dave Daniels, Union Grove (Vice President) Arch Morton Jr., Janesville Robert Nigh, Viroqua Joe Bragger, Independence Rosie Lisowe, Chilton Brian Preder, Weyauwega Ryan Klussendorf, Medford Peter Kimball, Baldwin Brenda Dowiasch, Augusta (Promotion and Education Committee Chair) Bob Nash, Saukville (YFA Committee Chair) Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation’s Rural Route (ISSN 1082-1368) (USPS 39940), 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 Amy Eckelberg at 608.828.5706 or aeckelberg@wfbf.com.

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WISCONSIN FARM BUREAU FEDERATION

NEWS

Schaefer Hired as Ag in the Classroom Coordinator B

eth Schaefer has been named the Wisconsin Farm Bureau’s Agriculture in the Classroom Coordinator.

“Beth’s experience working directly with education and promotion programs, engaging volunteers and collaborating with stakeholders will serve her well as she leads Wisconsin’s Ag in the Classroom program,” said Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation’s Senior Director of Member Relations Wendy Kannel.

Schaefer holds an undergraduate degree from UW-Madison in agriculture education and a Master of Sciences Degree in agriculture and biology education from UW-River Falls.

APRIL | MAY 2022

Schaefer most recently served as a regional program manager for the Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin. Prior to that, she was an agriculture teacher and FFA Advisor in Merrill and Oconto Falls. Beth is a graduate of the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Leadership Institute, American Farm Bureau Communications Bootcamp and served on the WFBF Young Farmer and Agriculturist Committee.

“K-12 students are our future farmers, consumers and agriculture stakeholders. Ag in the Classroom provides a platform to equip teachers and volunteers with accurate, meaningful lessons and resources to engage students in the amazing opportunities available to them in agriculture whether they are seeking a job or simply understanding how food, fiber and fuel are produced,” Schaefer said. “I am excited to guide Wisconsin Ag in the Classroom and continue building our reputation as a trustworthy source for educators seeking unique and engaging lessons in agriculture.”

Schaefer and her husband, Matt, live near Brandon and have four children. She began her duties on March 21.

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NEWS

Entrepreneurs Wanted: Apply by April 29 for Farm Bureau Ag Innovation Challenge SUBMITTED PHOTO

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he American Farm Bureau Federation, in partnership with Farm Credit, is seeking entrepreneurs to apply online for the 2023 Farm Bureau Ag Innovation Challenge. Now in its ninth year, this national business competition showcases U.S. startup companies developing innovative solutions to challenges faced by America’s farmers, ranchers and rural communities.

Farm Bureau is offering $165,000 in startup funds throughout the course of the competition, which will culminate in the top 10 semi-finalists competing in a live pitch competition in front of Farm Bureau members, investors and industry representatives at the AFBF Convention in Jan. 2023 in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

“Innovation is at the heart of everything farmers and 2020 top 10 semi-finalist The Bene Baby Company, Inc, team ranchers do,” said AFBF President Zippy Duvall. “The Ag lead Nikos Linardakis from Nekoosa, Wisconsin. The team Innovation Challenge is an outstanding avenue for identifying was awarded $10,000. and supporting startup businesses striving to solve the problems facing rural America. I look forward to seeing the software platform that helps farmers successfully hire, train and innovative, resourceful and creative solutions that Challenge communicate with employees (2021 Ag Innovation Challenge applicants submit.”

Winner). Other examples of successful Ag Innovation Applications remain open through April 29, and the 10 Challenge participants, as well as detailed eligibility guidelines semi-finalist teams will be announced Sept. 13. Each of the and the competition timeline can be found at fb.org/challenge. semi-finalist teams will be awarded $10,000 and a chance to Entrepreneurs must be members of a county or parish Farm compete to advance to the final round where four teams will Bureau within their state of residence to qualify as top 10 semireceive an additional $5,000 each. The final four teams will finalists. Applicants who are not Farm Bureau members can compete to win: visit fb.org/about/join to learn about becoming a member.

•F arm Bureau Ag Innovation Challenge Winner, for a total Applications must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Daylight of $50,000 Time on April 29.

•F arm Bureau Ag Innovation Challenge CREDIT: AFBF PHOTO - PHILIP GERLACH Runner-up, for a total of $20,000 •P eople’s Choice Team selected by public vote, for an additional $5,000 (all 10 semi-finalist teams compete for this honor) Prior to the live pitch competition, the top 10 semi-finalist teams will participate in pitch training and mentorship from Cornell University’s SC Johnson College of Business faculty, and network with representatives from the Agriculture Department’s Rural Business Investment Companies.

Recent winners of the Ag Innovation Challenge include Grain Weevil Corporation, a grain bin safety and management robot that improves farmer well-being by controlling risks and costs (2022 Grain Weevil Corporation from Nebraska was the 2022 Ag Innovation Challenge Ag Innovation Challenge Winner) and Harvust, a winner.

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WISCONSIN FARM BUREAU FEDERATION

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ISSUES

2022 Legislative Session Wraps Up W

isconsin Farm Bureau works hard to promote policies on the local, state and national levels that support Wisconsin farmers. As the state legislative session wraps up,

WFBF is reflecting on several successes this year.

The 2021-2023 State Budget included many WFBF budget priorities that staff worked to have included.

This budget included many positive agricultural provisions including additional funding for producer-led watershed efforts, farmer mental health, agricultural exports, dairy processor grants, County Land and Water staff, well compensation and remediation, broadband, general transportation aids, the Local Roads Improvement Program, the Dairy Innovation Hub, and Extension/CALS Research Specialists.

WFBF appreciates the support and acknowledgment from legislators, members of the Joint Committee on Finance and the governor that agriculture is important to Wisconsin and is reflected in this budget.

2021-23 BUDGET

AGRICULTURAL NITRATE LEGISLATION

PHOTO CREDIT UW DISCOVERY FARMS

On Feb. 22, the Joint Committee on Finance passed the funding provisions in an executive session followed by a unanimous vote by the Assembly on Feb. 23. The legislation passed the Senate on March 8.

Provisions included in AB 727 that prioritize farmer-led conservation efforts to reduce nitrogen on farms include: • Pilot Grant Program to Promote Nitrogen Optimization - $2 million for a commercial nitrogen optimization pilot grant program requiring Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection to award grants of up to $50,000 to farmers who implement projects to optimize commercial nitrogen use. Optimizing the use of nitrogen will improve water quality.

• Funding for a Hydrogeologist – The bill provides funding for a three-year project position for one full-time hydrogeologist for the Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey focusing on depth-to-bedrock information at the county and local level • Cover Crop Insurance Rebates – The bill creates a crop insurance premium rebate program where farmers may receive $5 per acre to help offset the costs to plant cover crops funded at $400,000 per year. Cover crops help reduce agricultural runoff.

The next step is for the legislation to be signed into law by Governor Tony Evers.

NON-PROBATE TRANSFER OF FARM EQUIPMENT AT DEATH LEGISLATION On March 18, Gov. Evers signed the bipartisan Non-probate Transfer of Farming Implements at Death legislation into law.

There is a current allowance in Wisconsin law for nonprobate transfer of real estate in certain circumstances and this legislation provides a similar mechanism for farm implements.

This law is important because costly farm implements can quickly tip the estate over the threshold requiring it to go through probate.

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WISCONSIN FARM BUREAU FEDERATION

WISCONSIN AG EXPORT LEGISLATION (TRAILER BILL #1) The State Budget included a newlyestablished program at DATCP to enhance agricultural exports over a five-year period of time. Specific categories of agricultural goods identified in the program are dairy, meat and crops.

The provision within

the budget assumed use of a federal program fund for dairy that is unable to be used for this specific agricultural export enhancement program. This legislation restored full funding to the export program, reestablish a structure with measurable goals for export expansion, establish specific grant appropriation deadlines and allows for a strategic plan to be shared with the Legislature and a five-year evaluation and audit of the program.

WFBF provided testimony before the Joint Committee on Finance on Oct. 19 in support of this legislation.

In early December, Gov. Evers signed the Agricultural Export Legislation into law as 2021 Wisconsin Act 92.

GRANTS FOR DAIRY EXPORTS PROMOTION AND MAKING APPROPRIATION (TRAILER BILL #2) On March 22, Gov. Evers signed the Grants for Dairy Exports Promotion and Making Appropriation bill into law.

This bill releases $558,400 of the already committed $5 million to the DATCP’s newly created Wisconsin Initiative for Agricultural Exports (WIAE).

This legislation directs unused funding within DATCP to fund Wisconsin Initiative for Agricultural Exports in 2022 and

2023. WIAE aims to increase the state’s agricultural exports by 25% by 2026. This includes increasing the exports for cheese, yogurt, butter and other dairy products. By providing more opportunities for product innovation and new market access, opportunities for new and existing market development are also provided.

MANAGED FOREST LAND LEGISLATION

Wisconsin’s Managed Forest Land program is the primary forest law program in the state. In exchange for following a written forest management plan and program requirements, MFL landowners pay MFL program rates for property enrolled in the program instead of property taxes. The program is administered by the Department of Natural Resources.

The recently passed legislation made a number of changes to the program through AB 909 authored by Representative Jeffrey Mursau (R - Crivitz). The legislation changed the minimum acreage requirement from 20 acres to two, 10-acre parcels not contiguous to each other. Additional changes include authorizing buildings used exclusively for storage, clarifying the law with respect to voluntary withdrawals of land and clarifying the law regarding leasing of MFL land.

AB 909 passed with significant bipartisan support. This bill is waiting for Gov. Evers signature to become law.

BLIGHTED LAND LEGISLATION

SB 835 was signed into law as 2021 Wisconsin Act 198 by Gov. Evers on March 18.

This legislation solidifies that property that is not blighted may not be acquired through the use of condemnation by any entity, including a city, village or town, that has condemnation authority if the intent is to convey or lease the acquired property to a private entity.

This law addresses the concern WFBF highlighted regarding the unlawful use of a blighted declaration to utilize the condemnation process for productive farmland in Kenosha County for the Foxconn building project.

APRIL | MAY 2022

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Discovery Farms®

Minimize Soil and Nutrient Loss for Water Quality and Agronomic Benefits

Information and imagery submitted by Discovery Farms

H

ave you made plans to incorporate conservation strategies into your farm fields this season? As the spring warmup and fieldwork are just around the corner, the Discovery Farms Program wants to share some key reminders about ways you can minimize soil and nutrient losses from your fields. The loss of soil and nutrients through surface runoff not only leads to the degradation of water quality but also can lead to the loss of productivity on your fields.

From more than 20 years of water quality research in Wisconsin, Discovery Farms has learned a few key management strategies that can help you keep soil and nutrients where they belong, in the field and available for a productive cropping system.

Protect Soils With Cover and Minimal Disturbance

Discovery Farm research has found that practices such as eliminating or minimizing tillage and providing soil protection through cover crops, pasture or with well-established grassed waterways helps to keep Rye cover crop soils from being lost.

By limiting your soil loss, you also will limit your phosphorus loss in the particulate form.

Grassed waterway

Particulate phosphorus is the form that is bound to and moves with soil as it leaves the field. No-till systems do a great job of nearly eliminating soil loss by not disturbing the soil. This keeps an armor of crop residue on the soil shielding it from impact of rainfall.

No matter your tillage type, it is crucial to protect concentrated flow areas where water gathers to exit the field. In fields with no, or poorly established grassed waterways, it is often visually evident the impact of large runoff events on soil loss. A well-established grassed waterway in a concentrated flow area will reduce erosion, convey water runoff without causing flooding, filter nutrients from runoff, smooth crossings for equipment and provide wildlife habitat.

For more guidance on minimizing soil erosion and establishing grassed waterways, visit our Field Walkover Guide, (bit.ly/3HxfkNg) found on the Discovery Farms website.

Cover crops are another way to protect

the soil from loss during months when soil is often found bare.

Discovery Farms monitoring shows in Wisconsin, the greatest soil loss is in May, followed by June shown in Fig. 1.

Low disturbance manure injection into a hayfield in the Yahara watershed.

Fig. 1. Soil loss by month from Discovery Farms monitoring in Wisconsin. May shows the highest levels of soil loss followed by June.

In these months, the weather is warm enough where soil is not frozen, however, crops are not yet established enough to protect soils if a runoff event occurs. One way to benefit from established cover crops in the critical months of May and June is to 'plant green' into an established cover crop. A cover crop that was planted the previous fall and establishes well in the spring will provide erosion control during spring rainfall. Watch the video “Producer-Led Webinar Series, Planting corn into standing rye,” found at bit.ly/3tdB2Re, to learn about how one Wisconsin farmer plants green.

can build up phosphorus that is subject to loss in the dissolved form, or the form of phosphorus that moves with water.

Find a balance between placing nutrients below the surface while not over disturbing the soil that leads to soil loss.

Injecting or banding manure and fertilizers in combination with conservation tillage practices is one way to reduce soil and phosphorus loss in both forms.

Incorporating conservation management practices that are tailored to your cropping system and landscape are important, and they require planning.

Discovery Farms realizes events occur that are out of our control that might lead to significant loss. Weather patterns are more unpredictable than ever, with extreme precipitation events happening more often. Because of this, it is crucial to prepare as best you can for these extreme events in order to protect your fields from loss. This year, we hope these strategies will motivate you to incorporate conservation into your management decisions.

continued on page 12

Tony Pierick planting green.

Layer Conservation Practices For The Most Benefit

Managing soil loss is a great first step to incorporating conservation on your farm, however, it is not the last step.

Layering multiple practices that aim to keep soil in place and get nutrients to plant roots will provide the most benefit.

Repeated surface application of nutrients without incorporation APRIL | MAY 2022

Discovery Farms is a farmer-led, research and outreach program that is a part of the UW-Madison Division of Extension.

The program was founded in Wisconsin in 2001 with the task to partner with farmers to collect on-farm water quality data around the state and extend that information so that others could understand the impact of practices, and, if needed, adapt and adopt specific solutions to water quality challenges. We strive to deliver unbiased research and solutions to farmers like you who are looking to minimize their farm’s impact on water quality.

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New Discovery Farms Happenings

We are excited to announce a few new changes to our program that will help us better serve our target audience, farmers like you.

One of those new happenings is the formation of the Agriculture Water Quality Program. Statewide, there has been an increase in demand for research and information on the impact of water quality from agricultural practices. This demand created an opportunity for Extension to create the Agriculture Water Quality Program that will serve the state with Extension programming focused on water quality, agriculture and the environment.

The Discovery Farms Program will be housed within the Ag Water Quality Program and continue to perform research, just as we always have. Being housed in this new program will boost our ability to spread more messaging and key findings from our research in order to meet the needs of Wisconsin farmers and community members with the use of Extension outreach specialists.

Something else new to the Discovery Farms Program is our Nitrogen Leaching Project. Last November, we installed eight lysimeter monitoring systems on a field in Pepin County. These lysimeters will capture water flowing beyond the rootzone that is on its way to groundwater. Water flowing downwards through soil can potentially contain high levels of soluble nutrients such as nitrate.

There are growing concerns about groundwater quality in Wisconsin, and a lot of speculation about agriculture’s impact. Limited data on this make it difficult to determine the scope and source of groundwater quality concerns. In this study we will have a control and treatment plot where after a baseline year of sample collection, the treatment plot will receive a conservation management practice and the control will stay the same.

This will aid in our discovery of how effective conservation practices limit the loss of nitrate to groundwater. We are working closely with our local partners in Pepin County from the Land Conservation Department and the Farmer-Led Watershed Group Farmers 4 Health.

We are still monitoring with our traditional edge-offield surface water quality monitors. Our newest surface water study was put into place in Marathon County last fall. Discovery Farms established a partnership with the Marathon County Conservation Planning and Zoning Department and the Eau Pleine Partnership for Integrated Conservation (EPPIC) Farmer-Led Watershed Group. This partnership was established to evaluate the impact of regenerative agriculture practices on surface water quality. Two edge-of-field monitoring stations are installed on two dairy farms and will remain in place for multiple years. We are hoping to provide tangible data that can be used to interpret the effectiveness of grazing, cover crops, and low disturbance manure application on water quality. This data will be turned into resources available for farmers, community members, policymakers and beyond.

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Field Day at new nitrate leaching project.

Lysimeter monitor in the winter.

Site selection in Marathon County.

Connect with the Discovery Farms Program! @uwdiscoveryfarms

uwdiscoveryfarms.org

For questions, contact erica.gentry@wisc.edu WISCONSIN FARM BUREAU FEDERATION

Farm Bureau needs members like you to step up for a special challenge: to sign up at least five new Farm Bureau members by Sept. 30.

Farm Bureau volunteers who invite their friends and neighbors to join the organization are eligible to receive a $20 cash award for every new member they sign up.

Volunteers signing five or more new members by Sept. 30 qualify as members of the Farm Bureau Proud Club and will receive special recognition at the Farm Bureau Proud Banquet during the WFBF Annual Meeting on Dec. 4.

Membership applications are available online, from your county Farm Bureau office or by contacting the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation at 800.261.FARM. To receive proper credit for new members signed, be sure to fill in your name as ‘membership worker’ and submit all memberships prior to Sept. 30.

New members must have no prior membership or be at least 25 months past due. Official contest rules available from the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation.

APRIL | MAY 2022

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Greg served on the Manitowoc County Farm Bureau board for 25 years and served on the state Young Farmer Committee (now Young Farmer and Agriculturist Committee) 22 years ago. As chair of this committee for a year, he served on the WFBF Board.

Greg has noticed enhanced cow comfort and social activity since moving into the new barn. Cows milk voluntarily in the robot box.

LIBERTYLAND FARMS:

Labor efficiencies and environmental considerations

By Rachel Gerbitz

S

ustainability is about leaving the land, water and soil better for the next generation.

It also means leaving a successful and profitable legacy for children and grandchildren to continue doing what they were called to do – contribute to a safe, sustainable food supply.

For the Gries family at Libertyland Farms in Valders in Manitowoc County, that meant expanding its dairy herd from 90 cows milked in a tie stall barn to 380 cows milked by five Lely robots.

almost 400 cows between three family members and one fulltime employee.

Automation and advanced technology lend well to attracting a sustainable workforce. The up-and-coming generation of farm labor and employees are intrigued by the innovation and efficiency that comes with new technology on the farm.

While the amount of labor on the farm is similar, robots and automation offer a flexible management style and an answer to the, ‘Who is going to milk?’ question.

Cow comfort is a priority at Libertyland. The new barn has EFFICIENCY AND COW sand bedding, flex stalls, cow brushes and plenty COMFORT PROMOTE of open space to enhance cow comfort.

SUSTAINABILITY Because of this focus on cow comfort, the Greg Gries saw robots as an Gries’ are seeing increased longevity in the cows. opportunity for his daughter Rachel “We are excited to see another lactation or and son-in-law Zak to thrive and be two from our oldest cows and we know that successful on the farm. The expansion trend will continue as our youngest cows get project was the next step in preserving older,” shared Rachel. the three-generation legacy started by Each cow at Libertyland Farms wears his great-grandfather in the 1940s. an activity collar that communicates with “My daughter and son-in-law the robot. This allows the Gries family to wanted to be part of the farming manage it individually. The robot software also operation,” said Greg. “The next communicates with a mobile app that notifies generation was not going to be able to Greg, Rachel or Zak if something take over without improvement.” needs attention.

Greg farms with his They had reached maximum The robots have presented an exciting new parents, Harlan and Judy capacity in the tie stall barn. Even challenge for the Gries family. Family members and his daughter and sonwith additions to the tie stall have embraced the new management style and in-law, Rachel and Zak throughout the years, it could not are motivated to work hard towards making the support the goals of the next generation. They moved into the herd even better. new robot barn in Feb., 2020.

“There is still plenty of work to do with daily cow care tasks, Labor efficiency is a sustainability success at Libertyland but I can go home for dinner at 6:30 p.m. and know my cows Farms. The family successfully manages five robots and are still getting milked throughout the night,” noted Greg.

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WISCONSIN FARM BUREAU FEDERATION

The new barn has sand bedding, flex stalls, cow brushes and plenty of open space to enhance cow comfort. The flexible freestall arms, rubber loop and rubber neckrail brackets provide freedom of movement into and out of the cubicle leading to a significant reduction in injuries.

Alfalfa planted in between the corn rows.

The goal of the system is to establish an exceptional alfalfa stand. The corn serves as a companion crop to the alfalfa.

SUPPLIED PHOTO

Movable rubber covers help to divert clean water to nearby ditches and corn fields.

The added flexibility allows Greg to complete his cow care tasks and attend his daughter’s volleyball games. Rachel has a full-time job off the farm and can run the farm’s exceptional calf care program. Zak can help in the barn as needed but can focus his time and energy on the crops and equipment.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR THE EXPANSION PROJECT The herd expansion necessitated increased feed and manure storage. Prior to the expansion, the Gries family was feeding the cows out of silos. They constructed a new feed pad as part of the herd expansion to store more feed for the growing herd.

Grieses installed Miller’s CLeaRTM rainwater diversion system to manage leachate and runoff collection from the new feed pad. CLeaR stands for 'Collecting Leachate and Runoff.' The state-of-the-art system separates clean water from contaminated water.

“The goal is to keep clean water clean,” Greg said.

Collection channels in the concrete open into an underground gutter and run the entire length of the feed pad.

The system offers some flexibility as the Grieses can move rubber closures to collect contaminated water closer to the feed pile and divert clean water in areas with no contamination risk.

The gutter is always open in the “‘active use area’ - the area nearest the face of the feed pile.

The gutter is open under the entire length of the pile, so any leachate seeping from the pile is caught and diverted through the system.

Clean water flows to nearby fields and ditches. Contaminated water is contained in the gutters and flows into a small leachate pond. The leachate pond is connected to the larger manure storage facility.

Movable dams created from recycled manure drag lines can be used to further divert the flow of contaminated water into the APRIL | MAY 2022

SUPPLIED PHOTO

gutters and keep the clean water separated.

According to Miller Engineers Scientists, the system can reduce the amount of water collected in a leachate pond by up to 90%.

This was the first entire winter with the feed pad full. The farm has already seen savings in keeping the clean water clean.

They have eliminated the need for extra storage for run-off water and can keep the excess water out of the manure storage.

OTHER CONSERVATION CONSIDERATIONS Greg has been experimenting with cover crops for several years. The farm is part of the Between the Lakes Demo Farms Network. Libertyland is the lead farm for the Manitowoc County branch of the Demo Farms group.

Greg and Zak have experimented with low disturbance manure application and planting cover crops directly after manure application.

“With minimal till manure we don’t destroy our soil structure,” shared Zak. Planting cover crops immediately before minimal disturbance manure application minimizes loss of manure nutrients. Zak and Greg have noticed a boost of cover crop growth and better root structure to prevent erosion. The well-established cover crops promote nutrient uptake that will be returned to the soil in the spring through plant decomposition rather than risking it being tied up or leaching off in the fall.

Greg also has experimented with inter-seeding corn and alfalfa and frost seeding winter rye into corn stubble.

“I’m going to keep trying more cover crop species and tweaking a few things to keep getting better,” said Greg.

The Gries family had sustainability and longevity in mind when expanding the herd and building a new facility. From environmental considerations to labor efficiencies, the Gries family has set themselves up for success for generations to come. wfbf.com

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Farm Bureau Leaders

IGNITED

by Recent Conference W

isconsin Farm Bureau hosted its biannual IGNITE Conference at the Holiday Inn Convention Center in Stevens Point, March 25-26. Cosponsored by Rural Mutual Insurance Company, IGNITE stands for Innovate, Grow, Network, Inform, Train and Engage. With about 125 members in attendance, the conference gave attendees the opportunity to develop professional skills that will strengthen their county Farm Bureaus.

“IGNITE does a great job of giving members and growing leaders the tools we need to go back to our home counties and districts and be successful,” said WFBF Young Farmer and Agriculturist Committee Chair Bob Nash. “I was happy to see a lot of new, young faces attending this year’s conference.”

The conference began on March 25 with fourth-generation Wisconsin dairy farmer and leadership trainer, Hank Wagner.

Hank shared the value of relationships and being a servant leader. The evening banquet featured a celebration of Farm Bureau membership, led by WFBF Vice President Dave

2022

AFBF Senior Director of Media and Advocacy Training Johnna Miller led a media training focused on crafting messages to best represent agriculture. Participants learned how to pitch story ideas, deliver key points and effectively answer tough questions while sharing their story.

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Keynote speaker Hank Wagner asked Farm Bureau members who serves on a town, county or school board.

Daniels, with members reminiscing on why they became a Farm Bureau member and celebrating the organization’s volunteers.

The conference offered four tracks: policy, issues and advocacy; governance and organization; building Farm Bureau; and communicating for agriculture and Farm Bureau. Attendees could follow a certain track or divide their time between multiple tracks. Twenty breakout sessions were offered. Sessions included a political outlook for 2022, consumer outreach tactics, member recruitment and many more.

“The breakout sessions had many take-home lessons,” said WFBF Promotion and Education Committee Chair Brenda Dowiasch. “They provided attendees with many opportunities to connect with trainers, staff and state committee members to learn new ways they can contribute to their county Farm Bureaus.”

During the morning general session on March 26, Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation Director of Membership and Marketing Robin Kinney shared why volunteers are the important people who energize the organization and contribute to its success. The conference concluded with motivational speaker Rick Metzger. Metzger shared his four rules of success, encouraging members to be kind, live life to the fullest and be thankful for the opportunity to follow dreams.

Minnesota Farm Bureau Membership & Marketing Director Robin Kinney presented a session on working with a variety of volunteers.

According to Kinney, high quality volunteers exhibit honesty, confidence, creativity, intuitiveness, communication, commitment and decisiveness when leading a team.

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WFBF Ag in the Classroom Coordinator Beth Schaefer led workshop attendees in activities to list their challenges to get into classrooms, their ‘must-have’ resources and wish list resources.

Closing keynote speaker Mark Metzger illustrated the importance of communicating clear instructions with conference attendees.

WFBF YFA Committee Chair Bob Nash led a panel presentation on taking a YFA program to the next level, whether you are looking to start a program or implement new activities.

Wisconsin REALTORS® Association Political Director Joe Murray gave an overview of the current political landscape and discussed upcoming November elections.

During a membership workshop participants shared barriers to doing membership work and shared solutions to those barriers. WFBF District 5 Coordinator Becky Hibicki facilitated the discussions.

Brown County Farm Bureau member Stan Kaczmarek shared his Farm Bureau story during the Friday night session led by WFBF Vice President Dave Daniels.

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MORE THAN 140 ATTEND FARM BUREAU’S

FFA FARM FORUM More than 140 high school juniors from around Wisconsin attended Wisconsin Farm Bureau’s FFA Farm Forum in Wisconsin Rapids on Feb. 18.

“F

FA Farm Forum is a time for learning and leadership,” said WFBF President Kevin Krentz.

“Thank you for being a part of FFA Farm Forum and for honing in on your leadership skills, learning more and investing in yourself.”

The keynote speaker was Director of Communications and Outreach with the Wisconsin Beef Council Kaitlyn Riley.

Riley explored new ways to put the success of agriculture on center stage one voice at a time as advocates.

During the one-day event at Hotel Mead, FFA members attended career-based workshops including: ‘Meat’ Your Future in Wisconsin with Kaitlyn Riley and Matt Bayer, master meat crafter; Basics of Risk Management and Why It Matters with Mike North of ever.ag; Welcome to Jeopardy: Rural and Agricultural Edition with Melissa Ploeckelman of the National Children’s Center for Rural and Agricultural Health and Safety; and A Day in the Life on a Potato Farm with Mike Leahy, Lynn Leahy and Tom Schultz of Heartland Farms, Inc. “FFA Farm Forum is a great partnership between Wisconsin Farm Bureau and Wisconsin FFA to encourage leadership development and exploration of careers in agriculture,” said WFBF Director of Member Relations Mandy Ganser. “We

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were excited to host this conference for future agricultural leaders who have a passion for agriculture and a desire to learn.”

The Wisconsin Farm Bureau Foundation sponsors FFA Farm Forum in cooperation with the Wisconsin Association of FFA. After holding the event virtually in 2021, this year’s FFA Farm Forum marks the 49th time the event has been hosted in person for Wisconsin youth.

Kaitlyn Riley from the Wisconsin Beef Council gave the keynote message.

WISCONSIN FARM BUREAU FEDERATION

FFA members learned about potato farming in Wisconsin from representatives from Heartland Farms, Inc.

Attendees enjoyed a game of farm safety Jeopardy with Melissa Ploeckelman from the National Children’s Center for Rural and Agricultural Health and Safety.

Master meat crafter Matt Bayer showed FFA Members how to make sausage.

Early risers attended a session that included line dancing.

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Grassroots in Action

Farm Bureau prides itself on being a grassroots organization. Members belong to one of the 61 county Farm Bureaus. Throughout the state, local members advocate for Farm Bureau and agriculture in a variety of ways. Here are some of the activities and projects happening locally.

District 1 YFA Bull Riding Event

Sauk County Members Speak Up

On Feb. 5, Young Farmer and Agriculturist members from counties in District 1 came together wearing flannel shirts, cowboy boots and some cowboy hats to enjoy a night of professional bull riding at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee.

The 40-ticket block sold out almost immediately and the event was a huge success.

On Jan. 13, local Farm Bureau members made the last of several appearances before the Sauk County Board of Supervisors and the Land Resources and Environmental Department regarding potential changes to the Chapter 26 manure management ordinance. Tommy Brennan and Galen Alwin testified how these changes would affect farmers in Sauk County and thanked those involved for working together to make acceptable changes.

Grant County YFA Members Enjoy Rodeo Outing In February, Grant County YFA members attended the Battle for the Bluff Rodeo at the Five Flags Center in Dubuque, Iowa.

Cowboys competed in three premiere rodeo events: bull riding, bareback bronc riding and saddle bronc riding. Members enjoyed a fun and entertaining night out.

Oconto County Farm Neighbors Care project In October, the Oconto County Farm Bureau provided the food and bags for 100 Farm Neighbors Care bags to be assembled and distributed.

Oconto County Farm Bureau partnered with the Gillett, Lena, Oconto Falls and Suring FFA chapters in the county for distribution to local farmers. The Oconto Falls FFA assembled the bags and helped distribute them as a community service project, under the direction of their FFA advisor and Oconto County Farm Bureau Promotion and Education Committee chair Walter Taylor.

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These comments followed more than a year of work and testimony by other Farm Bureau members and assistance from the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation governmental relations team. The final changes to the ordinance were a major simplification from the original plan. Farm Bureau involvement was repeatedly mentioned by county board and committee members as the reason for most of the changes.

District 4 Counties Support Soil Health Workshop Trempealeau County Farm Bureau board member Brian Maliszewski and Jackson County Farm Bureau board member Nathan Kling are guiding farmers in the all-important phases of establishing cover crops in western Wisconsin. Each member spoke on a panel at the Buffalo-Trempealeau Soil Health Workshop.

The workshop was made possible by a grant from the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection. More than 100 farmers attended the event held Feb. 15, at the Northwoods Pub in Osseo. The speaker at the event was Ray Archuleta with his presentation on biomimicry. Assistance was provided by Western Technical College along with Chippewa Valley Technical College. Thank you to on-farm instructors Brad Sirianni and Mark Denk (who also is a Buffalo County Farm Bureau board director) for making the event happen.

WISCONSIN FARM BUREAU FEDERATION

Winnebago County Hosts Community Night Nearly 150 people attended the Winnebago County Farm Bureau Community Night held on Jan. 15 at Brighton Acres in Oshkosh. The event started in the afternoon with BINGO, a variety of kid-friendly activities and a mac-and-cheese buffet. Later in the evening, the band Spitfire Rodeo played. The county held a variety of raffles and a live auction to help raise money for county programs. A variety of informational booths were set up promoting Farm Bureau and county programs. Many area businesses also helped sponsor the event.

District 8 Energy Summit In February, Clark, Lincoln, Marathon, Portage, Price, Taylor and Wood counties hosted an energy summit.

Speakers included: Matt Johnson from the Land and Liberty Coalition, Ken Ceaglske from Taylor Electric and Jeff Springer from Dairyland Power Cooperative.

Barron County Farm Bureau Hosts Carbon Market Meeting On Feb. 28, there was no buying and there was no selling but what was being exchanged was unbiased information as Barron County Farm Bureau hosted an informational meeting on the current carbon market. Michael Geissinger, Regional Crops Extension Educator with UW-Madison Division of Extension, was the presenter. Hearing unbiased facts farmers asked plenty of questions and enjoyed the opportunity to share, discuss with each other and then formulate opinions.

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Shawano and Waupaca County YFA Join Together for Curling Event On Feb. 12, Shawano and Waupaca counties held a joint pizza and curling YFA event in Clintonville. Twentyfive YFA members met for a pizza and salad bar luncheon at Cindy B’s Bar and Grill. By coincidence, while everyone ate, the U.S. Olympic Curling team was on the television against Norway.

After lunch, the group headed to the nearby Clintonville Curling Club and got to try curling after some expert instructions from club members. It was a lot harder than the Olympic team made it look. Most in attendance were more familiar with picking stones than launching stones across the ice, but the event was a great opportunity to learn a new skill.

Racine County Bowling Night On Feb. 18, members of Racine County Farm Bureau gathered for pizza, bowling and fun.

Members of all ages attended and enjoyed a fun night together. This event is held each year to bring Farm Bureau families together.

Sauk County Hosts New Event Sauk County Farm Bureau held a new community event this past year.

Milk and Cookies with Santa was held on Dec. 11, the weekend after WFBF Annual Meeting and the day after a snow and ice storm in the area. There was a slow start to the snowy morning, but as the sun came out and the snow was plowed, the attendance picked up.

The event was held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Reedsburg. Santa was there, along with some Christmas crafts, milk and cookies. Sauk County Farm Bureau partnered with local businesses to put on the event. The Reedsburg Young Professional provided Christmas crafts, Sauk County Dairy Promoters provided the milk and cookies and Peterson and Company Fitness provided the space.

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5

MINUTES

WITH WASHINGTON COUNTY’S

PETER MUTH

By Marian Viney

I graduated from high school in 1999 and then attended the two-year program at UW-Madison’s Farm & Industry Short Course. Afterwards I started farming full-time with my parents, George and Kathy. My wife is Gina and our daughter is Josephina.

Farm Bureau is a family affair for us. I’ve been a Farm Bureau member since 2001. My dad serves on the Washington County Farm Bureau board and my mom serves as the WFBF Promotion and Education Committee Representative for District 1 and is active with Ag in the Classroom.

When you were growing up what did you want to be?

SUPPLIED PHOTO

Please share a little about yourself.

what is happening in agriculture. One of the challenges in Washington County is finding the balance between urban and rural. With the decline in the number of farms and the decrease in agricultural land in general we are challenged constantly on how to keep the public informed.

I always wanted to be a farmer.

Please share your farming responsibilities.

Showing dairy cattle at my county fair and the Wisconsin State Fair.

We milk 200 Holsteins and grow crops on 750 acres including corn, soybeans, wheat and alfalfa. I also do some custom bagging for area farmers.

Share your experience of serving as Young Farmer and Agriculturist Chair and now as president of the Washington County Farm Bureau. What is the best part of these roles? The most challenging part of these roles?

You participated in FFA. What is one agricultural experience that has defined you?

What is one Farm Bureau experience of which you are most proud?

2013 D.C. Trip. From left: Peter Muth, Luke Lisowe, Eugene Hansen and Bill Barlass.

Participating in the WFBF Leadership Institute. It was a wonderful experience. I gained confidence and learned the right tools for leadership development. It helped me to better myself and become a stronger county Farm Bureau leader. A great program from start to finish.

What is something that many Farm Bureau members do not know about you?

I’m a captain for the Fillmore Volunteer Fire Department.

What Farm Bureau committees have you served on?

I served as YFA chair For WFBF committees I’ve served for Washington County as the representative for District 1 for a few years and then on the YFA Committee and serve as I was appointed to fill a the vice chair of the Volunteers For term for another board Agriculture® Committee,WFBF’s member. During the next political action committee. At the election, I was re-elected. In 2012, Peter participated in the Leadership Institute. county level, I’ve served as vice The best part of being president and president on the board and on the membership, involved with Farm Bureau is meeting new people and seeing fair and Promotion and Education committees.

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Make your membership

BLOOM

with moneysaving benefits.

Farm Bureau members who are agricultural producers and patrons of their local FS cooperative are eligible to receive patronage when patronage is paid.

Through an exclusive program offered by Yamaha Motor Corp., USA, Farm Bureau members receive a $250 pre-paid debit card with the purchase of select 4WD ATV, Side-by-Side and Snowmobile models. Fill out the rebate form at bit.ly/3inykme. You need your Farm Bureau member number to complete the form. *You must be a paid Wisconsin Farm Bureau member at time of purchase to receive the $250 rebate.

Members receive an incentive discount (up to $500) when purchasing qualifying Case IH equipment from participating dealers.

Rural Mutual

You can get more information about the services Farm Bureau Financial offers from your local Rural Insurance agent. Learn more at fbfs.com.

Insurance Company To find a Rural Mutual Insurance Company agent, visit ruralmutual.com or call 877.219.9550.

Wisconsin Farm Bureau members save up to 20% off published rates at participating Wyndham Hotels.

Farm Bureau $500 Exclusive Cash Reward offer for new 2021/2022/2023 Ford Ranger, Maverick, F-150, and Super Duty (to F-550). Must be a member for 30 days.

Visit fordfarmbureauadvantage.com for complete details or to print your certificate.

Members qualify for a variety of discounts on new purchases. Visit wfbf.com to print your certificate and for details on models and discounts.

Take advantage of Farm Bureau Bank’s FDIC-insured checking, savings and money market accounts, certificates of deposit, credit cards and vehicle and home loans.

Visit farmbureau.bank.

Wisconsin Farm Bureau members save up to 20% off published rates at participating Choice Hotels.

Member Protector Policy • AgriVisor • Life Line Screening • Avis • Budget • ScriptSave • $500 Reward Protection Program Grainger • AgriPlan Medical Reimbursement Program • Office Depot • John Deere Visit wfbf.com to find out more about your membership benefits! *WFBF member benefits may be changed or discontinued at anytime without notice.* For complete details, visit wfbf.com/membership/member-benefits.

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WISCONSIN FARM BUREAU FEDERATION

MEMBERSHIP

Member Saves During Tour of Upper Michigan I

t’s easy for Wisconsin Farm Bureau members to save 20% at almost 5,000 Choice Hotels worldwide or 20% off the Best Available Rate at more than 8,000 participating Wyndham Hotels and Resorts worldwide.

Langlade County Farm Bureau member Tony Koss benefited from the 20% savings while he enjoyed the fall colors in Upper Michigan.

Tony at Bond Falls, a “After selling the cows about two waterfall in southern Ontonagon County, years ago, I thought last fall would be Michigan. a good time to travel around Upper Michigan,” said Tony. “Using the Farm Bureau member benefit for Choice Hotels, the savings was about $18 to $19 dollars a night and I stayed in Newberry, Houghton and Ironwood.”

Tony explained that using the Choice Hotel member benefit is easy to use.

“I called the number that is on the Farm Bureau website and provided the dates and the Farm Bureau identification number and within five to 10 minutes, my reservation was completed,” explained Tony.

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Farm Bureau members can save even more if they sign up for the Choice Privileges rewards program to start earning points towards free nights or flights in addition to the 20% discount.

Tony was a third-generation dairy farmer, milking about 45 Holstein cows. He now assists other farmers in the area. Tony’s family has been long-time Farm Bureau members.

“By sharing my experience I hope to inspire others to use the Farm Bureau member benefits,” added Tony. “In the past, I also have used a member benefit to purchase a vehicle.”

Tony serves on the Langlade County Farm Bureau board of directors and town board and previously served on the county board. He also volunteers for his church.

To take advantage of the Farm Bureau Choice Hotel International benefit, visit choiceprivileges.com or call 888.770.6800. Remember to provide the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation ID number (00209870) along with your Choice Privileges member number to receive your discount while earning Choice Privileges points.

To make reservations at one of the Wyndham Hotels, visit wyndhamhotels.com or call 877.670.7088 and be sure to mention the Farm Bureau corporate ID number (8000004288).

For more information about Farm Bureau member benefits, visit wfbf.com/membership/member-benefits.

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Spotlight on YFA

Get to know the members who are leading Wisconsin Farm Bureau’s Young Farmer and Agriculturist Program.

Jake and Jennifer Hoewisch, District 7 WFBF YFA Committee Representatives Farm Bureau members since 2012 Tell us a little bit about what you do as a career, your family, etc.

Jake is a fifthgeneration dairy farmer on his family’s farm in Waupaca County. He completed the Farm Operations program at Fox Valley Technical College and is in the midst of a farm transition with his parents and uncle.

Jennifer is a registered nurse at a hospital in Waupaca. We have two daughters, Adalynn who is 3.5 years and Everlee who is 8 months.

Why do you value your Farm Bureau membership?

Our Farm Bureau membership allows us to have a voice on important topics in our industry along with a large support system. Being a member gives us unique opportunities to meet people from around the country involved in different types of agriculture. This cultivates lasting friendships which we appreciate.

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What has been your favorite Farm Bureau program/event/ etc and why?

Our favorite event by far is the WFBF Annual Meeting and YFA Conference held in Wisconsin Dells. We have made so many connections during the event. Jake has participated in the Discussion Meet and served as a delegate for Waupaca County; both have been great experiences.

What would you tell YFA members about getting involved in the YFA program?

The YFA program has endless opportunities for leadership development, networking, communication development and learning more about governmental relations. We promise that whatever you put in to Farm Bureau and YFA, you will get back way more.

Best words of advice/words of wisdom?

Get involved! Each year be sure to set goals because the older you get the busier life gets. The opportunities and experiences that YFA can provide you with can’t be taken away and is a great way to help you achieve your goals. Don’t delay because the clock is ticking. Don’t forget that growth occurs outside of your comfort zone.

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LEADERSHIP

Buss Excels in Collegiate Discussion Meet E mma Buss, a member of the Collegiate Farm Bureau at UW-Platteville recently competed in the American Farm Bureau Collegiate Discussion Meet. The discussion meet simulates a committee meeting where discussion and active participation are expected from each participant.

This competition is evaluated on an exchange of ideas and information on a pre-determined topic. Participants build basic discussion skills, develop a keen understanding of important

agricultural issues and explore how groups can pool knowledge to reach consensus and solve problems. Buss qualified for the competition by being selected as the winner of the Wisconsin contest in December. She was awarded a $1,500 scholarship courtesy of GROWMARK, Inc., for winning the Wisconsin contest and a $400 scholarship for her participation in the national contest.

We asked Emma about her participation in the contest and here is what she had to say:

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Why did you decide to participate in the discussion meet?

I decided to participate in discussion meet because I enjoy becoming more knowledgeable on varying topics in agriculture. I participated in the discussion meet all through high school for FFA and wanted to continue forward with that passion in college. By participating, I was able to network with many other young farmers who have the same passions as I do.

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2

What did you gain by your participation in the discussion meet?

Overall, I gained a large amount of confidence in myself and public speaking skills. Being able to stand up and give a firm opening statement and then be able to have a cooperative attitude towards the other contestants is all important in everyday life!

What would you say to someone who is thinking about competing in either the collegiate or YFA discussion meet contest?

Don’t hesitate! Jump right in and enjoy the contest, no matter the outcome of the contest itself you will make new friends and connections in the agriculture community who will help you later on in life.

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LEADERSHIP

YFA Members Travel to Louisville A merican Farm Bureau hosted the 2022 Young Farmers & Ranchers Conference in Louisville, Kentucky, Feb. 25-28, with more than 800 young agricultural leaders

in attendance. Wisconsin was well represented with 20 members attending.

The conference provides networking opportunities for members to share experiences and connect with industry leadership, participate in engaging workshops and share ideas.

HERE ARE A FEW HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE CONFERENCE:

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Wisconsin Farm Bureau members posed for a photo at the AFBF YF&R Conference where the theme was, ‘The Triple Crown of Agriculture: Food, Fiber, Fuel.’

Bob Nash, chair of the WFBF YFA Committee, attended the state chairs networking session. He also provided an on-stage introduction during the conference.

Andrea Brossard, a member of Dodge County Farm Bureau, represented the AFBF Promotion and Education Committee on a workshop panel. The panel members discussed opportunities for members to serve on committees including YF&R, Women’s and Promotion and Education.

For the past two years, Sally Turpin, a member of the Juneau County Farm Bureau, served as a member of the AFBF YF&R Committee. She was the chair of the subcommittee that planned the conference and was recognized for her service by AFBF President Zippy Duvall.

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WISCONSIN FARM BUREAU FEDERATION

Q and A

Q: A: Q: A:

WITH PARTNERS IN ADVOCACY LEADERSHIP GRADUATE DEREK ORTH

How long have you been a Farm Bureau member?

17 years

What is the Partners in Advocacy Leadership Program?

Q: A:

Why did you choose to participate in the program?

Q: A:

What are the top three take aways from the program?

Tell us a bit about yourself.

Our family’s farming history goes back at least four generations and I have considered myself to be a farmer since birth. Our farm, Orthridge Jerseys, is outside of Fennimore and we raise Jersey cattle and grown corn, alfalfa, oats and cover crops.

I serve on the Grant County Farm Bureau board of directors and as a member of the WFBF Dairy committee. I am a former WFBF Young Farmer and Agriculturist Committee chair. On the national level, I served on the American Farm Bureau Young Farmer’s & Ranchers Committee with my wife Charisse. We have three children, Zeeva, Jaylee and Callum.

Q: A:

What does advocacy mean to you?

Q:

If a Farm Bureau member wanted to take their advocacy efforts to the next level, what are some steps they should take?

A:

Q: A:

To me, advocacy is sharing information about something important to you.

PAL is an executive level experience, training Farm Bureau members to be better advocates for agriculture, share stories with consumers and collaborate more with members of the legislature and other stakeholders. The program is for members ages 30 to 45 and the participants meet five times during a two-year period. In between meetings, participants engage in a variety of activities to help build their skills learned after each session.

I was looking for a next step in my Farm Bureau journey. I had recently retired from the AFBF YF&R Committee and PAL was the perfect opportunity to take advantage of.

Through PAL, I learned so much about building relationships and becoming a trusted source for people who have questions about what we do on our farms. I learned how to create videos and convey the right positive message about agriculture with consumers who haven't had first hand experience visiting a farm. PAL helped me hone my social media skills and showed me ways to be more ‘findable’ as a knowledgeable person in agriculture.

I think that no matter where you are in your advocacy journey, there are next steps that you can take. Find things that are interesting to you and share with your social media friends, join organizations that share your passions, or apply for a position for an organization you’re already a part of. There’s always people seeking the skills and stories that you already have to share!

would you tell other Farm Bureau members who Q: What are looking for a personal and professional development

A:

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experience like this?

PAL is a wonderful program with a lot of class-based and module learning. Due to the wide array of participants from across the U.S., I learned about different commodities, climates and more. I learned from my classmates about almonds to oranges, pudding to pumpkins, dry land to never seeing snow.

If you are looking for more personal and professional development opportunities closer to home, I would recommend participating in WFBF Leadership Institute or serving on a state WFBF committee. These would both be great first steps in your leadership development journey and PAL could help build upon that. wfbf.com

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VOICES

Farmers Are Tackling Climate Change A Message from WFBF President Kevin Krentz

I

know we don’t always use the term climate change in agriculture circles.

Whether we like that term or not, it’s here to stay so I say we’d better pull up a seat to the conversation.

We know that hurricanes and tsunamis have become more severe during the last generation. Inland fires and storms have become more prevalent and severe. Terms such as ‘derecho’ have become more wellknown, too. There is evidence out there pointing to climate change being real.

There is evidence human activity has affected climate over the years. Even though farmers are less than 2% of the population, we operate most of the land.

Agriculture more than any other industry, has the ability to harvest and hold more carbon within the soils we farm.

No-till, minimum-till, grazing,

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perennial crops, cover crops and forestry are a small list of strategies farmers use to harvest carbons within our soils.

A key component of completing the environmental cycle includes cattle.

Harvesting crops fed to cattle and using the manure as fertilizer is key to maintaining a healthy growing crop in which to harvest carbon from the atmosphere.

The agronomy of farming is a crucial first step in delivering the healthiest, safest food to tables around the world.

Just about everyone, including farmers, trucking companies and agri-businesses, are suffering from lack of labor. This has affected perishable food. Food waste is part of our environmental impact. Food waste in the U.S. is estimated at 30 to 40%. With spoiled and excess food being thrown away, food waste happens at every step from the field to the plate.

Labor shortage has increased this waste by stressing the system. If there is not enough labor to harvest the products, we have waste. Same goes if we can’t get timely trucking for the product to get to its destination.

A solution we have found is that livestock can consume some of the wasted food we cannot. Cattle can convert potatoes, other vegetables, distiller grains, cottonseed and sometimes even cookies or other sweets into another source of healthy protein.

Today, our customers expect transparency more than ever before.

As much as 50% of our consumers are

35-years old and younger. They fall under the ‘mission driven’ category of consumers. With a growing relationship between diet and health, they want transparency and want to know what farmers are doing to protect the environment and how they care for their animals. They also want to know our social impact and how we engage within our communities. This has been accelerated by the pandemic.

Farmers are ready for this conversation in many ways. Reducing, reusing and recycling has always been a natural thing for us. Farmers also are some of the best volunteers in their communities but sometimes we don’t share those connections because we don’t think people need or want to know.

Present a challenge to farmers and they will find solutions. However, it is important to note that they cannot be regulated out of business before they do.

Farm Bureau helps us pull up a seat to this conversation. Don’t be afraid to sit at the table and discuss old things in a new way. Our customers want to know.

Share how you care for the environment. Show the care you give to your animals. Explain how you are involved and invested in your community.

It matters.

Krentz was elected president of Wisconsin Farm Bureau in 2020. He is a dairy farmer from Berlin.

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Feeding Families During Peace and Crisis A Message from AFBF President Zippy Duvall

L

ike many of you, my heart has been heavy with the news of war with Russia’s attack on Ukraine. I am praying daily for the people of Ukraine, wisdom for President Biden and our allies and for a swift resolution. These events have been a sobering reminder of how fragile peace can be, and how we all play a role in protecting our families and communities from security risks at home and abroad.

As farmers and ranchers, our mission remains clear: to provide a safe, sustainable supply of food, fiber and renewable fuel. Our nation’s food security is a matter of national security—in times

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of war and peace. One of America’s greatest strengths is our ability to feed ourselves. We have seen that play out over modern history, especially in the last century. Don’t ever underestimate the importance of your role as a farmer or rancher. We may be a small percentage of the population here in the U.S., but America’s two million farm families are rising each day to ensure pantries across the country are filled. Remaining true to our mission on the farm frees the 98% of Americans off the farm to pursue other careers and roles that also keep our economy strong and moving forward.

Times of crisis—whether at home or abroad—remind us of the importance of doing the right thing. As Secretary Vilsack reminded companies last week, this is not a time to be opportunistic. War always brings costs—in addition to the unimaginable human loss and suffering.

Our focus as a nation and with our allies must be on seeing an end to this conflict and helping those devastated by the impact of war at their doorstep. There may be temporary costs and market disruptions for those of us an ocean away, but I pray that as a nation our first aim will be the safety and well-being of our neighbors near and far.

These unsettling recent events also remind us of the importance of remaining vigilant. U.S. agriculture has seen

firsthand how cyber-attacks can disrupt our food supply, like when a major meat processor was held ransom last summer by cyber terrorists. At the American Farm Bureau, we engaged with the FBI to learn how farm and ranch businesses can bolster their cyber-security to prevent against future attacks. We shared security bulletins with leaders and members of our organization to offer practical steps and guidance from the FBI. After seeing what Russia has unleashed on its neighbors, this is most certainly a time to be wise and set every precaution to keep our farm businesses and food supply safe.

Now, I don’t want to sound like a doomsayer—as you all know, I have an optimistic view of the future. While there is a great deal of uncertainty as to what the coming days and weeks might bring on the world’s stage, I have no doubt of what will remain true in fields across this great land. Farmers and ranchers will stay faithful to our work and everyday will find us still farming to provide the food our families, fellow Americans and neighbors around the world are counting on.

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

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VOICES

Acreage Becomes Primary Market Factor A Guest Column from AgriVisor’s Karl Setzer

N

ow, that the calendar has turned to spring, the U.S. planting season will start to dominate trade discussion.

The most talked about aspect of the season will be the acreage debate as we continue to see analysts release projections. Many of these have corn acres declining from last year and soybeans increasing. This year, analysts are also expecting to see a bump in wheat acres. While this is possible, the real question is how many acres may rotate from initial intentions.

This year, the most noted change is expected to corn plantings. Last year, farmers seeded 93.4 million acres to

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corn. Input costs have risen considerably since last year and analysts believe this will reduce corn being planted. A few projections have U.S. corn plantings falling as much as three million acres from that total. While this is possible, it seems like a reduction of that size is unlikely given actual farmer reports that corn still cash flows better in their operations than soybeans or wheat.

The same analysts who are predicting a sizable reduction to corn plantings are forecasting a rise in soybean plantings.

There are some models that show soybean acreage topping corn plantings for just the second time in history.

While this is possible, there are several questions the prediction raises. One of the main ones is if there is enough quality soybean seed available to satisfy plantings this large.

When these acreage forecasts are being made, analysts appear to leave out some very important factors. For one, many farmers across the U.S. lock in their inputs as soon as harvest wraps up, which will limit the number of acres that can shift. History also shows that farmers tend to maintain their set crop rotations and not alter them significantly from year to year.

Another point to consider, and what may be the most important, is local demand. If a farmer is surrounded by

corn outlets, they will be much less likely to shift away from that crop. The same is true if a farmer has local outlets for soybeans. We also need to consider weather in potential acres, which is a factor every planting season.

More attention on the U.S. growing season also means more attention on U.S. weather outlooks. The official outlook from NOAA, the U.S. will experience mixed conditions for the next few months. The eastern two-thirds of the U.S. are expected to see above normal temperatures from now through May. Above normal precipitation is forecasted for the Great Lakes and Pacific Northwest. This outlook is giving trade mixed signals. While the dry conditions will allow for a favorable planting season for much of the Corn Belt, it will not alleviate current drought conditions for the Plains and Western Corn Belt.

The question in the market is how much risk premium we may see if drought conditions persist. Last year, the U.S. experienced abnormally dry conditions in several production regions and yields were still quite impressive. This may limit market reaction unless crop loss can be proven.

Setzer is the commodity risk analyst for AgriVisor, one of WFBF's member benefits.

WISCONSIN FARM BUREAU FEDERATION

Up the Creek A column by Ken M. Blomberg

A

good friend and local farmer who is held in high regard once told me he had concerns with the term ‘sustainability’ as related to agriculture.

“That term traveled to our industry with definitions and guidelines many of us already had in place for years. From Madison to the farms, the word raised eyebrows at the time.”

It was several years ago that he heard it for the first time.

Incredibly, the sustainability concept as we know it today only dates back to less than 35 years ago when it appeared for the first time in the famous Brundtland Report - ‘Our Common Future’ produced by several countries for the United Nations.

Before sustainability phrases like Gifford Pinchot’s ‘wise use’ and Aldo Leopold’s ‘land ethic’ in the 1930s and 1940s reflected more scientifically-based approaches to land and soil management.

Leopold tied science and morality more closely together with his ‘land ethic,’ but never used the word sustainability. Today, many believe much of the thinking in our modern sustainability movement is a reflection of his synthesis.

Leopold believed humans live in interconnected systems of soils, plants and animals through which energy flows.

This ’biotic pyramid’ showed that food chains direct energy upward, while death APRIL | MAY 2022

and decay moved it back down to the soil. He noted that southwest Wisconsin’s top soils were “slipping seaward.”

Like my friend, Leopold sounded the alarm on soil erosion and promoted control measures to keep it on the home farm for future generations.

According to experts in the field, “Sustainable agriculture is farming in sustainable ways - that meet society’s present food and textile needs, without compromising the ability for current or future generations to meet their needs.”

In addition, “Environmental sustainability occurs when natural resources are preserved.

Monocropping, pesticides and fertilizers, when used improperly, all deplete good soil. When that soil becomes sterile, it can no longer produce food.”

For years, my friend believed in buffer strips, cover crops, irrigating crops using runoff water and no-till planting. He described and pointed out strips of pollinator plants along previously bare fence lines.

To say the least, I was amazed to see firsthand his farming conservation practices were in place and working well. He told me, “Years ago, when we saw our topsoil ending up on our neighbor’s fields, we knew something needed to be done.”

So he found ways to trap spring water in a series of dams and settling ponds. Then the deposited topsoil was dried and spread back on his field. In addition, he recycled lost nutrients back to the fields by pumping and irrigating stored phosphorus laden water from the settling ponds on to emerging crops. Bonus nutrients were recycled in the process saving the cost of more fertilizer.

My friend was practicing sustainability long before it became a popular word for many things in our lives - economic, environmental and social.

“Saving the soil on my farm and for my children, and for future generations simply became my driving force. In the process my farm became more profitable and environmentally prosperous.”

Blomberg is a freelance writer and a member of the Portage County Farm Bureau. His books, "Up the Creek" and "Wisconsin Bird Hunting Tales and Letters from Art" are available at amazon.com. wfbf.com

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Farm Summit Brings Together Mental Health Advocates UW-Madison Division of Extension and the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection’s Farm Center, as partners on the Wisconsin Farm & Ranch Stress Assistance Network brought together individuals with an interest in rural mental health for The Summit: Farmer Stress and Mental Health in November. Wisconsin Farm Bureau was proud to sponsor and participate in this event.

The Summit’s purpose was to allow participants to connect with others who are doing similar work with rural mental health, learn from a variety of speakers who shared information about farm stress research, self-care and resources and then develop an action plan or next steps from what was learned at the event.

“We have four long-term goals for gathering people and organizations working in this area of farmer mental health and well-being,” said UW-Madison Division of Extension Dairy Agent for Marathon County and the chair of The Summit planning committee Heather Schlesser.

“We want to provide a space where everyone can learn about all the programs being offered, increase referrals between organizations, build collaboration to maximize resources and identify gaps of service within the state.

I feel The Summit was a great start on these goals and we look forward to continuing these conversations and actions.”

A follow-up meeting was held in February and focused on the key takeaways from the event. This included ways to share resources and provide outreach to farm supporters like lenders, veterinarians and other agricultural service providers. The group discussed ways to provide education to health care providers on best practices with their farming patients and how to engage all communities on mental health.

The collaborative group will continue the conversation about farmer mental health and well-being and there are plans for an in-person summit in the summer of 2022.

If you, or an organization you know provides mental health support for farmers and would like to connect to the Summit contact heather.schlesser@wisc.edu or call 715.261.1239.

Additional sponsors include Compeer Financial, DATCP, Wisconsin Farmers Union, Rural Resiliency project, Cultivating Resiliency and USDA/NIFA grant 2020-7002832728. Call the Wisconsin Farm Center at 800.942.2474 for more information.

WANT TO LEARN ABOUT WHAT OTHER ORGANIZATIONS ARE DOING ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH? VISIT HTTPS://BIT.LY/FWCDIRECTORY.

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WISCONSIN FARM BUREAU FEDERATION

Heroes of Hope

Heroes of Hope is an effort under the Farm NEIGHBORS HELPING NEIGHBORS Neighbors Care campaign focused on shedding light on rural heroes who have helped others through a tough time, i.e., helping harvesting crops while going through a tough time, providing positivity in their day-to-day careers, uplifting other farmers to get through a tough season, etc. The contest aims to identify those people who have helped to bring hope to farmers or businesses, either in large or small ways. Members of the agriculture community are encouraged to nominate individuals who have made an impact on the way they conduct business, both ordinarily and extraordinarily.

Heroes of Hope

Farm Neighbors Care was created by the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation, with help from other agriculture organizations, in the spring of 2019 to shed light on mental health in the farming community.

Key aspects of this program: • 91% of rural adults say mental health is important to them and their family.

• 31% of rural adults have personally sought help for a mental health condition, and 24% have a family member who has sought care for a mental health condition.

• A 2017 study revealed that farmers and ranchers had a suicide rate that was, on average, 3.5 times that of the general population.

• Farming can be an isolating career; the Farm Neighbors Care campaign asks rural residents to have face-to-face conversations with fellow farmers and agri-business owners, providing a dose of positivity to their day.

• Be a part of the solution and help end the stigma around mental health.

Heroes of Hope will recognize one grand prize winner and four runners-up with prize packages from local sponsors.

To nominate someone for this award, visit bit.ly/ HeroesofHope2022.

MEET THE FINALISTS FROM THE 2021 HEROES OF HOPE CAMPAIGN THAT WAS SPONSORED BY RURAL MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY, BLAIN’S FARM & FLEET, M.P.B. BUILDERS, INC., THE DOYLE AND KIM POKORNY FAMILY, WAUPUN AREA FFA AND KWIK TRIP.

ZENNER

SCHROEPFER

KUNZ

Justin Schroepfer of Langlade County was named Wisconsin Farm Bureau’s 2021 Hero of Hope.

SHANNON

Recognized as finalists were Melvin (MJ) Zenner of Taylor County, Duane “Dewey” Kunz of Eau Claire County, Kellie Zahn of Shawano County and Al Shannon of Dunn County.

Thank You!

ZAHN APRIL | MAY 2022

for making a difference in your community. wfbf.com

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Farm Bureau

Recipes courtesy of

Gleason Cattle Company Meats

Chad and Katrina Gleason from Shullsburg in Lafayette County own and operate Gleason Cattle Company Meats. Their business has grown from selling quarters in 2007 from their fourth-generation family feedlot to a diversified operation of beef, grass-fed beef, pork and lamb sold by individual cuts, quarters and halves.

They operate an on-farm store, attend five local farmers markets and have beef sticks in three local stores including Roelli Cheese Haus.

For more information find them online at: • Facebook.com/GleasonCattleCompany • Instagram @gleason.cattle.company

Green Chile Shredded Beef Ingredients

• 3-31/2 lb. chuck or arm roast • 10 oz. can green enchilada • enchilada sauce

• 1/2 c. beef broth • 2 cloves garlic, minced • 1 tsp. dried oregano

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. Trim excess fat from edges of beef. Place in a Dutch oven or roasting pan with lid.

Add remaining ingredients to pan with beef starting with spices.

3. Bake 3 to 4 hours or until meat starts to fall apart. Check occasionally to make sure all the moisture doesn’t evaporate, if it does add 1/2 c. water as needed.

4. W hen meat is done, place on a plate to cool until it can be handled, about 20

• 1 tsp. ground cumin • 1/2 tsp. salt • sprinkle of pepper

minutes. Shred beef and remove any extra fat or bones.

5. P lace back in the pan with juices and combine well. There should not be a large amount of liquid, just enough to create a sauce on the meat.

6. O nce it is heated through, serve either as a taco filling with cheese of choice or place in soft tortillas with cheese and roll them up and broil until golden brown like Chimichangas. Enjoy!

Italian Sausage Bow Tie Pasta Ingredients

• 12 oz. box bow tie pasta • 2 Tbsp. olive oil • 1 lb. Italian sausage, bulk or links with casing removed • 1/2 c. onion, diced • 4 cloves garlic, minced

Directions

1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil and cook pasta as directed until al dente.

Drain.

2. W hile pasta cooks, brown sausage in olive oil in a large skillet. Add onion and garlic. Cook until onion is softened.

3. Add tomatoes and heavy cream and heat

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• 28 oz. can Italian-style diced tomatoes, undrained • 11/2 c. heavy cream • 2 c. mozzarella cheese, shredded • Optional: sliced spinach, kale or zucchini to add color and vegetables until simmering and slightly thickened.

Add optional vegetables and cook for about 3 minutes.

4. Add cooked pasta and top with cheese.

5. C over the pan and allow the cheese to melt.

6. Enjoy with an Italian bread.

WISCONSIN FARM BUREAU FEDERATION

With Clara Hedrich

Get the Conversation Started with a ‘Meet Your Local Farmer’ Event

W

hen my husband Larry and I, along with four of our five adult children, were designing LaClare Family Creamery located in Malone, the consumer was the main focus.

Today’s consumer is removed from the farm three, four or even five generations. They don’t have the experience or background to connect with their food supply.

They don’t know of anyone who owns a farm that they could take their children to touch a cow or hold a baby goat.

Thus, LaClare is a one-of-a-kind, vertically integrated agricultural business. Our visitors see where the dairy goat milk was produced and then can see directly into the plant to view the chevre (cheese made from goat milk) production. They can see the packaging of the final cheese products and then sample those items in the retail store.

We also offer the experience to try our cheese products through entrees from the on-site café.

Consumers take advantage of the many on-site educational opportunities. Connecting the story line from farming to food is critical for the future of agriculture.

For 39 years, I taught high school agriculture and plan and present events and tours at LaClare Family Creamery. What I have learned from today’s consumer is they are looking for an experience. They want to be engaged with their food source. They want to meet the people who produce their food.

Consumers want transparency.

Research done by The Center for Food Integrity shows that consumers want to know you are like them. Do you value safe food, protect the environment, raise animals humanely and treat workers fairly? These are things they care about too. Thus, incorporating shared values in our communication is three to five times more important to earning trust than sharing facts, science and data.

When I am speaking with consumers I try to find out who they are and what their value system is. The key is to relate to them. My goal is to educate them about goat milk, goat milk products and the dairy goat industry but I intertwine my facts with personal stories and a bit of humor. Consumers will remember the story longer than facts and figures.

With the above information in mind, for the past six years, Calumet County Farm Bureau has planned and hosted ‘Meet Your Local Farmer Day’ from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the fourth Saturday in April. It’s a day where a handful of farms invite people out to learn more about what they do.

We encourage other counties to host a ‘Meet Your Local Farmer Day’ to give consumers an experience with agriculture.

Some things to consider when planning the day are: • The number of farms. We have four or five farms.

• The location of the farms. Choose them in the same area of the county for ease.

• There is no set pattern that consumers have to visit the farms. They can visit one farm or all the farms.

• Diversity of farming practices. This year we have a cow dairy, a goat dairy, a hydroponic greenhouse and a beef farm that will have multi-species of animals.

• Multi-generational, if possible.

• Personality of the farmers. Their ability and willingness to speak with consumers. If they need additional people on the farm that day to help with greeting the consumer, other Farm Bureau members could volunteer.

• Clean, neat, organized farms. If the farms need help with this, Farm Bureau members can volunteer their time.

Remember some visitors will have no experience in farming and they are equating the farm site with their food.

If you have questions about planning a county ‘Meet Your Local Farmer Day,’ please contact me at clara@laclarefarms.com.

Clara Hedrich is the District 6 representative on the WFBF Promotion and Education Committee. Clara, along with her husband and four of their five adult children, founded LaClare Family Creamery in Malone specializing in goat milk cheeses.

The Promotion and Education Committee is a dynamic group of Farm Bureau leaders who develop, implement and promote programs that build agricultural awareness and provide leadership development to the agricultural community.

APRIL | MAY 2022

Promotion and Education Program

wfbf.com

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FARM KIDS

Jade Silverthorn, Omro

Kori Blank, Cashton

Paige Gunderson, Clear Lake

Lauren VandenLangenberg, Bonduel

Kesler Family Farm, Hilbert

Shannon Ehmke, Hartford

Valerie Baumgart, New London

Juli Cooper, DeForest

Kelly Oudenhoven, De Pere

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 at 300 dpi) to Lsiekmann@wfbf.com. Due to the high volume of photos we receive, we are unable to publish every photo. Photos sent in may be used in other WFBF publications.

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WISCONSIN FARM BUREAU FEDERATION

APRIL | MAY 2022

wfbf.com

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SHARE A PHOTO OF YOUR FARM DOG FOR A CHANCE TO BE FEATURED IN A FUTURE RURAL ROUTE Email your photos to Lsiekmann@wfbf.com.

APRIL | MAY 2022

wfbf.com

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AG IN THE CLASSROOM

Grants Awarded to Fund Ag Literacy Projects T

he Wisconsin Farm Bureau Foundation’s Ag in the Classroom program has awarded $6,000 to schools and organizations to expand agricultural literacy. Groups, schools

and organizations can apply for up to $500 as part of the Ag in the Classroom’s matching grant program to support a project, provided they have a source of matching funds.

2022 RECIPIENTS Building a Food Forest, Independence – Growing Garlic: $500 ‘Building a Food Forest’ is an educational and active learning program for 4K-12th-grade students in the Independence School District. This program will create meaningful agricultural experiences to help improve the well-being of individuals by teaching students how to grow and harvest garlic.

Green Bay Area Public School, Elmore Elementary, Green Bay – Intro to Agriculture: $500 The introduction to agriculture will provide an agriculture foundation for urban youth in Green Bay who will have the opportunity to experience agriculture through books, experiments and hands-on projects.

Dodge County Dairy Promotion, Neosho – My Little Ag Library: $500 The My Little Ag Library project will bring quality agriculture books to fourth-grade classrooms. Each library will be stocked with different books representing all commodities in Wisconsin.

Green Bay East High School FFA Alumni, Green Bay – Ag Unites Us All Summer School Program: $500 Ag Unites Us All summer school program will help students in an urban community learn about agriculture and where their food comes from. Students will participate in a variety of handson activities that will teach them about aspects of agriculture.

Easter Seals Wisconsin, Madison – ESW FARM Exploring Job Options in Rural Wisconsin: $500 Easter Seals Wisconsin’s Exploring Job Options in Rural Wisconsin Program will allow students to think outside the box. Our mission is to educate students with disabilities about the vast agricultural career opportunities in Wisconsin. These classes will encourage students to see how their own interests could potentially fit in the agricultural industry. An education in agriculture fuels Wisconsin’s biggest employer and largest industry.

Envision Greater Fond du Lac Agri-Business Council, Fond du Lac – Day on the Farm: $500 In May 2022, hundreds of kindergarten and first-grade students from Fond du Lac County will experience what happens on a Wisconsin farm. Students will interact virtually with high school students and will have access to farm animals, view what the animals eat and see how animals are cared for. As a token for participating in Day on the Farm, students will receive educational resource packets to share with others.

Girl Scout Troop 6217, Ripon – Student Farm Tours: $500 Students will participate in farm tours to help build awareness of the agriculture industry, make connections within STEM and discover career opportunities within agriculture.

Luck FFA Chapter, Luck – Luck Pollination Station: $500 The Pollination Station project will be not only to plan a new pollinator garden to bring in native pollinators but to restore the two pollinator gardens that are currently on school property.

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St. Mary School Garden, Muscoda – Plant Diversity-Companion Planting: $500 The St. Mary School Garden is going to teach students about regenerative agriculture principles and practices. Students will focus on incorporating three regenerative ag practices of increasing plant diversity, using cover crops and minimizing disturbances to the soil.

Virtual Academy of Agriculture, Science and Technology, Sharon – Growing Aeroponically in the Classroom: $500 This project is taking growing plants to a whole new level. With a tower garden growing system, students will be able to grow plants year-round without soil using the growing technique of aeroponics.

Walworth County Fair Barnyard Adventure, Elkhorn – Historic Gardens: $500 The 173rd Walworth County Fair in Elkhorn in early September is ‘ag-cited’ to present its award-winning agriculture education program, Barnyard Adventure, highlighting its new feature, ‘Historic Gardens in the Barnyard Adventure Barn. Fair guests will be inspired by viewing six new gardens featuring vegetables, flowers and herbs.

Yahara Valley Elementary School, Edgerton – Raised Garden Bed: $500 Yahara Valley Elementary students will use the raised garden beds purchased with funds from this grant to grow vegetables with short growing seasons, giving students hands-on experiences with planting and maintaining their own crops.

WISCONSIN FARM BUREAU FEDERATION

Foundation for Agriculture Awards More Than $25,000 in Ag Literacy Grants, Scholarships “I’m looking forward to T

he American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture is celebrating and uplifting outstanding agricultural literacy programs with a total of $26,000 in scholarships and grants to help educators, volunteers and communities connect agriculture to students’ daily lives.

The Foundation sponsors the scholarships and grants in cooperation with the American Farm Bureau Women’s Leadership Committee through the White-Reinhardt Fund for Education.

“It’s exciting to see the many ways educators are innovating to bring agriculture to life and inspire students to learn more about where their food comes from,” said Daniel Meloy, executive director of the Foundation. “The teachers and volunteers leading these programs also are playing a vital role in helping students understand how they can be involved in agriculture now and in the future.”

The Foundation awarded 10 teachers and classroom volunteers with $1,500 scholarships to attend the National Ag in the Classroom Conference from June 28-July 1 in Saratoga Springs, New York.

This year’s recipients included two Wisconsin educators: • Jessica Brogley, the School of Education at UW-Platteville, Platteville • Catherine Agnew, Nathan Hale High School, West Allis The conference helps educators learn how to incorporate real-life agricultural applications into science, social studies, language arts, math and nutrition lessons.

Scholarship recipients were judged on their past use of innovative programs to educate students about agriculture as well as plans to implement information gained at the National Agriculture in the Classroom Conference in their own lesson plans and share the information with other teachers and volunteer educators.

The White-Reinhardt Fund for Education honors two former Women’s Leadership Committee hair, Berta White and Linda Reinhardt, who were trailblazers in early national efforts to expand the outreach of agricultural education and improve agricultural literacy.

For more information about the scholarships and grants, visit agfoundation.org/projects/agscholarships.

APRIL | MAY 2022

gathering great ideas to bring back to Grant County, and I’m very thankful for the financial support and faith in my leadership. I can’t wait to learn and network.”

- Jessica Brogley, part of the Academic Staff in the University of WisconsinPlatteville School of Education

“Our district just started offering agriculture as a course last year. Although I know quite a bit about dairy and some crops since I grew up on a farm and still work on the family farm, there is a lot that I don’t know. I’m really excited to find out more ways to bring agriculture into my very urban district and classroom and to connect with teachers from around the country to get their expertise about agriculture in their area of the country.”

- Catherine Agnew, a teacher at Nathan Hale High School in West Allis

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FOUNDATION

Support the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Foundation for Farming’s Future T he Wisconsin Farm Bureau Foundation was established in 1988 to provide support for agricultural education and leadership programs. Through donations and other contributions, the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Foundation invests time and resources to support the next generation of agriculturists. As a 501(c)3 organization, your donations are tax deductible.

Did you know that the $5 that you contribute when you renew your membership goes to programs like these?

Promotion and Education

Young Farmer and Agriculturist

Collegiate Farm Bureau

Leadership Institute

Ag in the Classroom

Thank You to the Following WFB Foundation Donors: • • • •

Ross and Marcy Bishop in memory of Dan Poulson Dave Kruschke in memory of Allen Wienke Dave Kruschke in memory of June Brosi Dunn County Farm Bureau in memory of Leverne Ausman

About the

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(Donations were made between Jan. 25 and March 30, 2022.)

• Oconto County Farm Bureau in memory of Maryann Monette • St. Croix County Farm Bureau in memory of Allen Wienke • Joe and Rosie Lisowe

The Wisconsin Farm Bureau Foundation was established in 1988 to provide support for agricultural education and leadership programs. Through donations and other contributions, the foundation invests time and resources to support the next generation of agriculturists.

WISCONSIN FARM BUREAU FEDERATION

RURAL MUTUAL

Rural Mutual Recognizes Top Agents From 2021 O n Feb.18, Rural Mutual Insurance management recognized its 2021 top producing agents at the Honors and Awards Banquet.

Jenni Zinda-Mancl (Stevens Point, Lake & Woods District) was named Rural Mutual’s Agent of the Year.

Cheyne Count (Elkhorn, Badgerland District) was named Rookie of the Year.

The District of the Year honor went to the Lake & Woods District, managed by Dave Meihak.

Jenni Zinda-Mancl also was recognized as the Company Top Performer in Commercial Lines and Farm Lines.

Jacob Shropshire (Columbus, Capitol District) was the Company Top Performer in Personal Lines.

Mathew Immel (Fond du Lac, Big Lakes District) was the Company Top Performer in Life Lines.

Zinda-Mancl

Count

Congratulations to all Rural Mutual Insurance agents on an outstanding year.

Meihak

Shropshire

Immel

Rural Mutual Declares 5% Farm Dividend for Sixth Year $15 Million Given Back to Farm Policyholders Through Dividend Program

F

or the sixth year in a row since Rural Mutual Insurance established the first-of-its-kind Farm Dividend Program, the company’s Board of Directors declared a 5% dividend on all eligible farm policies for 2021 farm policyholders.

During the past six years, Rural Mutual has paid out more than $15 million to Wisconsin farmers as part of this program.

Based on the company’s positive operating results, an estimated $2.8 million will be paid out in 2022 upon the farm policy renewal. Farmers started to receive dividend checks in February.

“We are grateful to be in a strong financial position that we are able to give back to our Wisconsin farmers,” said Executive Vice President and CEO of Rural Mutual Insurance Dan Merk.

APRIL | MAY 2022

"We recognize their dedication to agriculture and their loyalty to Rural Mutual. We wouldn’t be who we are today without them, and this is one way we can show our appreciation.”

In 2017, Rural Mutual Insurance became the first Wisconsin based insurance company to offer its farm policyholders a dividend. The Farm Dividend is one of the ways Rural Mutual continues to support their farm policyholders. It also reinforces the strong relationship with the Wisconsin Farm Bureau.

Rural Mutual is the number one writer of farm insurance in Wisconsin. The company was founded by farmers to better understand farmers’ unique insurance needs, no matter the size of the farm operation. Rural Mutual is a single-state insurer, so local agents’ knowledge is specific to Wisconsin.

Its farm coverage options include home and personal items, farm buildings, vehicles, farm personal property and workers’ compensation for farm employees.

For more information, please reach out to a Rural Mutual agent, or visit RuralMutual.com/farmdividend. wfbf.com

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RURAL MUTUAL

Seven Myths About Life Insurance Busted W

hen it comes to protecting your family, finding the right strategies to prepare for the unexpected is an important step.

Life insurance is a big part of creating a strong financial future. From deciding which type of policy fits your needs to how much coverage to buy, purchasing life insurance can feel overwhelming.

Additionally, the many myths can add confusion to the process and ultimately prevent people from getting the coverage needed to protect their families’ financial futures. It’s important to recognize the myths and know the truth before making a decision to purchase or not purchase coverage.

Myth No. 5: The Life Insurance I Purchase at Work Is Enough BUSTED: Any type or amount of coverage is a great start.

Especially if your employer provides it at no cost or a low cost; however, it likely isn’t enough coverage. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median life insurance coverage provided by an employer is either a flat $20,000 or one years salary. Would that be enough for your loved ones not to struggle financially? For many the answer is no. The Barometer Study found 42% of families would experience financial hardship within six months of a wage earner’s passing.

Having an individual policy in addition to your work provided coverage, also guarantees you will continue to have life insurance coverage even if you change jobs. Employer provided policies may not be portable.

Myth No. 1: Life Insurance is Too Expensive BUSTED: According to the 2021 Insurance Barometer Study

by LIMRA and Life Happens, more than half of Americans overestimate the price of life insurance by as much as three times the actual cost, and 44% of millennials overestimate the cost by six times.

The truth is life insurance is typically less expensive when purchased when you’re young and healthy. Term Life insurance is generally an inexpensive option. You may be able to lock in the coverage you need for as little as a dollar a day.

Myth No. 6: Life Insurance Is Only Used for the Death Benefit BUSTED: It’s common to think of a life insurance policy as only paying out a death benefit but some policies offer ways you can use your coverage while you’re still living: • The cash value from a permanent life insurance policy can provide supplemental income for retirement.

• By adding the Daily Living Rider to your term or permanent policy, you can access part of your policy’s death benefit should you become chronically ill.

Myth No. 2: Only Families with Young Children Need It BUSTED: Life insurance can be the foundation of financial security for your family or business – at any stage of life.

Proceeds from a life insurance policy can help cover outstanding debt, like a mortgage and credit cards, or fund financial objectives, including retirement or college savings.

Myth No. 7: It’s Too Difficult to Buy Life Insurance BUSTED: The Barometer Study found nearly half of consumers said they were more likely to purchase life insurance with simplified underwriting, and more than half said the possibility of not seeing a doctor or going through a paramedical exam was appealing.

And with accelerated underwriting if you’re 18 to 60 years old and applying for coverage up to $500,000, you may qualify to skip the medical exam and testing.

Myth No. 3: Children Don’t Need Life Insurance BUSTED: With bright futures ahead, you want to be sure your children are prepared to create a strong foundation for the future. Buying life insurance for children now, while they’re young and healthy has several benefits. First, it can help guarantee their insurability to ensure they will have coverage as an adult, even if they become uninsurable. Second, it can help save on premiums. Third, certain policies like a permanent life policy, builds a cash value that can be used later to help pay for college tuition, a down payment on a house, etc.

Myth No. 4: I’m Young and Healthy and Don’t Need It Right Now BUSTED: Buying life insurance when you’re young and healthy is best. You can benefit from lower rates and also ensure that you have the coverage — and financial security — you need for the long haul. Purchasing coverage while you’re young can help you gain guaranteed insurability for when you’re older.

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Are You Protected?

Don’t let these myths keep you from not having the coverage you need to protect yourself and your loved ones. Contact your local Rural Mutual agent today to help create a solid financial foundation.

Connect with Rural Mutual Insurance @RuralMutual @RuralMutual @Rural.Mutual @Rural Mutual Insurance Company www.RuralMutual.com WISCONSIN FARM BUREAU FEDERATION