Rural Route October | November 2021

Rural Route WISCONSIN FARM BUREAU FEDERATION®'S

OCTOBER | NOVEMBER 2021 • VOL. 27 NO. 5 | WFBF.COM

Leaders of the Land: State Sustainability Series Page 6

Diverse Crops are the Focus on Marathon County Farm

Page 14

contents vol. 27 no. 5

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DIVERSE CROPS

Marathon County farmer focuses on crop diversity.

FINALISTS CHOSEN

Finalists selected for the YFA Discussion Meet and Excellence in Ag contests.

FARM BUREAU FLAVOR

YFA member Sara Menard Huber shares some favorite recipes.

MEMBER BENEFITS

Green Lake member saves money with Case IH discount.

VOICES

Columns from Krentz, Duvall and Setzer.

MENTAL HEALTH

Tips to destress and take care of yourself this harvest season.

PICTURE THIS

Grant County member shares her love for photography.

AG IN THE CLASSROOM

Essay contest winner received recognition from President Joe Biden.

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LEADERS OF THE LAND

Wisconsin Farm Bureau hosted a state sustainability series.

WISCONSIN AG OPEN

Another successful year for the annual golf outing benefiting the Foundation.

RURAL MUTUAL

Agents continue to give back to their local communities.

COVER PHOTO BY CASSIE SONNENTAG

ONLINE LIBRARY

Read our previous issues at wfbf.com/read.

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Rural Route WISCONSIN FARM BUREAU FEDERATION’S

EDITOR’S NOTE

H

arvest time is a special occasion.

If you are a farmer, it’s usually filled with long hours, hard work and a battle with Mother Nature and her curveballs.

If you are a young family, it can be about getting the kids settled into a new school year, picking pumpkins at the local patch or deciding everyone’s Halloween costumes.

Others spend this time of year seeking apple orchards or fall festivals. It’s also time for Oktoberfest celebrations and other heritage celebrations.

For a few, it might mean some favorite menu items are back like pumpkin spice lattes, pumpkin pie shakes or apple cider.

Others see it as a gateway to the holiday season. I’m going to stop there because I don’t want to get sidetracked with a rant on when it is OK to turn on the festive holiday music.

Regardless of what harvest time brings you, it tends to bring something. Whether you believe it or not, you get to decide what it brings you. No matter what breaks or how long of a day it turns into, you control your reactions and your attitude.

I know some days it’s easier said than done but take an extra second to soak in that dustcovered sunset, the deer and wildlife outside the window or meal in the field with friends, co-workers or family.

Don’t forget that you have control over your attitude and actions. Know that you aren’t alone in the challenges of life and it’s important to soak in the small moments.

In this issue, we have highlighted members who lead with their positivity and motivation to succeed.

Starting on page 6, you’ll meet some of the members who hosted the Leaders of the Land: State Sustainability Series. This initiative was new this year, but these members stepped up to share what they are doing on their farms to make them sustainable for years to come.

On page 14, you’ll meet Joe Heil who is a farmer in Marathon County. You’ll learn about the unique crops of ginseng and hemp.

Throughout the magazine, we have short member highlights. On page 25, learn more about Dave Wilke’s recent equipment purchase and how he saved money because of his Farm Bureau membership. You will get to know Sara Menard Huber from the Young Farmer and Agriculturist Committee on page 20. Also, YFA contest finalists and the collegiate Farm Bureau officer teams are finalized. Find that information on pages 18, 19 and 22 respectively.

I could go on about the members mentioned in this issue, but I will let you read about them yourself.

Enjoy this harvest season. Be safe, take care of yourself and don’t forget to enjoy the small things.

As always, thanks for reading.

Amy Eckelberg Rural Route Editor Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation

Editor Amy Eckelberg - 608.828.5706 Designer Lynn Siekmann - 608.828.5707 Contributors 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.demingway@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 Lynn Leahy, Plover (Promotion and Education Committee Chair) Emily Johnson, Orfordville (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

WFBF Celebrates a Successful Biennial Budget T

he 2021-2023 State Budget included many Wisconsin Farm Bureau budget priorities that staff worked to have included. This comparison chart highlights WFBF’s budget priorities and what was included in the 2021-2023 State Budget.

This budget included many agricultural provisions. 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.

Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation – 2021-2023 Biennial Budget Priorities

2021-2023 Biennial Budget Achievements

Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) •M aintain funding for Producer-led Watershed grant program – consider increasing grants to $1 mil/ann. ($2 mil/bien)

• Producer-led Watershed Grants: $1 mil/ann; $2 mil/bien

•M aintain funding and bonding for agricultural nonpoint source pollution program.

• Nonpoint funding maintained

• Increase exportation of dairy products.

• Agriculture Exports: $558,400 mil/ann; $1,116,800 mil/bien

• I ncrease funding of the Dairy Processor Grant program.

• Dairy Processor Grants: $400,000/ann; $800,000/bien

•M aintain current funding for County Land and Water Conservation staffing grants.

• Increase funding for County Land and Water Conservation staffing grants: $2 mil/FY22; 2.3 mil/FY23

• S upport funding for the expansion of local state-inspected meat processing plants.

• Meat Processor Grants: $200,000/ann; $400,000/bien Four Meat Inspector Positions

• Maintain funding for Farmer Mental Health Grants.

• Farmer Mental Health Grants: $100,000/ann; $200,000/bien

•P rovide funding to incentivize practices to protect groundwater This could include grants and funding for water stewardship certification, lake protection, soil and water conservation, or crop insurance premium rebates for cover crops.

Department of Natural Resources (DNR) • Maintain funding and bonding for agricultural nonpoint source pollution program.

• Nonpoint funding maintained

• Support increased funding for rural Well Testing and Remediation Grants.

• Well Compensation and Remediation Grants:$1 mil (one-time)

Department of Transportation (DOT)

• Support an increase for local road and bridge funding.

• 2% increase in general transportation aids; $100 mil in Local Roads Improvement Program funding for local government projects.

Public Service Commission • Support increased funding to expand broadband access and infrastructure.

• Broadband Grants: $129 mil

University of Wisconsin System • Maintain funding for the Dairy Innovation Hub.

• Dairy Innovation Hub: $7.8 mil/ann

• Support filling additional UW Extension State Specialist positions.

Also provide increased funding for these positions. ($2 mil/bien)

• Extension/CALS Research Specialists: $1 mil/ann; $2 mil/bien

Capital Budget • Support upgrades to the Barron County Diagnostic Veterinary Lab for Biosecurity Lab 2 capability and increased testing capacity.

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• Barron County Diagnostic Veterinary Lab: $9,555,000 for facility upgrade wfbf.com

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Farmers Showcase Diverse Ways They

Strive for Sustainability

By Rachel Gerbitz

W

isconsin Farm Bureau is proud to highlight the sustainability efforts of farmers across the state. The Leaders of the Land: State Sustainability Series wrapped up in September and brought together diverse types, styles and commodities of farming. The goal of the series was to promote

cross-commodity collaboration and conversation among farmers.

The fundamental idea surrounding sustainability and conservation is to leave the land, water and soil better for the next generation.

What Is the Leaders of the Land: State Sustainability Series?

The purpose of the statewide series was to offer farmers and agriculturists different perspectives regarding environmental stewardship. These events brought farmers of all types together to explore how diverse sectors of agriculture achieve similar goals regarding water quality, soil health, waste management, carbon conversations and air quality.

Each event featured a unique learning opportunity, applicable across farms and allowed networking across different sectors of agriculture and different areas of the state.

Farmer-to-farmer conversation is important to advance sustainable practices and ideas. This series allowed dairy farmers to learn from cranberry growers, cranberry growers to learn from row crop farmers, row crop farmers to learn from vegetable growers and so on.

Farmers are busy providing a safe, sustainable food supply and but it’s important to take time to learn from each other to achieve those goals.

Gwenyn Hill Organic Farm and Gardens' Holistic Approach to Sustainability At Gwenyn Hill Organic Farm and Gardens, livestock and crops are integrated to achieve true sustainability.

The growing system at Gwenyn Hill is governed by nature. The system includes hundreds of species of prairie

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grasses and plants. The ground at Gwenyn Hill is almost always covered with grass or a crop. This helps improve soil health and structure and filters water before it returns to the headwaters of the Pewaukee Lake Watershed.

Healthy soil leads to clean air and water, high-yielding crops, quality grazing land, diverse wildlife and beautiful landscapes.

The land surrounding Gwenyn Hill is well-suited for drilling and growing grasses. They have gotten away from traditional row crop planting. Drilling native grasses and species has promoted biodiversity and offered a low input, low-cost management style for the dairy, beef and sheep herds.

Fencing around the fields has allowed for even further WISCONSIN FARM BUREAU FEDERATION

Gwenyn Hill Organic Farm and Gardens continued

integration of crops and livestock. Fencing was a relatively small investment to achieve a greater goal of the farm. The livestock harvest their own feed and spread their own manure, offering cost and time savings. Fencing was a small investment compared with the machinery that would have been needed to harvest the feed and spread the manure. Fencing also has offered an option to feed crops that did not thrive in the growing season.

The benefits of planting native prairie grasses go beyond beautification. The native prairie lands at Gwenyn Hill are used as grazing paddocks for the livestock herds. These areas are home to many different species of grass and native plants.

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Native prairie promotes biodiversity and additionally has returned grassland songbirds to the area.

The entire ecosystem surrounding Gwenyn Hill benefits from the grazing system. Fly-catching and bug-eating birds follow the herd throughout the rotational grazing system. The sheep herd manages weed control while the beef herd knocks down over-matured pastures, leaving a higher quality paddock for the dairy cows to support milk production.

Owners of Gwenyn Hill are far from done developing their farm and herd. They are in constant growth mode, always learning and changing to keep the land in farming. All facets of the farm work together to achieve sustainability, setting the farm up for success for years to come.

Technology Drives Sustainability at Heartland Farms Heartland Farms is a fifth-generation family farm specializing in potatoes, sweet corn, canning peas and green beans. They manage 24,000 irrigated acres across five counties in central Wisconsin.

In 1873, the farm began with 80 acres, and those original acres are still farmed today. As one of the nation’s premier suppliers of chipping potatoes, Heartland Farms has storage facilities with the capacity for more than onehalf billion pounds of potatoes.

Heartland Farms provides chipping potatoes for Frito-Lay and exemplifies the company’s commitment to 100% sustainably-sourced corn and potatoes.

The storage facilities at Heartland Farms have revolutionized the chipping potato industry through the development of new agronomic and storage protocols for Frito-Lay varieties. Potato storage management is key to delivering a high-quality product throughout the year.

Among the impressive line-up of core values at Heartland Farms is the initiative to, “Lead the way to promote and practice sustainable farming.”

During the tour at Heartland, Jeremie Pavelski, co-founder of Heartland Ag-Tech, said, “We want to make the land better OCTOBER | NOVEMBER 2021

and more productive next year, the following year and 100 years from now. They aren’t making any more soil, so we need to be taking care of what we have.”

One example of the farm’s advanced technology is automatic rain gauges on the irrigation systems. The gauge measures rainfall and automatically shuts down the system when the crop has enough water to meet its needs.

This helps the team respond two hours faster to rainfall events, saving 36 million gallons of water

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Heartland Farms continued each time. Automatic rain gauges have a ripple effect of benefits, from cutting back on miles traveled to irrigation units, to improved response time by team members, to efficient utilization of inputs.

“We have developed a team that is an amazing mix of old school knowledge and new, tech-savvy members,” Jeremie said. “Across the board, we really are a group of geeks: soil geeks, engineer geeks, irrigation geeks. Knowledge is power here.”

There are always new technologies to incorporate, but sustainability has been at the core of Heartland Farms from the very beginning.

Feeding Sustainability Wiese Brothers Farms

The owners of Wiese Brothers Farms in Greenleaf are always looking for opportunities to implement diverse products into their total mixed ration to feed their dairy cattle.

Dan Wiese, one of the owners of Wiese Brothers Farms, compares the 6,000-cow herd to the residents of a town or village. Each one needs to be fed and their waste needs to be managed. Wiese Brothers Farms aims to feed their herd in an efficient, cost-effective way and handle the manure to be good stewards of the community and environment around them.

Wiese Brothers Farms own and operate a feed mill and trucking company in addition to the dairy. The diversity of the business allows for commodity trading.

According to a recent study, food waste is the number one contributor to landfills in Wisconsin. Food waste takes up valuable space in landfills and contributes heavily to greenhouse gas emissions. Feeding byproducts of human food production to dairy cattle offers a new home for food that would otherwise be wasted.

“If a human can eat it, it will usually do well in the rumen,” said Dan Wiese.

Cows are indirectly helping to reduce methane emissions through the consumption of edible food waste.

Truckloads of product will be rejected from processing plants for a myriad of reasons. Wiese Brothers Farms are located about 25 miles south of Green Bay, putting the farms in an ideal

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location to accept these products.

The partners are often able to obtain these products at a reasonable cost. They work closely with their nutritionist to balance these varying products in the ration.

The dairy cow is a wonderful recycler. It can turn those food byproducts into delicious, nutritious dairy products.

Some byproducts will drive intake, resulting in higher milk production. Other byproducts are better suited for heifer feed where the ration is balanced for growth rather than producing milk.

The base ingredients of the cow’s diet are still corn silage and haylage and remain consistent from day to day. Fruity Pebbles, granola, cranberry hulls and candy are a few examples of products that have been worked into the ration at Wiese Brothers Farms. These products are often high in starch and sugar that are used as energy in the cow’s diet.

Implementing highenergy byproducts in the cow’s diet offers cost savings, aligning with the goal of being efficient and costeffective.

Adding these various products to the cow’s diet comes with some trial and error.

“You learn more from your failures than your successes,” said Dan. When it comes to sustainability, every farm is different. Wiese Brothers Farms has found an economic and environmental benefit in implementing byproducts in the dairy herd ration.

WISCONSIN FARM BUREAU FEDERATION

Annual Meeting andYFA Conference WFBF

December 3-6, 2021 • Wisconsin Dells

Notice of Annual Meeting of Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation, Cooperative

Notice of Annual Meeting of Rural Mutual Insurance Company

In accordance with the bylaws and pursuant to the direction of the Board of Directors, the undersigned Secretary hereby gives notice that the Annual Meeting of members of the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation, Cooperative, will convene on Monday, Dec. 6, at 10:30 a.m. at the Kalahari Resorts and Conventions in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin.

In accordance with the bylaws and pursuant to the direction of the Board of Directors, the undersigned Secretary hereby gives notice that the Annual Meeting of members of the Rural Mutual Insurance Company will convene on Monday, Dec. 6, at 10:30 a.m. at the Kalahari Resorts and Conventions in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin.

- Kim Pokorny, Secretary

- Kim Pokorny, Secretary

For most up-to-date information regarding the WFBF Annual Meeting, visit wfbf.com/events/ annual-meeting-yfa-conference.

OCTOBER | NOVEMBER 2021

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ISSUES

Finalists Selected for Leopold Conservation Award® T

hree finalists have been selected for the 2021 Wisconsin Leopold Conservation Award®.

Given in honor of renowned conservationist Aldo Leopold, the prestigious award recognizes farmers and forestland owners who inspire others with their dedication to land, water and wildlife habitat in their care.

In Wisconsin, the $10,000 award is presented annually by Sand County Foundation, American Farmland Trust, Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation and Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin.

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lease 165 acres of farmland to Madison College for use as an agricultural education facility.

This year’s recipient will be revealed later this year. Earlier this year, owners of Wisconsin farmland and forests were encouraged to apply (or be nominated) for the award. Applications were reviewed by an independent panel of agricultural and conservation leaders.

“Wisconsin farmers and farm families Mike Berg continue to innovate and excel towards sustainability goals. These finalists are very deserving of the recognition for the work they are doing to leave the land, water and soil better for the next generation,” said Wisconsin The finalists are: Farm Bureau Federation President • Mike Berg of Blanchardville in Kevin Krentz.

Lafayette County: Berg’s farm “Recipients of this award are realhas long featured contour strips life examples of conservation-minded and no-till practices. Recently he agriculture,” said Sand County planted more than 25,000 trees.

Foundation President and Chief Rip-rapping installed along the Executive Officer Kevin McAleese.

Charlie Hammer and Nancy Kavazanjian Pecatonica River has reduced “These hard-working families are erosion, minimized cropland essential to our environment, food damage from flooding and system and rural economy.” improved fish habitat. Waterways The first Wisconsin Leopold are lined with grass buffer strips Conservation Award was presented at least 16-feet wide. Berg’s beef to woodland conservationist Gerry cattle are rotationally grazed in Mich of Appleton in 2006. The 2020 a manner that encourages grass recipient was John and Melissa Eron of growth while retaining soil.

Stevens Point in Portage County.

• Charlie Hammer and Nancy The Leopold Conservation Award Kavazanjian of Beaver Dam in Wisconsin is made possible thanks in Dodge County: These early to the generous contributions from Dorothy and John Priske adopters of reduced-tillage American Farmland Trust, Sand farming methods also are leaders County Foundation, Dairy Farmers in other ecological ways to protect soil and water. Cover of Wisconsin, Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation, Compeer crops are incorporated into their corn, soybean and winter Financial, Culver’s, McDonald’s, USDA-Natural Resources wheat crop rotation. Pollinator habitats and prairie strips of Conservation Service, We Energies Foundation, Wisconsin native wildflowers and grasses are installed within their crop Corn Growers Association, Wisconsin Corn Promotion Board, fields. Duck scrapes and food plots provide wildlife habitat.

Wisconsin Land and Water Conservation Association, and Solar and wind energy systems reduce their farm’s carbon Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association. footprint and electrical bills.

In his influential 1949 book, “A Sand County Almanac,” • John and Dorothy Priske of Fall River in Columbia Leopold called for an ethical relationship between people and County: The Priskes adopted no-till and rotational grazing the land they own and manage, which he called “an evolutionary practices, and installed grass waterways to improve water possibility and an ecological necessity.” infiltration, sequester carbon and build organic matter Sand County Foundation presents the Leopold Conservation in their soil. They raised and direct marketed Scottish Award to private landowners in 23 states with a variety of Highland beef cattle until 2015. Their pastures provided conservation, agricultural and forestry organizations. For more deep-rooted ground cover to reduce soil erosion. The Priskes information on the award, visit leopoldconservationaward.org.

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WISCONSIN FARM BUREAU FEDERATION

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Diverse Crops

are the Focus on Marathon County Farm Story by Amy Eckelberg. Photos by Cassie Sonnentag.

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1. Joe Heil and his family have been farming for four generations and are one of 160 ginseng growers in the state.

2. One of the multiple greenhouses filled with hemp plants that grow product for the Village Pharm.

3. Joe examined a young ginseng plant amidst its multiple-year growing process.

4. T arps covered the bedded ginseng plants to provide shading that mimics a wooded setting for optimal growing conditions.

5. Hemp plants are hung to dry for processing into CBD products.

inseng has been grown in Wisconsin for more than 100 years. According to the Ginseng Board of Wisconsin, the state’s growers account for 95% of the total cultivated ginseng production in the U.S. In the heart of Marathon County, the Heil family has been farming for four generations. They are one of 160 ginseng growers in the state.

Joe Heil grew up on a dairy farm but ultimately saw the opportunity to get into ginseng. He started by planting a few acres of ginseng and over time has continued to reinvest profits to increase acreage and upgrade equipment.

Through the years, Heil Ginseng has grown to be one of the largest ginseng growers in the country. The farm grows 150,000 pounds of roots per year and processes an additional 100,000 pounds for other growers in the area.

The herbal crop is a root and is available in a variety of products including capsules, tea bags, tea cut and powder.

The crop got its start during World War II when the Fromm Brothers of the small town of Hamburg were the first farmers to grow cultivated ginseng to fund their fur business. The unincorporated town put Marathon County on the map as it continues to be the ‘Ginseng Capital of the World.’

Wisconsin ginseng’s largest buyer is China. Other counties

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also are consumers of the products making international relationships key for ginseng growers. With such an international customer base, the COVID-19 pandemic has added a challenge for ginseng growers who normally travel to maintain relationships with customers and expand their markets.

Besides ginseng, Heil Ginseng also grows other crops and has an extensive retail line of hemp products.

“We have about 3,000 acres in other crops like corn and soybeans on the farm to rotate the fields,” said Joe. “An interesting thing about ginseng is that it can never be grown in the same spot twice. It just won’t grow.”

This phenomenon is considered replant disease. It is an issue that is poorly understood but prevents ginseng from growing on the same land even decades later because of soil-borne diseases.

However, it’s important to note that the nutrients left by a ginseng crop improve the productivity of the soil for other crops.

“We don’t find it hard to find land to rent because ginseng is a good crop rotation,” said Joe. “It’s just that you can only grow it once and you have to sign a four-year contract.”

Ginseng has a very high cost of production. Between land rent, customizable equipment and labor, input costs are large.

Lower market price combined with trade and the pandemic impacts have led to an even smaller profit margin.

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4 Joe added, “There is not a lot of room for mistakes.”

Ginseng is a multi-year crop. It’s traditionally planted in August but sits dormant and cannot be harvested until at least three years after the planting. Ginseng seed is pea-sized and needs to be grown since it’s not available in a retail setting.

“You can’t just go to a seed dealer and ask for ginseng seed,” said Joe. “It’s not available so we have to grow all of our own starter seed which adds another layer of risk.”

The crop is grown in a straw bed that looks like potato mounds from a distance. The ginseng garden beds need to be partly shaded so each plot has tarping over the top to mimic a wooded area. To assist with weed management in and around the ginseng gardens, the farm plants white clover.

The farm started growing hemp as another revenue source when it became eligible to be grown once again in Wisconsin.

“We grow about 160 acres of hemp,” shared Joe. “We grow some outside and some in greenhouses.”

One greenhouse can fit about 980 plants. The farm has multiple greenhouses dedicated to different types of hemp plants.

The farm sells cannabidiol (CBD) products under the name the Village Pharm. The hemp is processed at the farm. Joe OCTOBER | NOVEMBER 2021

5 shared that the farm’s largest sales come from smokable CBD. Through the years of growing hemp, Joe has found greenhouse-grown hemp offers a much better crop for the smokable CBD products.

Much like ginseng, CBD products are toted for their health benefits. Contrary to ginseng, these products don’t have an international customer base. At least not yet.

“It takes time for customers to find trust with these products and in some places, it’s not legal to sell there yet,” said Joe. With having labor-intensive crops, the farm uses the H2A labor program. They have been able to maintain a good labor force because of this program.

In addition to being a member of the Marathon County Farm Bureau, Joe is involved with the Ginseng Board of Wisconsin, American Herbal Products Association, FFA Alumni, the Wausau Chamber of Commerce and serves his local community in a variety of other ways. He promotes research in plant health in cooperation with Michigan State University.

Learn more about Heil Ginseng by visiting heilharvest.com.

Go to thevillagepharm.com to learn more about their CBD products.

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WISCONSIN FARM BUREAU FEDERATION

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OCTOBER | NOVEMBER 2021

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LEADERSHIP

District Discussion Meet Qualifiers

The Discussion Meet gives YFA members the chance to demonstrate their speaking skills on agriculture-related topics.

Contestants are judged on their problem-solving skills as they discuss timely topics with their colleagues. Each of Wisconsin Farm Bureau’s nine districts held a competition where the following contestants were chosen to advance to the state competition held at the WFBF Annual Meeting and YFA Conference at the Kalahari Resort in Wisconsin Dells, Dec. 3-5.

Darren Riskedal Jefferson County

Megan Yager Iowa County

Jim Waldron Racine County

Whitney Rathke Ozaukee County

Paige Blair Green County

Scott Timm Green County

Brooke Trustem Rock County

Kent Jerrett Grant County

Kyle Danzinger Buffalo County

Collin Weltzien Buffalo County

Andrea Rippley Buffalo County

Natasha Paris Green Lake County

Collin Bays Adams County

Erin O’Toole Kewaunee County

Rachel Harmann Door County

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Anna Jones Shawano County

Riley Bricco Waupaca County

Will Litzer Marathon County

Julie Wadzinski Barron County

Kirsten Konder Polk Burnett County

Tammy Wiedenbeck Grant County

Ann Glowacki Door County

Nate Kringle Barron County

WISCONSIN FARM BUREAU FEDERATION

Excellence in Ag Four individuals have been selected as Wisconsin Farm Bureau’s Excellence in Ag finalists and will compete in December for the top honor. The finalists are Stephanie Abts, Julie Sweney, Julie Wadzinski and Kellie Zahn.

The Excellence in Ag award recognizes members of Farm Bureau’s Young Farmer and Agriculturist Program who excel in their leadership abilities and involvement in agriculture, Farm Bureau and other civic and service organizations. Excellence in Ag award applicants are agriculturists who have not derived a majority of their income from a farm (that they own) for the past three years. Examples of occupations of past finalists include agricultural education instructor, fertilizer salesperson, veterinarian, farm employee, journalist and marketer.

Each finalist must make a presentation and answer questions in front of a three-judge panel during WFBF’s Annual Meeting and YFA Conference at the Kalahari Resorts and Conventions in Wisconsin Dells, Dec. 3-5. This year’s state winner will compete at the 2022 AFBF Annual Convention in Atlanta, Georgia.

The Wisconsin Farm Bureau Foundation co-sponsors this contest with GROWMARK, Inc., and Rural Mutual Insurance Company. Farm Bureau’s YFA program is open to members between the ages of 18 and 35. Information and applications for all YFA contests can be downloaded from wfbf.com.

Last year’s Excellence in Ag award recipient was Natasha Paris from Green Lake County.

Julie Sweney

Kellie Zahn

District 2, Dodge County

District 7, Shawano Julie is the director of communications and marketing at FarmFirst Dairy Cooperative in Madison. She serves on the Dodge County Farm Bureau board of directors and is the membership chair, a graduate of the WFBF Leadership Institute and served as the first president of the UWMadison Collegiate Farm Bureau.

Julie and her husband Todd live in Fall River with their daughter Sadie.

Kellie grew up as part of the fourth generation on her family dairy farm where her passion for agriculture was cultivated at an early age.

She is the agriculture agent for the Stockbridge-Munsee Community where she manages the community gardens, teaches classes on gardening and food preservation and oversees the tribe’s agriculture lands. She is a Certified Crop Advisor and earned a bachelor’s degree in agricultural business from UW-River Falls. Kellie enjoys working on her family farm and volunteering in the community. She serves as a board member for the Shawano County Farm Bureau.

Julie Wadzinski

Stephanie Abts

Julie grew up on a 400-head grade Holstein dairy farm in Marathon County. After graduating from UW-Marathon County with an associate degree in liberal arts and sciences, Julie earned her bachelor’s degree in dairy science from UWRiver Falls. She is finishing her master’s degree in agribusiness from Kansas State University, focusing on agritourism and farm income diversification.

Julie is a farm operations instructor at Northwood Technical College. She inspires agricultural careers in young adults and supports life-long learners in a class focused on giving farmers the information and technological background they need to make decisions on best practices.

Julie has participated in the Discussion Meet, served as the District 9 YFA representative and as the WFBF YFA Committee chair.

In her spare time, Julie enjoys hiking, camping, reading and creating memories with her son, Bryan.

Stephanie grew up on her parents’ 80-cow registered Holstein dairy farm in Valders. In 2013, she earned a bachelor’s degree in animal science with a dairy and agricultural business emphasis from UWPlatteville.

Stephanie and her husband Keith are proud owners of a 130-cow dairy farm in New Franken. They raise all their our own youngstock, steers and grow crops on 450 acres. Stephanie works at Rio Creek Feed Mill as a dairy nutritionist consultant servicing all farm sizes throughout the lakeshore area in northeast Wisconsin.

Stephanie is involved with the Manitowoc County Farm Bureau, serving as the YFA chair, chairing the annual wreath sale and helping plan kiddie showmanship.

District 9, Barron County

OCTOBER | NOVEMBER 2021

District 6, Manitowoc County

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Spotlight on YFA

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

Sara Menard Huber, District 5 WFBF YFA Committee member

Farm Bureau member since 2016 Why do you value your Farm Bureau membership?

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

I have been able to build a network across the state and even a few across the country from the national conferences I have attended. It’s nice to have a friend in every area for when you have a question. More than likely, there is someone out there that has been through what you are going through for advice. I like staying involved and updated with agriculture on the farm level. My professional life as a food scientist, I see the finished products of farming, but it’s nice to build a bigger picture through Farm Bureau to learn the challenges at the ground level.

Well at my first YFA annual meeting at the Kalahari, I met my now husband. This is a fun event where you are able to learn from the speakers and networking with other young farmers in the area.

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

There is something for everyone! Just have to take the first step to get involved and then someone will show you the ropes.

Best words of advice/words of wisdom?

Do enough of the small things right, big things will happen.

That’s one of my favorite quotes and something I live by in my day-to-day life.

Register Now to Attend the 2021 Young Farmer and Agriculturist Conference!

Registration is now open for the 2021 YFA Conference being held Dec. 3-5 in Wisconsin Dells in conjunction with the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Annual Meeting. This conference is open to any members ages 18-35.

Why attend the conference?

Network

Meet YFA members from across the state

Learn

Enjoy a large selection of engaging speakers and workshops

Have fun!

There will be many opportunities to socialize and have fun throughout the week

Want to register and learn more? Visit wfbf.com/events/annual-meeting-yfa-conference.

Registration is due Oct. 22, so act fast!

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WISCONSIN FARM BUREAU FEDERATION

Farm Bureau

Recipes courtesy of Sara Menard Huber, a senior food scientist at Brakebush Brothers.

Homemade Salsa Ingredients

• 2 cans stewed tomatoes • 1/2 bunch cilantro • 2 cloves garlic or canned • juice of 1 lime or 1 tsp white vinegar

• salt, to taste (2 tsp. or more, don’t over salt) • 1 jalapeno (leave seeds for more heat or use 1 habanero

Directions

Combine all ingredients in a blender and pulse until desired consistency.

Chocolate Mayo Cake Ingredients

Cake: • 1 box Duncan Hines® Dark Chocolate Fudge cake • 1 c. mayonnaise • 1 c. milk • 3 eggs • 1 Tbsp. ground cinnamon (optional)

Directions

Cake: 1. Blend all ingredients.

2. Bake as directed on box at 350 degrees.

3. Frost with chocolate cream cheese frosting.

Frosting: • 8 oz. cream cheese • 16 oz. powdered sugar • 1/2 c. butter, softened • 1/3 c. cocoa • 1 tsp. vanilla

Frosting: 1. Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth.

2. On medium speed, gradually beat in powdered sugar until light and fluffy.

3. Blend in cocoa and vanilla; continue beating until frosting is smooth.

Chicken and Sausage Gumbo Ingredients

• 4 chicken breasts • 4 chicken thighs, bone-in • 3 yellow onions • chicken broth or bouillon • 1/2 jar Roux

Directions

1. Chop onions to desired size, cover bottom of pot about 1 inch.

2. Add chicken and stock. Boil chicken about 20 minutes.

3. Remove chicken from broth to be de-boned.

4. A dd Roux to pot, bring to boil to dissolve. Cook on low about 45 minutes (may need to add liquid).

5. Remember to allow room to add meat back to pot.

OCTOBER | NOVEMBER 2021

• 11/2 lb. down home sausage • Tasso ham • green onion tops • parsley

6. P an fry sausage and Tasso to remove grease.

7. A dd de-boned chicken and sausage to pot, continue to simmer 30-45 minutes.

8. A dd onions and parsley, cook about 10 minutes. *May need to skim grease off the top.

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LEADERSHIP

Leaders Selected for Collegiate Farm Bureau Chapters S chool is back in session and the collegiate Farm Bureau chapters are back in action for another year. WFBF has established collegiate Farm Bureau chapters at UW-Madison, UW-Platteville and UW-River Falls. Each chapter is a student-run organization with an elected officer team and a faculty advisor. Chapter officers plan a yearly program of work

that typically includes regular meetings to conduct business, social activities, service projects and Farm Bureau events and activities at the county, state and national levels. Chapters are provided support from the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Foundation and Rural Mutual Insurance Company.

UW-Madison (From left) Clarissa Gross, secretary, Jefferson County; Nicole Broege, treasurer, Rock County; Billy Seimet, president, Dane County; Sabrina Servais, vice president, Vernon County; Olivia Spaight, director of public relations, Racine County; Ted Halbach, faculty advisor.

Not pictured: Kristin Novack, director of Ag in the Classroom, Jefferson County

Collegiate Farm Bureau at UW-Madison

UW-Platteville (Front from left) Hannah Lemke, director at large, Jefferson County; Kristen Felton, Ag Day on Campus, Adams County, Mindy Smits, president, DeKalb, IL (Back from left) Brooklyn Hollis, vice president, Ogle, IL; Katie Yanke, Ag Day on Campus, Sauk County; Blake Gieck, director at large, Dane County, Alexis Boston, treasurer, Rock County, Rebecca Wilke, secretary, Door County Not pictured: Brooke Wackerlin, Ag in the Classroom, DeKalb, IL Collegiate Farm Bureau at UW-Platteville

UW-River Falls (Front from left) Serenity Hetke, president, Rusk County; Michelle Stangler, Ag Day on Campus, Dodge County; Jenessa Grenneway, reporter, Wood County; Emma Jorgenson, vice president, Rock County (Back from left) Barbara Dittrich, Ag Day on Campus, Buffalo County; Grant Buwalda, CAFES representative, Fond du Lac; Matthew Fischer, secretary, Clark County; David Foerster, treasurer, Sheboygan County

UW-River Falls Collegiate Farm Bureau

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WISCONSIN FARM BUREAU FEDERATION

500 500

Farm Bureau members receive

$ $

BONUS CASH BONUS CASH

Farm Bureau members receive

* *

ON ELIGIBLE NEW MAVERICK, RANGER, F-150 OR SUPER DUTY ®

We are proud to offer exclusive savings to Farm Bureau ® members and be the official We areofproud to offer exclusive truck the Farm Bureau’s ® savings to Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers. members and be the official truck of the Farm Bureau’s Young Farmers and Ranchers.

ON ELIGIBLE NEW MAVERICK, RANGER, F-150 OR SUPER DUTY ®

FORD SUPER DUTY ®

FORD F-150

FORD RANGER ®

FORD MAVERICK

FORD SUPER DUTY ®

FORD F-150

FORD RANGER ®

FORD MAVERICK

Computer-generated image with available features shown.

Computer-generated image with available features shown.

Don’t miss out on this offer.

Visit FordFarmBureauAdvantage.com today!

Don’t miss out on this offer.

Visit today! *Farm Bureau FordFarmBureauAdvantage.com Bonus Cash is exclusively for active Farm Bureau members who are residents of the United States. $500 Bonus

Cash on the purchase or lease of an eligible new 2020/2021/2022 Ford Maverick, Ranger, F-150 or Super Duty.® This incentive is not available on F-150 Lightning, F-150 Raptor, F-600, F-650 and F-750 Super Duty®. This offer may not be used in conjunction with most other Ford Motor Company private incentives or AXZD-Plans. Some customer and purchase eligibility restrictions apply.

Must be a Farm Bureau member for 30 consecutive days prior to purchase or lease and take new retail delivery from an authorized *Farm Bureau Bonus Cash is exclusively for active Farm Bureau members who are residents of the United States. $500 Bonus Ford Dealer’s stock by January 3, 2022. Visit FordFarmBureauAdvantage.com or see your authorized Ford Dealer for qualifications Cash on the purchase or lease of an eligible new 2020/2021/2022 Ford Maverick, Ranger, F-150 or Super Duty.® This incentive is and complete details. Note to dealer: Claim in VINCENT using #37860. not available on F-150 Lightning, F-150 Raptor, F-600, F-650 and F-750 Super Duty®. This offer may not be used in conjunction with most other Ford Motor Company private incentives orGREENVILLE AXZD-Plans. Some customer and purchase eligibility restrictions apply.

MANITOWOC BALDWIN MustFLAGSHIP be a Farm Bureau member for 30 consecutive ALL days WORLD prior to purchase or INC. lease and take new retail delivery from an authorized INC. MARITIME FORD-LINCOLN, FORD, FORD 844-207-0760 920-710-2000 or see your authorized Ford Dealer 833-740-0840 Ford Dealer’s stock by January 3, 2022. Visit FordFarmBureauAdvantage.com for qualifications www.maritimeford.com www.allworldford.com www.flagshipford.com and complete details. Note to dealer: Claim in VINCENT using #37860.

RIPON HOMAN FORD INC. 833-839-6824 www.homanford.net

CHIPPEWA FALLS TOYCEN FORD, INC. 844-318-7465 www.toycenford.net

HUDSON HUDSON FORD 715-386-2334 www.hudsonford.com

MILLADORE HUGHES SERVICE INC. 715-457-2114 www.hughesservice.com

WAUSAU KOCOUREK FORD 715-298-3673 www.kocourekford.net

CLINTONVILLE CLINTONVILLE MOTORS, INC. FORD 715-823-3154 www.clintonvilleford.com

MADISON METRO FORD OF MADISON 608-290-1139 www.metrofordofmadison.com Rob Walker

OSSEO OSSEO FORD SALES & SERVICE INC. 715-597-3185 www.osseoford.com

WHITEWATER KETTERHAGEN MOTOR SALES INC. 844-204-6548 www.ketterhagenford.com

*Farm Bureau Bonus Cash is exclusively for active Farm Bureau members who are residents of the United States. $500 Bonus Cash on the purchase or lease of an eligible new 2020/2021/2022 Ford Maverick, Ranger, F-150 or Super Duty.® This incentive is not available on F-150 Lightning, F-150 Raptor, F-600, F-650 and F-750 Super Duty®.

This offer may not be used in conjunction with most other Ford Motor Company private incentives or AXZD-Plans. Some customer and purchase eligibility restrictions apply.

Must be a Farm Bureau member for 30 consecutive days prior to purchase or lease and take new retail delivery from an authorized Ford Dealer’s stock by January 3, 2022.

Visit FordFarmBureauAdvantage.com or see your authorized Ford Dealer for qualifications and complete details. Note to dealer: Claim in VINCENT using #37860.

‘Cran’ you believe these money saving 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.

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 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 members receive $500 bonus cash on the purchase or lease of a new Ranger, F-150 or Super Duty® Must be a member for 30 days. Visit fordfarmbureauadvantage.com/Login/Login for complete details or to print your certificate.

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.

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

Accidental Death 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.* 24

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WISCONSIN FARM BUREAU FEDERATION

MEMBERSHIP

Green Lake County Member Saves on New Discbine U sing Farm Bureau’s member benefit to save on the purchase of a discbine, Green Lake County Farm Bureau board member and former president Dave Wilke purchased a 2020 Case IH discbine from Service Motors Company in Fond du Lac and saved $500 and received other program discount savings.

Dave and his wife Terri, own and rent 1,600-acres in Green Lake County near Ripon and alfalfa, small grains, and vegetables for a nearby canning factory. They also raise more than 400 steers and some beef cattle.

He mentioned that he typically doesn’t purchase new equipment but in August, staff at Service Motors offered additional program discounts to ‘clear the lot’ of older equipment inventory.

“It was a great deal and with the additional $500 Case IH Farm Bureau member benefit discount, I couldn’t pass it up,” said Dave and added that his salesperson, Jeremy Kautzer, was aware of the Farm Bureau discount and great to work with.

“WFBF District 5 Coordinator Becky Hibicki provided me with the required certificate – you can’t get easier than that.”

Jeremy has been an outside sales representative for Service Motors Company for about a year, but he knew Dave and his family from when he was farming. He occasionally stopped and visited with Dave about future equipment purchases.

“The Farm Bureau discount sealed the deal,” said Jeremy.

“This was the first time that I dealt with the discount; it was easy to deal with and the $500 savings more than covers the Farm Bureau membership dues.”

The Wilke family has been members of Farm Bureau since 1984, and Dave’s father and brother also were long-time members. From 2006 to 2017, Dave served as president of the Green Lake County Farm Bureau; he served as chair of the Young Farmer and Agriculturist Committee; participated in the Washington, D.C., Fly-In; participated in the WFBF Leadership Institute; a member of the Volunteers for Agriculture® Committee; and is an active volunteer for membership recruitment.

“By promoting the Farm Bureau member benefits to prospective members, it makes my member recruitment job easier,” said Dave. “I hope by sharing my positive member benefit experience, it will help grow the organization.”

Wisconsin Farm Bureau members can save up to $200 to $500 per unit on select Case IH equipment including tractors, windrowers, balers, conditioners, etc.

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

Get Ready for the AFBF 103rd Annual Convention in Atlanta F arm Bureau members from all fifty states and Puerto Rico will meet in Atlanta, Georgia, for the 103rd AFBF Annual Convention, Jan. 7-12, 2022.

The 2022 annual convention will again feature a variety of issue conferences, top-notch speakers and the IDEAg Trade Show. The annual meeting registration fee is $100 per person, which covers entrance to all sessions.

Farm Bureau members will OCTOBER | NOVEMBER 2021

have the opportunity to participate in a variety of optional pre- and post-convention tours hosted by Georgia Farm Bureau, including several that highlight the diversity of Georgia agriculture.

Registration materials for the AFBF Annual Convention are available at wfbf.com or by contacting WFBF Executive Director of Member Relations Bob Leege at 608.828.5710 or bleege@wfbf.com. wfbf.com

25

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.

Parade Float Draws Attention

Zumba on the Farm Keeps Attendees Active

The Jefferson County Farm Bureau has been floating around.

Throughout the summer the Jefferson County Farm Bureau board of directors takes their float through local parades. Members distribute string cheese or candy in varying parades. The float has a cow, a pig, flags and a sign that reads ‘A Strong Agriculture Means a Strong America.’

Be active, eat healthily and fuel up with real food that has quality protein like beef and dairy. On Sept. 10, the Sauk County Farm Bureau Promotion and Education committee hosted Zumba on the Farm. Brady and Kat Peper of Granite Hills Farm LLC in Rock Springs hosted the event on their farm where nearly 40 Zumba enthusiasts enjoyed an hour-long Zumba class in the barn followed by a social with tasty beef kabobs and chocolate milk. Thanks to generous sponsors, the cost to participate was free.

Additional donations were taken during the event to support the Second Harvest Food Bank of Southern Wisconsin.

Fair Food Stands Back in Action Farm Bureau members in Crawford, Grant and Lafayette counties served up a variety of delicious foods at their respective county fairs. Grant County is known for its marinated pork chop plate; Lafayette County for its grilled steak sandwich; and Crawford County for its assortment of pies and ice cream treats. Each food stand proved to be a great success thanks to the many volunteers who devoted their time to organize and work at the stands. Farm Bureau food stands are always a favorite at the fairs in District 3. Fairgoers often mention how much they look forward to visiting each stand every year.

Ag Education Gets Wild On July 17, Brown County Farm Bureau hosted an ag education day at the NEW Zoo and Adventure Park in Green Bay. They provided ice cream sandwiches to the first 500 visitors and had several activities including temporary tattoos and milk fireworks.

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Milkshake Trailer Hits the Road How do you improve a Farm Bureau event that is an icon of the county fair, has had decades of success, involves members of all ages and serves as a consistent fundraiser with a dedicated customer base?

You make it mobile. The Trempealeau County Farm Bureau milkshake crew recently served hundreds of shakes to thirsty attendees at Ashley for the Arts in Arcadia. This art festival attracts more than 50,000 potential milkshake consumers, a market that is served by the Trempealeau County Farm Bureau. All this activity is due to the willingness of dedicated Trempealeau County Farm Bureau volunteers to take it on the road.

WISCONSIN FARM BUREAU FEDERATION

County Centennial Celebration

Ag on the Move

Fond du Lac County Farm Bureau celebrated its centennial on Aug. 28 at Taylor Park in Fond du Lac. More than 80 people attended the event, which included a program with messages from Fond du Lac County Farm Bureau president Reuben Hopp, Wisconsin Farm Bureau President Kevin Krentz and American Farm Bureau Vice President from South Dakota, Scott VanderWal. Rep. Jeremy Theisfeldt (R–Fond du Lac), Sen. Dan Feyen (R–Fond du Lac) and Congressman Glenn Grothman (R-WI) presented the county with commemorative plaques in honor of the centennial.

Wood County Farm Bureau recently put part of their Ag on the Move program on display at the Central Wisconsin State Fair in Marshfield. Greta, the incredible milking cow, even posed with the National Guernsey queen for a photo opportunity.

Well-Rounded Fair Fun Folks couldn’t help but smile when they tried to decide which of the many ice cream flavors they would choose to enjoy at the Shawano County Farm Bureau’s ice cream stand at the Shawano County Fair. Raising funds selling ice cream and floats in the Junior Fair Exhibition Building isn’t all the Shawano County Farm Bureau is involved with at the fair. They are the sponsor of the performance and program stage in the building as well. They also provided coupons for a free ice cream cone or dish for the 4-H junior exhibitors.

Beef Promotion Connects Consumers The Langlade County Farm Bureau Promotion and Education Committee received a $250 grant from the Wisconsin Beef Council and used the funds to do two beef promotions. The first was held at the Music in the Park event in Antigo providing beef sandwiches for folks as they listened to the music of the Quarry Road Band. The second was done at Michael’s Restaurant on the corner of State Highway 45 and State Highway 64 in Antigo. Promotion and Education chair Bev Brecklin (right) provided customers entering the restaurant with samples of different cuts of steaks that were available on the menu.

The manager of the restaurant told Bev that sales of steaks increased that day due to the promotion.

OCTOBER | NOVEMBER 2021

Water Quality Workshop On Sept. 8, Chippewa County Farm Bureau hosted a water quality workshop series. Two separate meetings were held.

The first meeting was led

by Rachel Rushmann, producer-led program manager with the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection and focused statewide producer-led watershed program. Rachel reviewed successful projects already in place in Wisconsin, discussed how Chippewa County farmers could begin a project and gave examples of what farmers could do to improve farming practices, increase farm income and improve water quality in the Chippewa Valley.

The second meeting was held in the evening and was a community discussion regarding water, soil, nutrients and agriculture. Amber Radatz, co-director of Discovery Farms, gave a presentation and led the discussion that included county board members, Chippewa County staff members and Chippewa County farmers. The topics of nitrogen and improved management on farms could reduce production costs, protect groundwater and meet upcoming changes in regulations were covered during the discussion.

These meetings were the start of a conversation to bring farmers and the community together in Chippewa County to focus on working as a team to benefit the Chippewa Valley environment.

Families Honored for Centennial Farms On July 25, Outagamie County Farm Bureau sponsored Centennial Farm Awards at the Outagamie County Fair.

The Huettl, Nettekoven and Reis families were presented with a personalized Centennial Farm sign provided by the Outagamie County Farm Bureau to commemorate their special achievement. The story of each farm’s history was read to the audience before Outagamie County Farm Bureau president Mike Salter (right) presented the signs.

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27

VOICES

A Time To Be Thankful

A Message from WFBF President Kevin Krentz

I

find this time of year to be a season of reflection. Fall is a hectic time on the farm, but it also gives us thinking time.

The first things that come to mind are my family, health and countless other blessings. But as I reflect on the Farm Bureau year, we can’t forget about everything this organization provides for us.

What does your Farm Bureau membership do for you? With the cost of membership being about the cost of a nice dinner, you get your money’s worth.

A Farm Bureau membership may mean different things to different people. In any aspect, your membership continues to work for you and you get even more when you put something into it besides the dollars and your membership lasts all year long.

One of the things I am most grateful for is how Farm Bureau continues to be a voice for agriculture. While you’re busy farming, Farm Bureau is working on your behalf in places where it matters.

You may not always see it or hear it, but our staff on the governmental relations team make sure we are represented well.

WFBF’s lobbying team continues to make our needs known. Because of this

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effort, Wisconsin agriculture had a very successful state budget.

We’ve seen financial support dedicated to broadband, meat processing facilities, dairy processors, farmer-led watershed initiatives and rural mental health. Support also has been given to agricultural exports that will continue to help drive the Wisconsin brand and demand. This team continues to engage on behalf of farmers across the state on many issues including water quality and quantity, wolves, wildlife crop depredation, protecting use value assessment and more.

It’s important to note that American Farm Bureau Federation also has a great team working hard for our rural interests. AFBF is engaged on numerous issues such as growing trade and exports, fixing a broken dairy and beef pricing system, creating an immigration system that supplies a reliable workforce for agriculture, building infrastructure both locally and nationally, protecting family farms from taxation and defending a Waters of the U.S. rule that is based on science.

You and I know that advocating for agriculture is far more than lobbying.

Across the state of Wisconsin, we have dozens of volunteers going into schools talking about agriculture and its importance within our communities.

Farm Bureau’s Ag in the Classroom is an engagement of our youth and teaching them about where their food comes from, modern agriculture practices and in many cases, giving them the opportunity to do hands-on activities. I’m sincerely thankful for a program that provides an opportunity to share what we do with future leaders.

Farm Bureau’s public relations team works hard to keep us as members up to date and informed through district newsletters, Rural Route and other digital efforts. One of the most

important responsibilities of this team is to connect media outlets with members.

Encouraging members to share their personal stories is immensely important in advocating for agriculture.

Additionally, social media provides a great opportunity for continual engagement on topics from road safety to food nutrition. Farmers are one of the most trusted professions on the planet and we need to leverage that with transparency.

Lastly, we can’t help but acknowledge the savings Farm Bureau provides to our members. If you want to own equipment or need to upgrade, there are numerous savings through Case IH, John Deere and Caterpillar. If you travel, you can get savings through hotel stays and car rentals. There also is a discount available for recreational vehicles through Yamaha.

More information regarding these benefits can be found at wfbf.com and WFBF staff are looking for even more opportunities to help you save through other partnerships.

As I think of our beginnings as an organization, we can’t forget to acknowledge our partnership with Rural Mutual Insurance. Your membership also gives you the ability to purchase insurance. Rural Mutual Insurance Company was created to help farmers get insurance when they could not find it elsewhere. I’m proud that we have a close relationship with Wisconsin’s leading farm insurance writer. If you don’t have Rural Mutual Insurance, talk to your local agent.

We have many things to be grateful for as a Farm Bureau member. Give thanks this season and I wish you a safe harvest.

God bless.

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

WISCONSIN FARM BUREAU FEDERATION

Working Together to Find Solutions A Message from AFBF President Zippy Duvall

W

hen you hear about what is going on in Washington, you often hear about the battle between political parties or special interests. Sometimes it’s easy to pick a fight with another group.

But what’s harder—and often more productive—is working with groups that don’t always agree with you to find common ground. Over the past few years, I’ve been proud that Farm Bureau has taken a seat at the table with many other organizations so we can help build a better future for agriculture and the communities our members live in.

By bringing people with different viewpoints together, we achieve much more than any one group could accomplish on its own. We see the truth of this in our individual communities as neighbors help neighbors. It’s that spirit that led us a few years ago to partner with National Farmers Union and Farm Credit to launch a training program to help spot the signs of stress on the farm and offer help. Unfortunately, farmers and ranchers are more likely to commit suicide than those in any other occupation. The inability to control the cost of supplies, the weather and the price for their products can take a tremendous

OCTOBER | NOVEMBER 2021

toll on a farmer’s mental health. Not to mention, farming can be rather solitary and it’s natural for us to keep fears and feelings bottled up. No one should feel hopeless or that they have to go it alone.

Partnering with these organizations, we reached more people than we could have on our own – and our communities are better off because of it. I have no doubt that lives have been saved thanks to that partnership.

Another issue that we have been working with a diverse group of stakeholders is around climate policy. A few years ago, it became clear this was a rising topic in both the public and private sectors. Farmers and ranchers have made notable strides in reducing our environmental impact and in caring for our soil and water. At the American Farm Bureau, we stepped up to engage more fully in the conversation. We’re putting a spotlight on advances in climate-smart farming to better tell the world our story. And together with other agriculture, forestry, food processing and environmental groups, we formed a historic alliance: the Food and Agriculture Climate Alliance. This coalition represents people who may not always think alike. Still, we focus on areas where we agree, without compromising our grassroots’ policies, and put forward responsible policy solutions to support farmers and ranchers as we work together to achieve sustainability goals. Because of it, the focus in Washington is very different from a decade or so ago, with much talk of respecting farmers and ranchers as partners.

A much broader conversation is underway about advancing climatesmart farming. There are groups far removed from the farm, like the United Nations, that seek to set goals for farmers.

Unfortunately, the UN has a track record of omitting some facts and failing to fully rely on science, in addition to closing its

doors to U.S. farmers and ranchers. We must have a seat at the table if we hope to set the record straight and stop damaging policies and commitments. Coalitions like U.S. Farmers and Ranchers in Action are also doing important work to ensure agriculture is represented and farmers have a seat at the table, including at tomorrow’s UN Food Systems Summit.

If we want the UN to recognize the remarkable leadership shown by U.S. agriculture in advancing sustainability goals, then we darn well better have a seat at the table.

One thing farmers and ranchers know how to do is work together. We work to improve our communities and push for policies that will help us successfully deliver the food, fiber and fuel our country needs. From our work ensuring food bank shelves were restocked early in the pandemic, to packing meals for kids to replace school lunches and even sewing masks to donate when there was a shortage, our commitment to giving back continues. Our Young Farmers and Ranchers Committee is coming up on 20 years of working together to give back through our Harvest for All program.

In 2020 alone, YF&R programs across the country donated nearly 52 million pounds of food, spent 22,570 hours volunteering, and donated more than $1.4 million to their local food banks.

Bottom line, that spirit of cooperation inspires me. Whether it’s improving our communities or improving the policies that impact us and our communities, I am proud to take a seat at many different tables to represent agriculture as we work to find solutions.

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

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29

VOICES

Future Crop Outlook

A Guest Column by AgriVisor's Karl Setzer

N

ow, we are at a stage where the focus in the market shifts from old crop to new crop. In turn, this brings a change in marketing focus and the fundamentals that will impact futures.

It is a well-known fact that the U.S. stocks to use ratios on corn and soybeans will remain tight for the 2021-2022 marketing year. In fact, these are already at rationing levels and may not rise above for another marketing year if demand remains high and production does

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not increase. This outlook is starting to impact how farmers have looked at marketing their new crop inventory.

Last year, farmers were heavy sellers out of the field and had liquidated a large portion of their bushels within a few months of harvest ending. Many believe they were not able to take advantage of the winter market rally as a result, and this may prevent them from making heavy sales right at harvest. Given the carry that is building in the market, this may not be a bad decision this year, especially on corn.

Not only will price dictate how much selling we see at harvest, but so will available space versus crop sizes. On-farm storage continues to be built across the Corn Belt and this alone eases the need to move inventory right at harvest. If yields come in at lower levels, this will further reduce any urgency in making harvest time sales. If this practice is widespread it may open windows of opportunity for quick ship sales, which can be highly attractive.

This year, we also may see a shift in overall market structure that could impact basis levels across the interior market. We have started to see more export demand

for loadings out of the Pacific Northwest than the Gulf. This is mainly from lower shipping costs from the Pacific Northwest into the Asian market, where the U.S.’s largest buyers are, than what shipping out of the Gulf costs.

As a result, we are seeing more bushels flow to the Pacific Northwest by rail than to the Gulf on barge. This has started to generate better bids at rail facilities that can ship west than some U.S. barge loaders.

One point of pressure the U.S. is seeing this year, even with tight projected carryout, is the fact that global production is rising. High commodity values have encouraged expansion in South America for the upcoming year and when combined with a return to more normal weather it will elevate their production.

Other countries also are reporting large crops, including China, Ukraine and Russia. This may ease some of the demand for U.S. commodities and cap value potential.

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

O

nce upon a time, I had the pleasure of observing the release of several prairie chickens on the Buena Vista Grasslands south of Plover, 30 miles south of our place along the creek.

Transplants from northwest Minnesota, the birds were liberated to strengthen the gene pool of a small, isolated flock.

Named a state threatened species in 1079, it is hoped that the new blood will ensure their future, as they number less than a few thousand birds in this central part of the state.

Chances are when you think about endangered habitats, wetlands come to mind. But in fact, these days grasslands are the most endangered vegetative ecosystem in Wisconsin.

Restoring and maintaining grasslands for wildlife is the driving force behind several groups, including the Central Wisconsin Grassland Conservation Area Partnership.

This partnership project covers portions of six counties, including Taylor, Clark, Marathon, Portage, Wood and Adams. With an eye towards restoring and creating habitat for grassland species, their ultimate goal is to maintain an open, uninterrupted farm and grassland landscape across the central part of the state.

Wisconsin’s native prairies once covered approximately 2.1 million acres

OCTOBER | NOVEMBER 2021

- at present, less than 2,500 acres remain. Agricultural conversion over the years to grass hay, small grains and permanent pasture took a toll on wildlife associated with prairies. More than ever, prairies and other grassland habitats – including agricultural hayfields and converted croplands - need to be established, managed and preserved.

Everyone should own a piece of prairie. Whether measured in square feet, acres or square miles, it matters not. Possessing a piece of prairie gives a person ownership in the past - a window into a land’s history.

Folks in town plant prairie grasses and wildflowers in small patches, as a bit of landscaping or borders for their backyards. Our prairie along the creek, a work in progress, measures eight acres.

In 2004, our No. 1 son brought home a plan for our land sponsored by a local chapter of Pheasants Forever. Dubbed the ‘habitat organization,’ this conservation group puts the money it raises to good use on the land. Since 1982, their wildlife habitat projects have benefited millions of acres across the U.S. Local chapters sponsor area projects that promote grassland management in surrounding counties.

Our project began with burning, treatment and planting. That spring, we burned about half the field with a Pheasants Forever volunteer crew under a permit issued by the Department of Natural Resources fire control. After that, we waited until the field ‘greened up’ – then applied an herbicide to remove any undesirable cool-season grasses that survived.

Then we planted a warm-season prairie grass mix with a neighbor’s no-till planter over the burn and old corn stubble that remained on the lower portion of the field.

The grasses planted were Indian

grass, switchgrass and big and little bluestem. There were five forbs (wildflowers) in the mix and today, we see black-eyed Susan and yellow coneflower. In addition, we supplemented with lead plant, butterfly weed, wild Indigo, wild lupine, dotted mint, round-headed bush clover and blazing star, but so far, the only ones we know are growing are the Indigo, lupine and dotted mint. Establishing a diverse prairie takes time and patience.

To thrive, prairie grasslands need periodic disturbance. Before disappearing under the plow, grassland wildfires swept across the oceans of grasses as a result of natural or man-made reasons. Our project is into its 16th year and maintenance is always in order including mowing, grazing and controlled burning.

Obligate grassland species, a term used by ornithologists, describes species that require relatively treeless grasslands for most or all parts of the breeding cycles, including nesting and foraging.

Loss of contiguous grasslands in Wisconsin has resulted in a decline in certain species that depend on this critical habitat. That’s where the CWCGA project steps up to the plate. Their goal is to promote grassland conservation and maintain an open, undeveloped landscape where farming is the major land use.

Common visitors to our field include blackbirds, bluebirds, kingbirds, swallows, sparrows, grackles and goldfinches. I can’t remember the last time I’ve seen a meadowlark or bobolink in our field.

With a little luck, our little prairie may someday attract them back.

Stay tuned.

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

31

Destress this Harvest Season Harvest season is upon and that can mean some added stress for you and your family. With all of the variables that come throughout the season including weather, equipment, markets and balancing the needs of your family, stress can have lasting impact on farmers and their health.

During these stressful and busy times of year, it is important to take care of the most valuable asset on the farm, you.

Some of the most common signs of stress during harvest season include headaches, frustration, irritability, impatience, forgetfulness and fatigue. Doing small things throughout harvest can have a impact on your overall health and help reduce and manage stress.

Taking breaks are important to recover and recharge.

A small break can help restore energy and decrease the development of fatigue.

Phone a friend.

Reach out to your spouse, friends, or other trusted peers with your concerns.

They might be able to offer advice or listening ear.

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Your physical health is important.

Make time for your family.

Riding in the combine or driving tractor all day can be exhausting. Getting just 30 minutes of exercise and body movement helps to release serotonin that can assist with stress relief.

With long hours in the fields, you may not make it home for family dinners, bedtime for kids or fall family activities. Be sure to schedule time with your family. While harvest can be stressful for you as a farmer, it can be equally stressful for kids who might also get out of a routine.

Adequate sleep will keep you on your toes.

You are what you eat.

When you get behind on your normal sleep routine, it can impact your reaction time, make you more irritable and blur your judgment.

Pack nutritious snacks and drink plenty of water to help fuel your body throughout the day.

WISCONSIN FARM BUREAU FEDERATION

FARM BUREAU MEMBERS SAVE UP TO $5,000* We’re here to help you on the homestead. Farm Bureau members save up to $5,000 on new Cat ® machines,* including backhoe loaders, wheel loaders, compact track loaders and more. Plus, get up to $250 off select Cat attachments* for your farm. Visit www.cat.com/farmbureau for more information.

*These offers apply to new Cat machines and select new Cat attachments purchased by trade association members or event attendees until the earlier to occur of December 31, 20211 or when the program limit has been reached. Limit of one credit per new Cat machine and one credit per new attachment purchased but this offer may be applied to multiple machines or attachments. Offer available on new quotes only. This offer is not valid for any discounts greater than 20% off the Suggested Consumer List Price, including any other offers, programs or discounts. Contact your participating Cat dealer for details and to see the specific discount pricing available per model. Subject to credit approval and membership verification. Valid only at participating Cat dealer locations in the U.S. and Canada. Subject to change without prior notice. Not valid with other offers, programs or discounts unless otherwise specified in writing. Limitations and restrictions apply. Program Reference ID: STR21AFB © 2020 Caterpillar. All Rights Reserved. CAT, CATERPILLAR, LET’S DO THE WORK, their respective logos, “Caterpillar Corporate Yellow,” the “Power Edge” and “Modern Hex” trade dress, as well as corporate and product identity used herein, are trademarks of Caterpillar and may not be used without permission.

OCTOBER | NOVEMBER 2021

wfbf.com

33

With Kathy Muth

It’s All in the Label . . . Or is it?

O

ur food labels provide great nutrition information in a uniform box that is literally black and white. But, as clear as it may seem, some labels are clear as mud.

Label

They are often misleading and confusing and leave the consumer with a ‘myth’ about food. What isn’t said, or how it’s stated, often leads to false implications. Maybe we need to decode it for consumers.

Let’s take a look at three common myths.

Label

Milk comes in: Skim

1% or 2% Whole

Label

Imitation dairy products

AntibioticFree

Myth

Myth

Myth

Any meat not labeled antibiotic free must have antibiotics.

There is a lot more fat in whole milk.

Myth Buster

Skim is actually totally fat free.

The others are 98% and 99% fat free.

Whole milk is actually 96% fat free.

These products are comparable to milk.

Myth Buster

No meat product can reach the consumer if it has antibiotics. All meat is tested for antibiotics during the harvesting process.

Labeled or not, no meat has antibiotics.

Studies show that 76% of adults read food labels. Around 60% find them confusing.* There are efforts to change food labeling and Farm Bureau has lobbied for those changes. Until the changes are made though, what can we do?

For those of us with boots ‘on the ground,’ we can share the truth about the good food we produce. Think about ways you can share these messages. How can you take these facts with you to engage people? Maybe you can work with a local grocery store on a promotion. Can you bring small informational cards with you to put next to your church potluck meal? Maybe you are confident enough to ask someone in the grocery store if they have a question about the meat or milk they are buying.

The most important thing to consider is going to the

Myth Buster

The best way to bust this myth is to compare the ingredients in REAL milk to imitation dairy products.

REAL milk has a short list of essential nutrients. Imitation products have a long list of additives.

customer. Talk their language. Be where they are consuming or buying food.

Get creative in how you can engage customers. Without conversations and active advocating we can’t make a difference.

Together, we can change one shopper at a time and help them understand the truth about food. I challenge you to step up to the plate and give it a try.

If you are looking for a starting point check out the WFBF Promotion and Education Playbook. Throughout the Playbook, you will find activities and events for all ages, timeframes and budgets. You can find it by visiting wfbf.com/programs/ promotion-and-education/playbook. * Source: ucsusa.org/resources/transparency-food-labeling

Kathy Muth is the District 1 representative on the WFBF Promotion and Education

Committee. She farms with her husband, George, their son, Peter, and daughter-in-law, Gina. They milk 250 cows in the town of Cheeseville.

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.

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Promotion and Education Program

WISCONSIN FARM BUREAU FEDERATION

5

MINUTES

WITH GREEN COUNTY’S

AMY SILVER

By Marian Viney

Please share a little about yourself, family, education, career, etc.

As the seventh generation, I grew up on my family’s dairy farm near Monticello. My parents and brother are the powerhouses behind all operations. Although I’m not involved on the farm daily, I continue to milk on the weekends and help when needed. I live nearby and haven’t decided if six minutes is too close or too far away for last-minute help.

I work for the State Bank of Cross Plains in Brooklyn as an agricultural portfolio manager.

When trying to figure out what I wanted to do after high school, I decided that I never wanted to spend a day of my life outside of agriculture - it is something I always want to be a part of. My older sister attended UW-Platteville and, typical of a little sister, I decided to follow her path. In 2017, I earned a dual bachelor’s degree in agricultural business and soil/crop science with an emphasis in commodity and price analysis.

Throughout college, I interned at a potato farm near Plainfield as well as Kuhn North America in Brodhead.

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

Every few years in school, the counselor gave my class the task of drawing a picture of what we wanted to be when we grew up. Once we were seniors, we were given the drawings back. Mine ranged from being a nurse to a baker and of course a farmer. Thinking back to the farmer drawing, I had a drawn a tractor and made sure I wrote the correct model number on it.

Although I was maybe only eight at the time, my brother made sure I knew every single tractor model we had on the farm.

What is one agricultural experience that has defined you?

Like any farm kid, I was antsy to be able to do what my parents and older siblings were able to do. I started milking cows as soon as I could reach the pipeline. Take into consideration, I’m 5’11” so I was able to start pretty young. I am not sure if it’s the milking itself that I enjoy or the conversations that are had in the barn with family. If a barn could talk, just imagine the stories that it could tell.

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

In Green County, I am most proud of our Young Farmer and Agriculturist participation and interest. As we look forward to the future, it is encouraging to see that we have a group of members that are go-getters and support the future of agriculture in our county.

Tell us about your responsibilities with the State Bank of Cross Plains?

As an agricultural portfolio manager, I analyze farm financials

OCTOBER | NOVEMBER 2021

and tell a story by recognizing trends within the financials. I work closely with several agricultural lenders to understand farm relationships and how we can better serve our customers.

Once the lender finalizes the structure and request, then I begin to dig into the numbers while laying out the strengths and weaknesses of the farm operation without bias. After my analysis is complete and further discussion with the lender, the proposal goes through the proper approval channels dependent on the size of the request. In addition, I work with others in our agriculture department to put new efficiencies into place to improve the overall customer experience, monitor internal reporting requirements and go on joint farm calls.

Tell us about your role on the Green County Farm Bureau Board of Directors.

I have been on the board since 2018 and so far, it has been a great experience. I enjoy that our board gets along very well and works together to accomplish goals. Green County is unique as the majority of our board is younger than 40, however, we have great mentors and role models who are actively involved in our county for us younger members to learn from.

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

Although I am young, I enjoy sewing and quilting in my free time. I learned to sew from my mom and completed many 4-H projects throughout the years.

What Farm Bureau committees have you served on?

I have served on many county committees with the most involvement being in the communications, YFA and Promotion and Education committees. In the future, I’d be interested in getting more involved at the state level.

What is your favorite Farm Bureau activity?

I enjoy attending YFA events in Green County and neighboring counties. It is a great opportunity to be able to meet others who are involved in agriculture. Although I grew up on a farm, not too many others who I went to school with had a similar upbringing. I love that Farm Bureau brings together people with similar interests and if a conversation revolves around cows, corn or tractors - it is perfectly acceptable.

Is there anything else that you want to add?

Fun fact for those of you who enjoy chemistry. My initials are AGS with Silver being my last name. Ag is the chemical symbol for silver on the Periodic Table of Elements. wfbf.com

35

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WISCONSIN FARM BUREAU FEDERATION

The following photos were shared by Grant County Farm Bureau member Tammy Wiedenbeck. To see more of her work, visit: Instagram: @tammywiedenbeck Twitter: @tammywiedenbeck Pinterest: @wiede51

Facebook: @riverviewphotography. tammywiedenbeck

“We take photos as a return ticket to a moment otherwise gone.”

This is a quote that Tammy Wiedenbeck uses to explain why she never misses a moment to snap a picture. Although Tammy began taking photos for fun of scenes around her family’s farm at a young age, she unexpectedly stumbled into a photography career as she got older.

She has taken photos of everything from graduating seniors, families, and engagements to goats, horses and videography. Her favorite sessions, however, will always be the types of media that promote and show the beauty and passion she has for agriculture.

OCTOBER | NOVEMBER 2021

wfbf.com

37

AG IN THE CLASSROOM

Book of the Year and Essay Contest Topic Announced W

isconsin Ag in the Classroom kicked off the 20212022 school year by announcing the Book of the Year, “Popcorn Country” written by Cris Peterson.

Each year, the Ag in the Classroom program holds an essay contest in conjunction with the Book of the Year for fourthand fifth-grade students throughout the state. This year’s essay contest topic is, ‘What’s Popping in Wisconsin? The value of corn to our economy!’

Author Cris Peterson offers a step-by-step examination of the history and science behind America’s favorite snack. With photographs by David R. Lundquist, readers get a view of how popcorn is planted, grown, harvested, processed, tested and shipped all over the world. The book also covers the history of popcorn and how it became so popular in the U.S. Accompanying lessons from the National Ag in the Classroom and the Popcorn Board are aligned to educational standards and are available online for teachers, students and volunteers to use in promoting and preparing essays.

“We are so excited to have another of Cris’ books with her gifted writing and excellent photographs,” said Wisconsin Ag in the Classroom Coordinator Darlene Arneson. “The book does

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an excellent job explaining how popcorn is grown and processed into one of America’s favorite snacks. The essay contest focuses on the many uses of the various types of corn, but especially popcorn, in the snacks we eat along with their importance to Wisconsin’s economy.”

Essay submissions must be 100 to 300 words in length and will be judged on content, grammar, spelling and neatness.

This year students must make three references to Wisconsin agriculture. The essay contest rules, lesson plans and sample classroom activities are located at wisagclassroom.org/eventsactivities/essay-contest. Essays are due April 1, 2022.

The contest is sponsored by We Energies, Wisconsin Soybean Marketing Board, Wisconsin Corn and the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Foundation.

Nine district winners will be selected with one being chosen as the state winner in May. Each district winner will receive a classroom presentation for his or her class. Last year, more than 1,400 students participated in the contest.

Questions about the book or essay contest can be directed to Wisconsin Ag in the Classroom Coordinator Darlene Arneson at darneson@wfbf.com.

WISCONSIN FARM BUREAU FEDERATION

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY MICHELLE HERRICKS

The Little Essay that Could T

By Cassie Sonnentag

his past spring when Devin Herricks, 11, of Cashton set about to write an essay about soybeans in his fourth-grade class, he thought it was an average homework assignment. Little did he know, his essay would ultimately land on the desk of President Joe Biden.

As a student in Mrs. Beth Lee’s Devin is pictured with President Biden class at Cashton and his little brother, Dylan.

Elementary, Devin assumed the essay assignment was simply an opportunity to brush up on his budding writing skills.

“We had been learning about writing essays, so I thought it was a practice assignment,” Devin said.

As a part of the 2021 Wisconsin Ag in the Classroom essay contest, Devin and his classmates read Wisconsin Farm Bureau’s 2020-2021 Book of the Year, “Full of Beans: Henry Ford Grows a Car” by Peggy Thomas, illustrated by Edwin Fotheringham.

Students then wrote 100- to 300-word essays surrounding the essay contest’s theme, 'How have Wisconsin soybean farmers fueled Wisconsin’s economy?'

Being raised on his family’s dairy farm, Devin was fascinated with the essay topic.

“We have dairy cows, corn, alfalfa, rye and oats,” Devin explained. “I knew you could feed beef with soybeans, but it was unbelievable to learn what soybeans could be made into. I learned that soybeans are more than just to eat.”

Devin was named the Monroe County Farm Bureau and District 4 winner in the 2021 Wisconsin Ag in the Classroom essay contest and served as one of nine finalists in the state competition. He was surprised to learn he had won.

“I didn’t know it had been submitted for a contest until I was presented with the county award in class,” Devin said. “One day, we were called outside for a special presentation regarding the soybean essay, which is when I learned I was the District 4 winner, as well.”

Farming is a family affair for Devin’s family including his parents, Dan and Michelle, and younger brother, Dylan, 6. Each has responsibilities on their 600-cow dairy farm that is owned in a partnership with Devin’s grandparents, Jack and Pat Herricks.

This past June, the Herricks family was informed that President Biden would be visiting in nearby La Crosse. Michelle jumped at the opportunity to contact him.

OCTOBER | NOVEMBER 2021

“Prior to President Biden’s visit, I wrote a letter inviting him to the farm,” Michelle said. “I was shocked when the White House called informing us that they had received our letter and that, while coming to the farm was not feasible, they invited us to meet the president in La Crosse.”

The family graciously accepted the invitation and attended the president’s address focused on infrastructure at La Crosse’s Multiple Transit Utility headquarters on June 29. Before the address, the Herricks family met and were introduced to the president.

The president said something that sparked an idea in Devin’s mind.

“The president mentioned farming and even soybeans. I mentioned my essay to him and he said he would really like to read it,” Devin said.

“We were given his aide’s email to send him Devin’s essay,” Michelle said. “To be honest, none of us expected him to actually read it.”

Two weeks later, on July 14, the family opened the mailbox surprised to see an envelope with a return address for the White House.

“We thought it was a picture of us with the president from the White House photographer, but we opened it to find a letter from the president thanking Devin and praising him for a job well done,” Michelle said.

In his letter, the president thanked the family for joining him in La Crosse and shared what he had learned from Devin’s essay.

Devin said the experience taught him a valuable lesson.

“It’s amazing how one assignment could end up in all these different places,” Devin said.

Michelle credits Devin’s teacher for the role she played in his education.

“All of this is thanks to his teacher; Cashton is blessed with an amazing staff of teachers,” Michelle said. “He really learned a lot from Beth Lee and she’s the one to thank that he even had this opportunity.”

Devin plans to participate in the 2022 essay contest, which is open to fourth- and fifth-grade students. In the meantime, he’s working with his grandpa to implement some changes on the farm.

Devin said, “I’m trying to convince Grandpa Jack that it’s time to grow some soybeans on our farm.” wfbf.com

39

AG IN THE CLASSROOM

Popping-In for the Back-to-School Kick-Offs W

isconsin Ag in the Classroom introduced its 2021-2022 book of the year and essay contest topic at two Back to School Kick-Offs held at Farm Wisconsin Discovery Center in Manitowoc and Chippewa Valley Museum in Eau Claire.

Participants included teachers, volunteers and Farm Bureau staff. “Popcorn Country” by Cris Peterson and photographs by David R. Lundquist is the book and the essay topic is, “What’s Popping in Wisconsin? The value of corn to our economy!”

Thanks to essay contest sponsors We Energies, Wisconsin Corn, Wisconsin Soybean Marketing Board and the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Foundation, each participant received a free copy of “Popcorn Country” and other educational resources.

Chippewa Valley Museum

The group also learned about the 2021-2022 calendar of events, upcoming grants and scholarships, teacher award program and new resources that Ag in the Classroom on a state and national levels have to offer.

The groups also got to tour the venues. Abigail Martin, program manager, led a tour of Farm Wisconsin and Karen Jacobson, museum educator at Chippewa Valley Museum, led participants through the museum tour via flashlight as a storm took out the power in the museum area of the building.

YouTube videos about the book, essay contest and other topics covered are available on the Wisconsin Ag in the Classroom channel.

For more information, visit wisagclassroom.org.

Farm Wisconsin Discovery Center

“Barn at Night” Book Available at WFBF Annual Meeting T

he American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture is working with state Farm Bureaus to offer copies of “Barn at Night,” a hardcover book by Michelle Houts, illustrated by Jen Betton, at their annual meetings.

Wisconsin Farm Bureau Foundation has ordered 100 copies of the book that will be sold for $20 as a fundraiser. The book is a product of the AFBFA’s Feeding Minds Press, which helps provide accurate and engaging books about agriculture.

There are adventures at night when growing up on the farm. An after-dark journey out to the barn, even on the coldest winter evening, can be a warm and welcoming scene. Who is awake?

Who is asleep? And who is just making their first appearance in the barn?

40

Michelle Houts' lyrical poetry paired with Jen Betton’s glowing watercolors create a warm and wonderful bedtime story – best shared together.

The books will be available at the Silent Auction check-in table in the exhibit hall on Saturday and Sunday of the WFBF Annual Meeting.

For more information, please contact Darlene Arneson at darneson@wfbf.com.

WISCONSIN FARM BUREAU FEDERATION

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Support the Foundation at the WFBF Annual Meeting

F

arm Bureau members can get items ready to donate now for the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Foundation Silent Auction.

Due to the generosity of members, county Farm Bureau programs, businesses and sponsors, a large selection of items will be offered again this year. The auction runs Saturday and Sunday during the WFBF Annual Meeting.

If you want to donate an item to the Silent Auction, forms can be downloaded at wfbf.com/aboutwfbf/ foundation/silentauction.

Please, no live animals or frozen items. We ask that items be new unless a vintage or antique. If you are bringing a gift certificate or gift card, please make a copy of it. The copy will be on the bidding table and the buyer will receive the original upon check out.

Please send the donation form to the WFBF Office by Nov. 23.

Donation Ideas

• Themed baskets • Local products from your county • Gift certificates for hotels, golf, stores and spas • Kids’ themed baskets • Handmade items • Prints • Toy farm machinery • Sports-related items • Jewelry • Tools and accessories needed on the farm • Safety equipment • Food gift baskets • Beer, wine or cheese baskets • Travel items • Book sets OCTOBER | NOVEMBER 2021

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FOUNDATION

In Memory of Dan Poulson $10,382.50 was donated in memory of former WFBF President Dan Poulson who passed away in July.

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

John Ainsworth Dean and Sue Andersen John and Darlene Arneson Carol Bartholomew Margaret Bealhen Timothy and Gayle Beck Tom and Jill Bennwitz James Block Carl Casper B ecky Schollian and Dan Uminski Kirk and Linda Danforth Dave and Kim Daniels Amy Demeter David and Barbara Diercks Jeff and Mary Fuller Sabrina Gentile Perry Goetsch T roy and Rhonda Greenberg David and Jean Grochowski Melissa Gross Clayton Hansen Bill and Nancy Hanson R ichard and Cheryl Hinkforth Jim and Gayle Holte

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Jeanne Hovey Steven and Dawn Jones Wendy Kannel Karen Klatt Michael Klingler R yan and Cheri Klussendorf/ Klussendorf Family David Kruschke Edith Lauscher Bob and Lisa Leege Jeff and Karen Lyon Ronald and Doris Marsh Jack and Marilyn Meffert Rich and Darci Meili T homas and Tracey Novak/ Pleasant Valley Acres, LLC T homas and Joan Oberhaus Doug and Tracy Pape Peter and Annette Pelizza D an Poulson Memorial Fund Daniel and Julie Rabay Melissa Rabay Kay Schmidt L ynn Siekmann and Ryan Goth

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Tyler Troiola Donna Walters James and Holly Wenzel William and Vicki Wickland Wilma Witter R oger and Laura Zimmerman A merican Agricultural Insurance Dodge County Farm Bureau InSight FS Jefferson County Farm Bureau Kenosha County Farm Bureau Krentz Family Dairy, Inc M ilwaukee County Farm Bureau Ozaukee County Farm Bureau Racine County Farm Bureau R ural Mutual Insurance Company St. Croix County Farm Bureau Walworth County Farm Bureau W ashington County Farm Bureau W aukesha County Farm Bureau

Thank You

to the Following WFB Foundation Donors: • LuAnn Rasmussen in memory of Clifford Nysse • Dean Andersen in memory of Vicki Raatz • Carol Bartholomew in memory of Jerry Thelen • Carl Casper in memory of Jerry Thelen

• Benevity Community Impact Fund • Fred Gjondla • Bill and Mary Bruins (Donations were made between July 26 and Sept. 29 2021)

About the

Founda tion

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.

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WISCONSIN FARM BUREAU FEDERATION

Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation’s

2022

Rural Route WISCONSIN FARM BUREAU FEDERATION®’S

Statement of Ownership

March 25-26

Holiday Inn, Stevens Point Whether you are new to Farm Bureau or a seasoned Farm Bureau leader in your county, the 2022 Wisconsin Farm Bureau IGNITE Conference is for you.

This conference is designed to help members: • Better understand how Farm Bureau works • Learn about innovative county Farm Bureau programs • Grow your knowledge of agriculture issues • Network with other Farm Bureau leaders • Become informed on roles and responsibilities within the county Farm Bureau • Be trained to share your agriculture and Farm Bureau story • Discover how you can engage other members to become active in your county Farm Bureau.

This highly engaging and motivating conference is open to all Farm Bureau members who are interested in igniting a spark and taking their county Farm Bureau to the next level.

Make plans now to attend!

Presented by:

Rural Mutual Insurance Company

OCTOBER | NOVEMBER 2021

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Golfers

‘Swing in’

Support for Foundation

T

he Wisconsin Ag Open 2021 was held on Sept. 14 at The Oaks Golf Course in Cottage Grove.

There were 101 golfers and five volunteers at the event.

Sponsors help offset the expenses for the event.

Thank you to:

Thanks to Farm Bureau, Rural Mutual and AON staff and volunteers who assisted.

Congratulations Winners!

Par 3 Game on Hole 7 (50/50 drawing: $255) Winner: Jenni Zinda-Mancl

Box Lunch Sponsor

Putting contest

Club House Sponsors

Ball Toss

• AON Benfield

Winner: Jim Salm

• American Agricultural Insurance Company • BMO Harris Bank • Bug Tussel Wireless, LLC • Chippewa County Farm Bureau

• Lincoln Financial Group • M3 Insurance • Rural Mutual Insurance Company • Stroud, Willink & Howard LLC

• Dairy Business Association • Krentz Family Dairy • Mighty Grand Dairy, LLC: Dave and Kim Daniels • Northwest Insurance

Agency, LLC: Carl Thomforhda • Strohm Ballweg, LLP • W isconsin State Cranberry Association

• Bug Tussel Wireless, LLC • Green Bay Packers • Homeland Dairy • John and Darlene Arneson • Rural Mutual Insurance Company • Sam and Julie Skemp

• The Oaks • Wisconsin Beef Council • W isconsin Farm Bureau Federation • WFBF Leadership Institute, Class 13

Hole Sponsors

Door Prize, Raffle and Registration Donors

Winner: Rick Freund

Hole Contests (One round of golf at The Oaks) 1- Long putt: Mark Boyke 3- Longest drive (men): Darrin Pulsfus 4- Longest drive in fairway (women): Rosie Lisowe 6- Closest to 150-yard marker (center of fairway): Joel Bruins 7- Long putt: Al Jasperson 8- Closest to pin in two: Darrin Pulsfus 9- Closest to pin any shot except a putt: Dan Merk

11- Long putt: Team Beckstrand 12- Closest to pin in two: Rick Freund 13- Closest to pin: Duane Olson 14- Closest to 150 marker: Kurt Ballweg 15- Longest drive in fairway (men): Darrin Pulsfus 16- Closest to 150 yard marker: Mike Immel 18- Long putt: Tammy Vaassen

Low Team Score (4 – $30 Kwik Trip gift cards)

Team (Score of -14): Kurt Johnson, Brad Damon, Darrin Pulsfus and Mitch Deprey

Unused Mulligan Drawing ($25 Kwik Trip gift card) Winner: Jim Salm

• Save the Date • 2022 Wisconsin Ag Open • Tuesday, Sept. 13 • The Oaks, Cottage Grove • 44

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WISCONSIN FARM BUREAU FEDERATION

RURAL MUTUAL

Rural Mutual Agents Give Back to Local Communities R ural Mutual Insurance continues to ask themselves, “What more can we do to support our customers and communities to help keep Wisconsin strong?”

From our office in Madison and agent locations throughout Wisconsin, we are involved with organizations to give back to our communities. With agents throughout the state, we’ve seen a generous outpouring of donations from our agents in their local communities.

Travis Zuidervaart of Waunakee donated to the DeForest FFA. Throughout high school, Travis was a member of FFA and sees the value in the many life lessons learned. He wanted to allow other students to do the same.

Victor Magnus of Wautoma donated to TreeHouse Central.

TreeHouse helps teens build relationships Victor Magnus and resiliency rooted in living hope. TreeHouse hosts programs to give teens a safe space to find support and belonging. Through mentorships, retreats and other off-site activities, teens can build deeper relationships with peers and caring adults.

Bill Dorrance of West Bend donated to three organizations in his community: Exodus House, The Matthew Project and Karl’s Place. Exodus House Residential Treatment Facility counsels and treats adult men struggling with alcohol and drug addiction and equips them with new attitudes and lifestyles for a successful transition to a productive future. The Matthew Project is a nonprofit counseling group that serves low-income

individuals and also counsels for Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection to help farmers with mental health challenges. Karl’s Place is a program of Family Promise of Washington County. It is a singles shelter available to men and women at risk of homelessness in Washington County.

Tyler Holten of Ridgeland donated to the Barron FFA. This donation will be used to pay dues for the members so they can join FFA for free. Tyler chose this group because they are dedicated to the promotion of agriculture industries locally and he wanted students to have the opportunity to be part of it.

Marian Guerrero of Appleton donated to Harbor House for Domestic Abuse Programs. Harbor House exists to break the stigma of abuse, offer refuge to survivors and create pathways to empowerment. In addition to offering programs and services that directly assist victims and survivors of domestic abuse, they work to build the community’s capacity to respond to abuse.

Brian Deffner of Shawano donated to the Wittenberg Food Pantry. The food pantry provides food and hygiene items to families that live in the Wittenberg-Birnamwood School District. Currently, they serve about 55 families every month.

This donation will be used to cover the cost of replacing a large cooler at the food pantry.

Jared Nelson of Mount Horeb donated to the Mt. Horeb Senior Center. This agency supports and assists Seniors (60+) and their families by providing programs and services that promote well-being, independence and involvement in the community. They provide meals, health services and social programs for senior citizens in addition to loaned medical equipment at no cost. This donation will specifically be used to help purchase new meal serving equipment for the kitchen.

As a Wisconsin-only company, Rural Mutual strives to make Wisconsin a better place to live. To find a local agent near you, visit RuralMutual.com/agent.

Ward’s 50 Awarded for Thirteenth Consecutive Year R ural Mutual Insurance has been named to the 2021 Ward’s 50 group of top performing companies.

This is the 13th consecutive year Rural Mutual has been named to Ward’s 50, out of nearly 3,000 companies in the property and casualty insurance industry.

“For the 13th year in a row this recognition is an accomplishment we are very proud of,” said Rural Mutual’s Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Officer Dan Merk. “This could not have been achieved without the dedication from our employees and agents.”

Ward Group releases its annual list after analyzing and measuring the financial performance of nearly 3,000 propertycasualty companies nationwide.

OCTOBER | NOVEMBER 2021

In order to be selected, honorees such as Rural Mutual Insurance must pass a series of safety and consistency screenings in addition to recording superior performance during the previous five-year period.

Recognized companies receive a Ward’s 50 seal and are listed among the other top performers in their same category.

For policyholders, another Ward’s 50 seal means that Rural Mutual is financially secure and one of the most efficiently operated insurance providers in the country.

This recognition also reinforces Rural Mutual’s promise that when a claim happens, we will be there to help our insureds rebuild following times of unintended financial loss. wfbf.com

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Make Time for Fall Harvest Safety T

iming is everything with the fall harvest and Mother Nature doesn’t always cooperate, adding even more pressure to a short window of time that can make or break the year.

When the pressure is on there are key points to remind yourself, family and employees to make for a safe and productive harvest.

Roadway Safety The majority of roadway accidents involving farm equipment happen at dawn or dusk. The combination of farmers coming and going to fields, peak traffic times for the public and low light conditions create a perfect storm. Some important things to consider: •E nsure all equipment is properly placarded with a Wisconsin Department of Transportation slow-moving vehicle sign and appropriate yellow warning lights. The DOT provides an excellent quick resource to determine what safety precautions are required for your situation at wisconsindot.gov/Pages/ dmv/agri-eq-veh/ag-veh-safety.aspx.

• I f possible, have someone follow in a truck equipped with yellow warning lights to act as an escort vehicle. The escort vehicle should maintain a safe following distance behind the equipment to provide the operator with a buffer from other vehicles approaching too close.

Do you have a tractor that isn’t equipped with rollover protection? Did you know there is a rebate program that will cover 70% (up to $865) for the purchase and installation?

For more information, visit the National Farm Medicine Center Rollover Protection Structure Rebate Program at marshfieldresearch.org/nfmc/rops.

Recovering Stuck Vehicles Trucks get stuck. When they do, don’t get struck. Every year claims are made related to attempts to pull a piece of equipment mired into the field. Some are simply for damaged vehicles when the chain or strap snaps. Others are far more serious.

Recently, one claim involved a tractor operator using a chain to pull a straight truck. The chain failed, sending it through the back window of the tractor at a very high velocity. The operator was knocked unconscious and co-workers were forced to chase and board a moving tractor to stop it. In this scenario, another worker could have easily been run over.

A recommendation is to invest in a device similar to ‘Safe-TPull' (safe-t-pull.net). This is a positive attachment device that not only eliminates the failure potential of a rope, chain or sling; but eliminates the need for employees to get out of the vehicle to hook and unhook. This helps avoid a number of the slips, trips or falls that we see regularly from workers getting in or out of vehicles.

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If you absolutely must use something else, never use a chain. The repeated use of a chain weakens it to an unpredictable breaking point with disastrous results.

To avoid serious injury, use a wide-belted sling or strap, positioned as close to the stricken vehicle as possible, use a steady pull instead of jerking the slack out and place a heavy mat over the center portion of the sling or strap to weigh it down if it does come undone.

Hazardous Energy Control: Lockout/Tagout Lockout/Tagout is a process to ensure that before working on equipment, that potential energy sources have been isolated and rendered inoperative. Potential energy sources include electrical power, hydraulic pressure, pneumatic pressure, thermal energy, gas (energy potential as well as oxygen displacement or toxicity), gravity or mechanical (springs, belts and other moving parts).

Never work on equipment until it has been completely powered down, pressures bleed off and all parts have stopped moving. Communicate what you are doing to others onsite to ensure someone doesn’t inadvertently place a piece of equipment back into service before it’s ready.

Above all, make sure that when equipment is in operation, appropriate guards are in place. Those working around moving equipment (including power take-off driving equipment) should not wear loose-fitting clothes.

Hay Fires Ensure hay is within the proper moisture content ranges based on the type of hay and baling method.

Bales should be periodically probed to test for above-normal temperatures. Temperatures up to 140 degrees Fahrenheit are acceptable; however, once temperatures exceed 150 degrees further steps should be taken to provide better air circulation.

Once temperatures exceed 175 degrees, a fire is imminent or already present near the probe.

Call 911 and have the fire department on hand before moving hay bales. Temperatures above 200 degrees indicate a fire is present at or near the probe.

Never walk on top of hot bales. Cavities may have developed inside of the bales from the fire creating a potentially fatal collapse situation.

Visit ruralmutual.com/farm-safety for more resources.

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