WFBF QUILT

Recently, Rock County Farm Bureau member Ronna Morton-Ballmer finished a Farm Bureau-themed quilt that will adorn the WFBF office. About a year ago, Ronna was contacted to see if she would be interested in taking on the project for the Farm Bureau. "It's really been a pleasure to have this project entrusted in my hands," said Ronna, who has invested "somewhere between 50 and 100 hours into the quilt. I've worked on it, off and on, for more than six months."

Ronna uses combinations of color, texture and design, which were the basics of the home furnishings project area that she excelled in as a 4-H member and in 1976, attended the National 4-H Congress representing the area of home management. "I love to create and personalize each quilt--no two are alike," added Ronna. "I try to incorporate as many little things that will catch someone's eye and draw them into the quilt, using fabrics and patterns that tie into the theme and interests of the person, or group in this case."

Ronna added that she doesn't follow a pattern and that she enjoys seeing the completed project come together. "With quilts, you start small, with many unique pieces," said Ronna. "As the quilt comes together, larger pieces are formed and you see progress. It's so rewarding to see it come together in the end, a work of art."

As far as selecting the fabric for the Farm Bureau quilt, she knew the Farm Bureau colors were red, white and black so she started searching for farmthemed fabrics that were in that color scheme. "When I couldn't find official Farm Bureau fabric, I opted to center the quilt on agricultural products and themes that pertained to our beautiful and diverse state," explained Ronna. "I incorporated different products into the quilt, i.e., cows, pigs, chickens, barns, windmills, tractors, milk cans, eggs and crops, but I needed to stay within the color scheme, so it wasn't easy."

She added a bandana print, a woodgrain and other textures and found a red, black, gray and white panel print and coordinating tile-print fabric at Twin Turtle Quilts in Clinton with words and phrases that reflected the 'down-to-earth,' family-based, heart-of-the-home feel. "My hope was that it would draw people into the quilt and that they would connect with the rural roots and family feel

By Marian Viney

of the Farm Bureau organization," said Ronna and added that selecting just the right fabric is, "right up my alley."

She cut the panel print and used it to center the quilt and added a Farm Bureau t-shirt from her daughter's collection. She also added a centennial square to acknowledge Farm Bureau's 100-year mark. "It's been a pleasure to work on this project and I hope that the quilt will provide a backdrop and conversation piece at the Farm Bureau office once it reopens," said Ronna.

Sassy Farm Chicks in Orfordville, owned by two farm ladies, Rhonda Streich and Tina Wellnitz, used a computerized longarm quilter to add a farm-themed design with corn, tractors and cows once Ronna finished piecing the top.

After it was quilted, she added the rod pocket and binding.

Growing up on a dairy and crop farm southeast of Janesville, Ronna was a member of 4-H and FFA. She graduated from Clinton High School and attended UWMadison and graduated from Farm & Industry Short Course. She later returned to UWMadison, UW-Rock County and then earned her bachelor's degree from UW-Whitewater. For 25 years, Ronna was a sales manager for Tupperware, leading one of the top teams in the nation. She has served as a 4-H project leader for nearly three decades, serves as a judge at many fairs throughout Wisconsin and serves on the Rock County 4-H Fair Board. Ronna also is a substitute teacher for four school districts.

SPREAD MORE WITH THESE MEMBER BENEFITS

For complete details, visit wfbf.com/membership/member-benefits.

Farm Bureau members who are agricultural producers and patrons of their local FS cooperative are eligible to receive patronage when patronage is paid. Special member pricing and free shipping. Visit wfbf.com for more details.

Members receive an incentive discount ($300 to $500) when purchasing qualifying Case IH equipment from participating dealers.

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

Save up to 80% on Office Depot Preferred Products along with reduced prices on ink, paper, toner, stamps/daters, pens, pads, furniture and much more. Through an exclusive program offered by Yamaha Motor Corp., USA, Farm Bureau members receive a factory direct rebate of $250* on the purchase of a new *Yamaha 4WD ATV, Side-by-Side or Snowmobile. 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 are eligible for a complimentary John Deere Rewards upgrade (Platinum 1 status) – which unlocks the best loyalty rewards including valuable equipment discounts. Visit JohnDeere.com/FarmBureau today to register!

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.

Members qualify for a variety of discounts on new purchases. Visit wfbf.com to print your certificate and for details on models and discounts. You can get more information about the services Farm Bureau Financial offers from your local Rural Insurance agent. Learn more at fbfs.com.

Accidental Death Policy • AgriVisor • Life Line Screening • Avis • Budget • Ford • ScriptSave • $500 Reward Protection Program Choice Hotels • AgriPlan Medical Reimbursement Program • Office Depot • Wyndham Hotels & Resorts Visit wfbf.com to find out more about your membership benefits! *WFBF member benefits may be changed or discontinued at anytime without notice.*

MEMBERSHIP

Benefit From AgriVisor

Wisconsin Farm Bureau members can receive a 35 percent discount on daily grain, livestock and feed input marketing advice, as well as current market quotes and updates by using AgriVisor.

AgriVisor is a full-service agricultural advisory firm that offers a complete set of agriculture risk management tool and marketing services that are unique in the industry.

The following is an overview of services that AgriVisor's staff offers to help farmers manage risk: • AgriVisor's Market Information and Analysis: Through the cash strategist page offered in FARMWEEK and

Iowa Spokesman publications, DTN and Wisconsin Farm

Bureau 's Rural Route, AgriVisor staff continues to offer excellent reporting of news, analysis and broadly applicable recommendations that readers have relied on for 40 years. • Marketing Advice and Commentary: AgriVisor offers agricultural market updates three times each day. AgriVisor staff also offer daily fundamental and technical advice along

with broad recommendations for corn, soybeans, wheat, hogs and cattle. • Insight: A managed bushed program with pricing by experts by AgriVisor and participating analysts at

ProFarmer and Roach Ag. • Traditional Brokerage Services: Through the affiliation with MID-CO Commodities, AgriVisor offers full-service retail brokerage including frequent trade recommendations, market information and timely trade execution. • Crossover Solutions: Hybrid cash grain contracts with a participating grain elevator to help you diversify and manage risk effectively.

Farm Bureau members should go to agrivisor.com and click on E-Visor to sign up or call 800.676.5799 to learn more.