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.

Jefferson County Farm Tour

The 28th Annual Jefferson County fourth grade farm tour was held on May 3. The event hosted 24 public schools and two home school groups with 767 students, 41 teachers and 150 adult chaperons. Students visited 11 different agricultural stations at 10-minute intervals. Lunch was provided and each teacher received the Wisconsin Ag in the Classroom 2023 Book of the Year, “Tales of the Dairy Godmother – Chuck’s Ice Cream Wish”. Since its inception, the farm tour has hosted 16,984 students and 2,708 adults.

Eau Claire County Trees, Bees and Cheese Celebration

Eau Claire County Farm Bureau celebrated National Pollinator Week and June Dairy Month by sponsoring an information booth at the First Annual Trees, Bees and Cheese celebration on June 22 at Beaver Creek Reserve in Fall Creek. The activity included various booths by pollinator supporters including Department of Natural Resources, The Prairie Enthusiasts, Trout Unlimited and the Natural Resource Conservation Service. Participants were given more than 90 minutes to visit the booths, one hour of a landowner panel discussion and a pollinator habitat field tour. More than 90 people participated in the event.

Marquette County Dairy Parade Float

The Marquette County Promotion and Education committee organized a float for the Westfield Dairy Delicious parade held on June 10. The committee made an agriculturalrelated float and handed out string cheese to parade attendees.

Columbia County Moo Day Brunch

On June 17, Columbia County Farm Bureau held a milk tasting at the Columbia County Moo Day Brunch. More than 100 people stopped to try different beverages including 2%, lactose free milk, 2% milk and A2 milk, along with almond and oat beverages. Overall, there was a friendly audience and some good questions. People were intrigued by the A2 milk. This was a great opportunity to help educate the public about the difference between milk and other beverages.

Manitowoc County EMS Training

Manitowoc County Farm Bureau provided area Fire and EMS personnel with safety training on several agricultural hazards on May 20. Training was provided by Northeast Wisconsin Technical College for more than six area volunteer fire departments.

Marinette County Farm to Table Promotion

Marinette County Farm Bureau created a Farm to Table locations poster with a list of local farms that direct market product to consumers from their farms in the county to display at the Marinette County Breakfast on the Farm on June 25. The poster will the year.

District 8 Farm Neighbors Care Project

Since 2019, the county Farm Bureaus in District 8 have partnered with Zinda Insurance Group to deliver more than 400 care packages to farmers throughout the area. The goal of this project is to thank hard-working farmers for all they do and to let them know that their local Farm Bureau and Rural Mutual Insurance agents are here for them. This year the care packages included string cheese, chips, granola bars, water, water flavor packet, craisins, beef sticks, safety glasses and ear plugs, along with heart health information courtesy of Aspirus Hospital.

Rock County Spring Planting Tour

Dunn County Farm Night at the Speedway

On June 2, Dunn County Farm Bureau partnered with Advanced Dairy, Dunn County Dairy Promotion, Kitchner Farms, and 715 Ag Supply and Grain Storage Systems to kick off June Dairy Month with Farm Night at the Red Cedar Speedway in Menomonie. Winners in each feature class took home a custom milk can trophy.

Langlade County Music in the Park

On June 5, Langlade County Farm Bureau supplied a meal and refreshments for about 500 community members who attended the Music in the Park series that night in Antigo. The successful event served not only as a fundraiser but also as a beef promotion opportunity.

District 8 Pollinator Kit Project

Rock County Farm Bureau held its inaugural spring planting tour for WFBF staff members and Rural Mutual agents on May 11. Participating staff members and agents toured farms on both the east and west sides of the county and had an opportunity to ride along on a soybean planter. The purpose of the event was to provide new WFBF staff members and Rural agents with an opportunity to experience the farm firsthand and to develop relationships with Farm Bureau members.

Waupaca County FFA Listening Session

Waupaca County Farm Bureau held a special meeting with the New London FFA to give the FFA members a chance to practice their interactive competition presentation prior to the Wisconsin State FFA Convention. The New London FFA students won the state competition and are headed to compete on the national level.

Through a partnership with Gather Wisconsin, pollinator kits were recently distributed to county Farm Bureaus in District 8 to provide information to consumers and sustainability in agriculture at local events. The kits included a supply of custom bookmarks with the Gather Wisconsin logo and website and an assortment of wildflowers. Children were encouraged to answer questions about pollinators prior to filling their baggy with potting soil, a compostable pot and their bookmark.

Sauk County Wisco Wine and Cheese

On June 15, Sauk County Farm Bureau's Promotion and Education committee partnered with Balanced Rock Winery in Baraboo to host Wisco Wine and Cheese. The event was open to the public and featured Sauk County cheesemakers Carr Valley and Cedar Grove, wine from the host venue and sausage from local Farm Bureau member Wilkinson Farm. The event featured unique cheeses such as butterkase, havarti and fontina to give participants a glimpse into the variety of cheeses produced within the county. As the inaugural event, it was a success with 50 participants, mostly general consumers without a direct connection to agriculture. It was a great way to celebrate June Dairy Month and enjoy delicious Wisconsin cheese.