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WFBF Members Host Women for Trump Tour

On July 10, Outagamie County Farm Bureau members Keith and Kelly Oudenhoven hosted the Women for Trump Tour on their family's farm, Larrand Dairy, in De Pere. "It was truly a once in a lifetime opportunity to have these women tour our farm and listen to the challenges we face and the policy solutions we would like to see implemented," said Kelly. "We are so proud of the work we do and it feels good to know the campaign staff recognize the important role we, as farmers, play in the economy."

The women on the tour were Mercedes Schlapp, Trump campaign senior adviser for strategic communications; Katrina Pierson, Trump campaign senior adviser; Pam Bondi, the national co-chair for Women for Trump; and Penny Nance, a member of the Women for Trump advisory board.

The stop at Larrand Dairy started with a round table discussion between the Oudenhoven family and Women for Trump representatives. The Oudenhovens talked about challenges accessing and attracting labor, supply chain Keith's parents Larry and Joan Oudenhoven. Keith and Kelly complications that surfaced early in the COVID-19 pandemic are the fourth generation on the farm and hope to one day pass and the importance of trade. Kelly serves as the WFBF Young the farm onto their children as the fifth generation. Farmer and Agriculturist Committee chair and was also able The Women for Trump bus tour was a three-day event in to touch on the challenges and opportunities young people in Wisconsin beginning July 9 with a round table discussion in agriculture face. Port Washington followed by the Oudenhoven farm tour and

Larrand Dairy is home to 375 milking cows and is owned by wrapped up July 11 at the Wisconsin Republican Convention.

WFBF Members Participate in USMCA Round Table

On July 17, Vice President Mike Pence conducted a United States-MexicoCanada Agreement round-table discussion at Morning Star Dairy in Onalaska. Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation members Todd Servais and state Representative Tony Kurtz joined five other farmers in talking with the Vice President. "It was very encouraging to talk to Vice President Pence about continuing our fifth-generation dairy farm by improving The panel addressed the need for fair trade for American trade and infrastructure to better move our products," said La farmers to compete in the global economy, the impact of tariffs Crosse County Farm Bureau member Todd Servais. on commodity markets and improving markets amidst the

Serving on the panel were Todd Servais, John and Barbara COVID-19 pandemic. Schaller, Karla Dummer, Patrick McHugh, state Representative Prior to the USMCA round-table event, Vice President Pence Tony Kurtz and Cameron Schaller. spoke at Ripon college.

WFBF Adds Yamaha Discount to Member Benefit Lineup

Wisconsin Farm Bureau is excited to announce a new partnership with Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA, to offer members a special discount.

WFBF members can receive $250 off the purchase of a new Yamaha 4WD ATV, side-by-side or snowmobile. "It is exciting to add another money-saving member benefit to our already robust lineup," said WFBF President Joe Bragger.

"We are thrilled to announce this new partnership."

For more information about this benefit or to learn more about other discounts and incentives, visit wfbf.com/ membership/member-benefits.

*Program excludes all youth models. **You must be a paid Wisconsin Farm Bureau member at the time of purchase to receive the $250 factory direct rebate. ***You will need your Farm Bureau membership number to complete the form.

NEWS

Farm Center Offers 24/7 Hotline in New Pilot Program

As of July 1, Wisconsin anxiety. To listen to the farmers facing podcast, visit FarmCenter. increased stress and wi.gov. Throughout the other challenges can summer and into fall, access additional free and the Farm Center will be confidential counseling hosting QPR trainings resources by contacting (Question-Persuade-Refer) the Farm Center at the for people who work closely Wisconsin Department with farmers, so they can of Agriculture, Trade and learn how to identify the Consumer Protection. warning signs of a suicide

As part of a new pilot crisis and direct the person program, the Farm Center to appropriate resources. can now connect callers to Since the mid-1980s, the a 24/7 Farmer Wellness Hotline. The hotline can be reached at Farm Center, part of the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, 888.901.2558. Licensed mental health professionals contracted Trade and Consumer Protection, has provided a variety of by the department will provide immediate, in-the-moment care. farmer services including financial and business consultation,

In addition to the 24/7 hotline, long-term options are farm succession planning, conflict mediation and consultation available: related to production opportunities and challenges. For more

Callers can schedule ongoing tele-health counseling sessions information, contact FarmCenter@wisconsin.gov. from a contracted licensed counselorbased in Wisconsin, with referrals made through the 24/7 hotline or through the Wisconsin Farm Center (800.942.2474).

Persons who prefer an in-person session can request to meet with a local provider through the Farm Center's longstanding Counseling Voucher Program. "The 24/7 Farmer Counseling Hotline is available around the clock as a welcoming ear for farmers who need to talk through a challenging time in their life," said Farm Center Director Jayne Krull. "We hope that this initial pilot program will help us better understand whether a 24/7 hotline and tele-counseling are viable tools for our farmers with mental health needs."

This pilot program is made possible by funding that was provided in Gov. Tony Evers' 2019-2021 biennial budget and approved by the state legislature. The 24/7 hotline and tele-counseling services are two of several initiatives developed by the Farm Center in response to increased challenges faced by the agricultural industry.

In June, the Farm Center launched 'Rural Realities,' a podcast offering advice to farmers and farm service providers about managing stress and

Food and Farm Support Fund Grows with New Partner

Rural Mutual Insurance and Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation announced that the Wisconsin Beef Council will join them as a partner in raising money and awareness for the Wisconsin Food and Farm Support Fund.

Through this partnership, a donation of more than 10,000 pounds of ground beef will be coordinated through American Foods Group and will be distributed to Feeding Wisconsin food banks across the state.

Together, with generous donations from employees, the public, corporate sponsors and Rural Mutual Insurance agents, the fund has raised nearly $50,000 to help support Feeding Wisconsin and Harvest of Hope. "Feeding Wisconsin and our network of food banks is grateful for the support of this growing partnership and the generous community giving that we've seen," said Feeding Wisconsin Executive Director Stephanie Jung Dorfman. "At a time when we are seeing an increased demand for our services and our food banks are purchasing more food than ever before, these funds are enabling us to source great Wisconsin products to distribute to our friends and neighbors in need." food to more than 1,000 local food programs in all 72 counties "We are proud to support the Wisconsin Beef Council of the state. and their efforts to support the state's farmers and Feeding Wisconsin Farm Bureau is focusing on collecting funds Wisconsin," said American Foods Group Fresh Meat Vice for Harvest of Hope, a farm family crisis relief fund that is President Mark Winter. "This donation will help neighbors in supported by the Madison Christian Community. Wisconsin need during these challenging times, and to support Wisconsin's farm families that are experiencing financial stress can fill out a cattle farmers who are working hard every day to ensure that short application requesting up to $1,500. their high quality, nutritious beef is readily available." Learn more about the Wisconsin Food and Farm Support

Rural Mutual Insurance is focusing on collecting funds Fund and how you can donate by visiting ruralmutual.com/ for Feeding Wisconsin. Feeding Wisconsin is the statewide about/donations or wfbf.com/wisconsin-food-and-farmassociation of the Feeding America food banks that provide support-fund.

Rural Mutual Insurance Company has been protecting Wisconsin for 85 years. As an AM Best A+ Superior company, Rural Mutual provides a full line of insurance products exclusively to families, businesses and farms in Wisconsin. The company is headquartered in Madison with more than 150 local agents across the state. For more information, visit RuralMutual.com.

Wisconsin Beef Council is a producer-directed not-for-profit organization funded by the $1 per head assessment on all cattle sold in the state of Wisconsin per the Federal Beef Promotion and Research Act & Order. The purpose of the Council is to fund beef promotion, research and consumer education activities supporting Wisconsin's beef industry. For more information, visit beeftips.com.

American Foods Group is one of the largest beef processing companies in the United States and employs more than 1,500 people locally. The AFG protein capabilities include beef in fresh, frozen, value-added and fully prepared formats; additionally, animal components for medical research. Based out of Green Bay, with locations throughout the Midwest, AFG is proud to be a trusted partner to their employees, customers, suppliers and communities. For more information, visit americanfoodsgroup.com.

Rural Mutual Insurance Company