BE A PIECE OF THE PUZZLE

Who signed you up as a member? I actually signed myself up as a member. I was active at the collegiate level and took a year off after college to figure out what county I would be living in. As soon as I moved back to Jackson County, I joined the board of directors. What convinced you to join? I had a lot of fun being a part of the UW-River Falls Collegiate Farm Bureau and I wanted to be a part of my county’s Farm Bureau after college. I love meeting new people and being a voice for farmers. What has been the biggest benefit that you have realized from your membership? The biggest benefit that I have gained from my membership is life-long friends. I would have never met some of my best friends if it wasn’t for Wisconsin Farm Bureau. Savannah Brown Jackson County

Who signed you up as a member? Rick Althaus What did they say about Farm Bureau when they asked you? He asked if I wanted to get involved with the YFA program and come to a discussion meet. What convinced you to say yes? He was persistent and I told him no twice. They say the third time is a charm; this rang true for me as I finally caved and said yes. Looking back, it was one of the best decisions of my life as I have been a member for 12 years. What has been the biggest benefit that you have realized from your membership? Hands down, the connections and friends I made. I eagerly look forward to the WFBF Annual Meeting every year to see everyone again. I have been a member of several organizations and no one treats you as well and offers value more than Farm Bureau. Katie Roth Grant County

Wisconsin Farm Bureau has kicked-off a new membership campaign. The purpose of the campaign is to engage as many volunteers as possible in the 2019-2020 membership year by asking them to pledge contact at least one person they know and sign them up as a new Farm Bureau member by March 31. The campaign officially kicked off in October.

Who signed you up as a member? My Rural Mutual Insurance agent What did they say about Farm Bureau when they asked you? It was many years ago. I had to be a Farm Bureau member in order to get insurance. What convinced you to say yes? I said yes because my dad had been a Farm Bureau member for years and figured it was a good organization to belong to. What has been the biggest benefit that you have realized from your membership? The biggest benefit, probably knowing you have a voice and Ag Day at the Capitol is really a nice and easy way to talk to our legislators. Pete Badtke Green Lake County

Who signed you up as a member?Doug Rebout What did they say about Farm Bureau when they asked you? Although I don’t remember everything he said, I remember Doug telling me about the variety of opportunities within the YFA program and that I could be involved as little or as much as I would like. What convinced you to say yes? I was asked to join so many times I just wanted to not be asked again. Hindsight, I should have said yes the first time. I have benefited from the opportunities that Farm Bureau has given me. What has been the biggest benefit that you have realized from your membership? The biggest benefit that I have received from my membership has been the growth of my network and expanding my leadership skills. I’ve been able to meet and foster friendships with people around the state who I wouldn’t have met otherwise. Being able to connect and discuss issues that affect our farms and livelihoods and ultimately have a larger impact on policy. Jill Uhe Rock County

Wisconsin Ag Open WE HOPE YOU CAN JOIN US FOR THE

23 RD ANNUAL GOLF OUTING FUNDRAISER

09 15 2020 The Wisconsin Ag Open raises funds to support agricultural education and leadership programs through the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Foundation. This year’s event is Tuesday, September 15, at The Oaks Golf Course in Cottage Grove.

Thanks to the generous support of sponsors and golfers, last year’s event raised more than $9,600 for the Foundation. The Wisconsin Ag Open begins at 10:30 a.m. with an awards program, appetizers and prizes afterward. Registration is $150 and includes 18 holes of golf with a cart, box lunch, appetizers and entry into a door prize drawing. The field is limited to 144 golfers.

Derek Orth, Fennimore

Becky Wellnitz, Brodhead

Bev Brey, Greenwood Carla Byrne, Neillsville Krista Hesprich, Mukwonago

Stan Kaczmarek, Green Bay

Gretchen Kamps, Belmont

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, 4x6 inches 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.

Nikki Cramer, Juda

Scott Sturkol, Monroe

Alissa Grenawalt, Beloit

Rebecca Hilby, Hazel Green

FEBRUARY | MARCH 2020 Kaitlyn Huber, Merrillan @farmrunfarm; Kieler Farms, Inc., Platteville

Krista Dolan, Dodgeville

Raven DeLange, Elkhorn

Adams County - Ag "Out" of the Classroom Rusk County - Member Testimonials

Adams County participated in its annual Ag “Out” of the Classroom by making Christmas wreaths with local 4-H clubs and girl scout groups at an area Christmas tree farm.

Winnebago County - Cookies and Milk

In January, Rusk County Farm Bureau members (from left): Terry DuSell and Paul Hetke went to Madison to testify in support of Senate Bill 628, Wildlife Damage Abatement Program.

Shawano County - 4-H Super Saturday

Winnebago County sponsored a 'cookies and milk' event in Oshkosh during the annual Christmas Celebration of Lights event.

District 4 - Cows 'n Plow

In January, the Shawano County Farm Bureau women's committee sponsored 4-H Super Saturday. At the event students made ice cream and fruit pizza.

Sixteen Farm Bureau members participated in the District 4 YFA Cows ‘n Plows Bus Tour on January 24. Members first toured the John Deere Historic Site in Grand Detour, Illinois, where they learned about the early beginnings of the John Deere Company and witnessed a blacksmith demonstration. They then traveled to Monticello to Voegeli Farms, Inc, where they toured the family’s dairy farm, learned about the high-genetic herd of Brown Swiss cows, and tasted Yodelay yogurt, which is made of their milk. Finally, members participated in a tour and tasting at New Glarus Brewing Company in New Glarus. The trip was sponsored by the YFA committees in Buffalo, Eau Claire, Jackson, Monroe and Trempealeau County Farm Bureaus, Rural Mutual Insurance agent Emily Kaltenberg and Kwik Trip of Black River Falls.