Rural Route

Rural Route wisconsin Farm bureau federation’s

Fa

oct | nov 2012 • vol. 18 no. 5 | www.wfbf.com

Bruins

Looks

Back Endorsements for November 6 Elections Rising Stars Compete for YFA Awards Leopold Award Finalists Shine at Conservation

Ag in the Classroom’s

Book of the year Page 39

The lifeblood of America .

They’re the humble heroes who rise before dawn and battle the elements. They put clothes on our backs and food on our tables. Their genuine values and tireless work ethic are an inspiration to us all. We appreciate all that America’s farmers do and invite you to join us in saying thanks at www.fbfs.com/SayThanksToAFarmer.

contents

vol. 18 no. 5

26 8

14

28

features

articles

departments

8

6

Wolves

6

news

Wisconsin’s wolf hunting season began October 15.

30

Opinion member benefits

ENDORSEMENTS

34 36

Leadership

38

ag in the classroom

42

foundation

46

Rural Mutual

LEOPOLD AWARD Four farm families are finalists for a prestigious conservation award.

14

BRUINS

12

As Bill Bruins prepares to retire as WFBF President in December, he takes a look back.

26

STEPP

Volunteers for Agriculture has endorsed candidates in key Senate and Assembly races.

18

Customer service is key for this DNR Secretary.

28

SALTER Outagamie County Farm Bureau President is passionate about his pigs.

ACHIEVEMENT AWARD Ten young farmers will vie for YFA’s big award.

24

TRAFFIC RULES Rural motorists must understand new rules for no passing zones.

cover Photo by: casey langan

Ag in the Classroom’s Book of the Year october | november 2012

P. 39 www.wfbf.com

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Rural Route wisconsin Farm bureau federation’s

Editor’s Note

{from Casey Langan}

Editor Casey Langan

A

s I note elsewhere in this issue, Bill Bruins is not a nostalgic guy. Nor is he the type that wants a big fuss made over his upcoming retirement as our organization’s president, but I looked forward to sharing the story of the man who has spent the last nine years in the president’s chair.

We covered a lot of ground during an interview on his back porch. One thing that did not make it into the story was his split-personality when it comes to technology. He is a strong proponent that technology is what is going to allow agriculture to feed a hungry world in the future. Yet, he is not a techie by any stretch of the imagination. Visitors to the WFBF offices might notice that his office is the only one without a computer in it! We are going to miss his laugh and endless-enthusiasm in the office.

Bill will preside over one more WFBF Annual Meeting and Young Farmer and Agriculturist Conference this November 30 through December 3 at the Kalahari Resort in Wisconsin Dells. I hope you will make plans to be there to connect with other Farm Bureau members.

‘Connect’ is the event’s theme, and

the importance of connecting with consumers, media, lawmakers, and other farmers and agriculturists is something I have stressed to attendees at the five county annual meetings (Dane, Dodge, Green Lake, Racine and Wood) that I spoke at this fall.

My message to members included stories of working in our family’s tobacco fields. Grandpa was always a stickler about squeezing in one extra row on each field. I took his advice and challenged Farm Bureau members to plant just one more row when it comes to advocating for agriculture.

That extra row could be lots of things.

Maybe it is signing up for Facebook or driving someone to the polls on Election Day, or even taking a second look at what Ag in the Classroom, the Farm Bureau Institute, Ag Women’s Summit, WFB Foundation or Rural Mutual Insurance has to offer.

Maybe, most importantly, you will acknowledge the concerns that others have about agriculture and assure them that the picture of ag that its detractors try to paint is not accurate. Simply talk to people about what you do. If that is outside your comfort zone, then let this magazine do the talking. Give it to someone you think should know more about what Farm Bureau does.

Collectively we accomplish more together than we ever could alone.

Bill Bruins said that is something he likes most about Farm Bureau. It was something I learned in the tobacco field.

These pages are proof of it.

Casey Langan Rural Route Editor Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation

608.828.5711

Contributor Amy Manske 608.828.5706

Address of Publication Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation 1241 John Q. Hammons Dr. PO Box 5550 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) www.wfbf.com info.demingway@wfbf.com

WFBF Board of Directors Bill Bruins, Waupun, (President) Richard Gorder, Mineral Point, (Vice President) Dave Daniels, Union Grove Jerry Bradley, Sun Prairie Joe Bragger, Independence Rosie Lisowe, Chilton Wayne Staidl, Peshtigo Don Radtke, Merrill Jim Holte, Elk Mound

Women’s Committee Chair Kathleen Papcke, Elkhorn

Young Farmer and Agriculturist Committee Chair Josh Calaway, Vesper Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation’s Rural Route (ISSN 39940) (USPS 1082-1368), 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.

Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation’s Rural Route is produced for the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation by Kennedy Communications, LTD., 9 Odana Court, Suite 200, Madison, WI 53711, 608.288.9000. All rights reserved. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in whole or part without written consent.

For advertising rates and information, please contact Annie Mares at 608.443.0956 or amares@kennedyc.com.

The fact a product is advertised in the Rural Route should not be taken as an endorsement.

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Farm Bureau® Young Farmer and Agriculturist Program

YFA GIVES YOU A LEG UP

Being involved in YFA gives young members an advantage!

Farm Bureau’s Young Farmer and Agriculturist program prepares members for their future in agriculture by providing networking opportunities and training on leadership, ag issues, business and more.

Three national winners this year will get their choice of a 2013 Chevrolet Silverado or 2013 GMC Sierra, courtesy of GM, to showcase the best of the best in Achievement Award, Discussion Meet and Excellence in Ag competitions. National winners will also receive paid registration to the 2013 YF&R Leadership Conference in Phoenix, Arizona, February 8-11.

National runners-up receive a Case IH Farmall tractor, courtesy of Case IH, and a $2,500 cash prize and STIHL Farm Boss, courtesy of STIHL. For more information about YFA competitive events and how you can get involved, contact Dale Beaty at 608.828.5714 or dbeaty@wfbf.com or visit wfbf.com.

You may also contact the American Farm Bureau Federation® at yfr@fb.org or 202.406.3600.

news

Wisconsin’s Wolf Season Underway

By Paul Zimmerman

State legislation was passed last spring that established an annual wolf hunting and trapping season from October 15 until the end of February. The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is directed to limit the number of wolves harvested each year to ensure a viable wolf population.

I

n July, the DNR Board approved an emergency administrative rule to establish harvest limits, permit application process and license allotments for the 2012-13 hunting season. The DNR has established six zones with a total harvest quota of 201 wolves and will issue 2,010 licenses (10-times the quota).

The number of licenses could be lowered if Native American tribes declare that they intend to utilize part of the harvest quota. Tribes can claim up to 50 percent of the quota. However, the tribes did not claim any part of the quota for the initial hunting season.

Nearly 20,000 hunters and trappers applied for permits earlier this year.

The application fee was $10. Permits were awarded based on a random drawing.

Unsuccessful applicants will be awarded a preference point toward future hunting season drawings.

The wolf hunting and trapping regulations also included a wolf depredation and abatement program similar to other wildlife damage rules with the following provisions: • Requirement of wolf hunter access where compensation is received.

• Requirement that DNR staff or its

designees be allowed access to investigate depredations.

• Allowing others to assist a landowner with wolf control activities if the person assisting has a hunting license.

• Allowing up to five

calves to be claimed

for compensation for

every calf confirmed to

be depredated by a wolf.

• Process for setting compensation payments, with payment being made after December 31 when all the claims are submitted and wolf hunting revenues are known.

• Claims will be prorated if necessary.

As of press time, 17 calf depredations have been confirmed and another 257 calves are missing in 2012.

Total estimated value of these 274 calves is about $200,000.

WFBF supported establishing a wolf hunting season and sent a joint letter with the Wisconsin Cattlemen’s Association to the DNR Board expressing this support.

Litigation was pursued to stop the wolf hunt by animal activists groups. They claimed that it was inhumane to allow the use of dogs to hunt wolves. A judge ruled that dogs could not be used, but the hunt could proceed.

Nearly

20,000

hunters and trappers applied for permits.

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Wisconsin Wolf Facts 1974: Wolves in Wisconsin were designated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as an endangered species. Wolves were not reintroduced into Wisconsin, but moved here on there own from Minnesota and Michigan.

1980: The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) estimated that there were 25 wolves in Wisconsin.

1989: DNR approved a wolf recovery plan that intended to reclassify wolves from an endangered species to a threatened species once the population remained at or above 80 wolves for three years.

1990s: The wolf population increased significantly in Wisconsin. By the end of the decade, the DNR estimated that there were 205 wolves in the state. In 1999, the DNR approved a wolf management plan that intended to de-list the wolves because there were 205 wolves estimated to be within the state.

2003 and 2007: Wolves were federally reclassified from ‘endangered’ to ‘threatened’ by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. In each instance, litigation stopped the delisting from occurring.

2012: In January, wolves were delisted from the endangered species act by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Wisconsin’s wolf population is now estimated at 850 or more. DNR’s wolf management plan, adopted in 1999, set a goal at 350 wolves.

wisconsin farm bureau federation

Five Congressmen Receive

‘Friend of the Farm Bureau’ Five of Wisconsin’s 10 federal lawmakers were recently recognized with ‘Friend of Farm Bureau’ awards.

T

he Friend of Farm Bureau award is presented every two years to lawmakers who have advocated for agriculture during the previous two-year congressional session. The award recognizes those members who support the policies that help farmers and ranchers obtain profitability with less regulatory interference, and increase demand for U.S. farm products through new uses and enhanced trade opportunities.

The voting records of U.S. Representatives Paul Ryan, Tom Petri, Jim Sensenbrenner, Reid Ribble and Sean Duffy met the requirements for the award. Each was approved by the American Farm Bureau Federation Board of Directors.

Above: WFBF President Bill Bruins with Congressman Sean Duffy.

At right: Bruins and Congressman Reid Ribble.

Below: Congressman Tom Petri and Bruins.

“Wisconsin farm families appreciate the work these congressmen did for our state’s agricultural economy,” said WFBF President Bill Bruins. “The passage of three bilateral free trade agreements with the nations of South Korea, Colombia and Panama has opened new opportunities for Wisconsin agriculture in those foreign markets.” october | november 2012

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news

Leopold Conservation Award Finalists F

our Wisconsin farm families are finalists for the third Leopold Conservation Award from the Sand County Foundation and Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation. The winner will be announced on November 14 in Madison at the meeting of the citizen board for the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection.

A special presentation for the winner and finalists will take place December 2 at the WFBF Annual Meeting in Wisconsin Dells. The winner will receive $10,000 and a Leopold crystal.

The first two recipients of the Leopold Conservation Award, under the Sand County Foundation and Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation partnership, were the Bragger family from Independence in Buffalo County and the Koepke family from Oconomowoc in Waukesha County.

The award is now presented annually in eight states to private landowners who practice responsible land stewardship and management. The Leopold Conservation Award in Wisconsin is made possible through the generous support of the Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation, American Transmission Company (ATC), Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation, Rural Mutual Insurance Company and Farm Credit.

Jim and Val Hebbe, Princeton (Green Lake County) Jim Hebbe has been implementing conservation practices for 26 years, and has shared his ideas with other farmers as the Green Lake County Conservationist since 1984. He and his wife, Val, raise 1,100 acres of corn, soybeans, wheat and alfalfa in central Wisconsin. In addition to no-till planting all of the crops, he has worked to develop numerous conservation systems that complement each other, which in turn decreases erosion and increases residue cover on the land. The farm includes land with a significant slope draining into a Class 1 Trout Stream. A water and sediment basin was constructed to help control and reduce field runoff into the stream. Native prairie grasses were planted in a field that borders the creek. Twenty-five acres of evergreen

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trees were planted on the farm with light and sandy soil. In 1985, he helped develop conservation standards for the Farmland Preservation Program to help participants control soil erosion at sustainable levels.

Justin and Lynn Isherwood, Plover (Portage County)

Justin and Lynn od Isherwood’s 157-year-old farm Just in and Lynn Isherwo consists of 1,500 acres, including 260 acres of woodland. They specialize in the production of vegetables, primarily potatoes and grain. For the Isherwoods, an “ethic of landedness” is at the heart of their agricultural operation. Justin played a prominent role in the development of Healthy Grown potatoes, which demand a higher level of environmental quality production standards and require enrolled farmers to commit to ecological enhancement of their non-production lands.

The Isherwoods’ farm includes four miles of stream edge, so Justin and Lynn are committed to water management to enhance wildlife habitat, and strive to make water quality a community-wide discussion through the development of a booklet that gives voice to water e b b e issues from farmers, other landowners and Val and Jim H elected officials. As an accomplished writer and farmer, Justin is dedicated to making “agriculture visible to a population ever more distant from agriculture.”

wisconsin farm bureau federation

Steve and Patricia Kling, Taylor (Jackson County)

S te v e

li n and Patricia K

g

The Klings describe their conservation ethic as a “hybrid farming system.” They began utilizing a managed intensive grazing system on their dairy farm in 1993. It has allowed them to maintain the size of their closed dairy herd while reducing input costs. They say the 65 acres of pasture produces more today than when it was strip cropped. With grazing, the cows harvest every inch of those acres. The pastures have not been tilled in 19 years, but seem more productive today. The Klings believe that rotating crops and minimal tillage have been useful in their cropping fields.

They adopted a 590 nutrient management plan and use minimal amounts of chemicals when spraying for weeds. They conduct soil tests for each field, and apply fertilizer and lime accordingly. The couple has been active with the Jackson County Farm Bureau, Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board, 4-H, Jackson County Dairy Promotion Committee, Dairy Farmers of America and the Jackson County Dairy Herd Improvement Association.

Mark Riechers, Darlington (Lafayette County) Mark and his son, Joe Riechers, produce beef, corn and soybeans on a farm located at the southern end of the driftless region in southwestern Wisconsin. The family’s approach to land and resource management is based on the recognition that soil does not need to be tilled to be productive. Their no-till planting system significantly reduces investments in energy and labor. Corn and soybean crops are grown on less than a gallon of fuel per acre each year. Grassed waterways and terraces are combined with careful residue management and crossslope planting, which help keep the farm’s soils in place, and run-off very low and clean. Off the farm, Mark Riechers has been a leader in the agricultural community, communicating about conservation and agriculture at various conferences and in several publications.

About Sand County Foundation

Jo e

and Mark Riechers

Sand County Foundation (www.sandcounty.net) is a private, non-profit conservation group based in Madison, dedicated to working with private landowners to improve habitat on their land. Sand County’s mission is to advance the use of ethical and scientifically sound land management practices and partnerships for the benefit of people and their rural landscapes. Sand County Foundation works with private landowners because the majority of the nation’s fish, wildlife and natural resources are found on private lands. The organization backs local champions, invests in civil society, and places incentives before regulation to create solutions that endure and grow. The organization encourages the exercise of private responsibility in the pursuit on the web of improved land health as an For more information, see essential alternative to many of www.leopoldconservationaward.org. the commonly used strategies in modern conservation.

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The Conversation About Food Is Happening Now — Join Us! For too long farmers and ranchers have been quiet. We’ve done what is best for our animals, the environment, our families and consumers. We’ve quietly made amazing improvements on our farms and ranches and never thought about letting consumers know what we’ve been up to.

The time has come to engage in a dialogue, and to invite influencers and consumers to the best place to have a conversation about food production: our big table. The time has come for all sectors of agriculture to come together. For all crops, livestock and agribusinesses to form one united alliance to lead these important conversations at the table. This is the mission of the U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance (USFRA).

USFRA will host The Food DialoguesSM: New York this fall. USFRA has assembled a stellar group of panelists who will present at The TimesCenter in Midtown Manhattan on November 15 for discussions on some of today’s most pressing issues concerning food production.

The Food DialoguesSM: New York℠will consist of three panel discussions addressing two very high profile agricultural topics, antibiotics and biotechnology, as well as a discussion on how mass media plays a critical role in our food choices. USFRA has assembled a group of panelists who are experts in their respective fields with various points of view on the panel topics. These experts include representatives from the Consumers Union, USAID, the American Veterinary Medical Association, and farmers and ranchers from across the country.

Additional details, including panel moderators and other speakers will be announced over the next several weeks. Individuals can register on www.fooddialogues.com to receive more information and updates on The Food DialoguesSM: New York as they become available.

The panel discussions will stream live at www.fooddialogues.com. To attend the event in-person, go to http://fooddialogues.com/ny-food-dialogues/rsvp or call 888-25-USFRA (888-258-7372) for additional details. For information about USFRA and to see video from previous Food Dialogues℠events, visit www.fooddialogues.com.

To join the conversation online, visit www.facebook.com/USFarmersandRanchers and follow USFRA on Twitter @USFRA using #FoodD.

Wholly or partially funded by one or more Checkoff programs.

news

Tommy Thompson for U.S. Senate

I

n the race to become Wisconsin’s next U.S. Senator, Tommy Thompson has the endorsement of the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation’s 11-member board of directors. The former Wisconsin Governor won a four-way primary on August 14.

He now faces Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin (D-Madison) on November 6 for the Senate seat being vacated by Sen. Herb Kohl.

“Tommy Thompson has been a strong advocate for farm families since serving in the State Assembly,” said WFBF President Bill Bruins. “It was Tommy Thompson that Wisconsin farmers have to thank for the millions they have saved in property taxes from the use value assessment of farmland.”

“As governor, he was a staunch property rights advocate who signed the state’s Right to Farm law, cut taxes 91 times, provided two-thirds funding for K-12 education, eliminated inheritance and gift taxes, and enhanced deer and bear damage claims for farmers,” Bruins said.

Thompson, a long-time Farm Bureau member, owns a herd of purebred Belted Galloway cattle and farms 700 acres of corn, soybeans and hay.

WFBF strongly endorses former Governor Thompson for the U.S. Senate and asks that you vote on November 6th.

WFBF’s political action committee, the Volunteers for Agriculture, only endorses candidates for state (not federal) races. All endorsements for congressional and presidential races come from the WFBF Board of Directors.

Farm Bureau Podcasts

Listen to all podcasts at WFBF.COM

“Our roads don’t know the difference between whether it’s manure, corn or soybeans, and basically, if it’s 15 percent over and we have the proper axel configuration, we can carry it.”

Rick Stadleman, Wisconsin Towns Association Executive Director, on his group’s support for an expansion of seasonal road weight limits when hauling manure.

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news

Volunteers for Agriculture’s Legislative Endorsements The Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation’s political action arm, the Volunteers for Agriculture Committee, has made the following endorsements in key State Assembly and Senate races in the November 6 general election.

V TE 2012 In the State Senate • Sen. Robert Cowles (R-Green Bay) 2nd Senate District • Sen. Alberta Darling (R-River Hills) 8th Senate District • Sen. Sheila Harsdorf (R-River Falls) 10th Senate District • Sen. Luther Olsen (R-Ripon) 14th Senate District • Sen. Glenn Grothman (R-West Bend) 20th Senate District • Sen. Julie Lassa (D-Stevens Point) 24th Senate District • Sen. Mary Lazich (R-New Berlin) 28th Senate District

In the State Assembly • Rep. Gary Bies (R-Sister Bay) 1st Assembly District • Rep. Al Ott (R-Forest Junction) 3rd Assembly District • Rep. Gary Tauchen (R-Bonduel) 6th Assembly District • Rep. Mark Honadel (R-South Milwaukee) 21st Assembly District • Rep. Steve Kestell (R-Elkhart Lake) 27th Assembly District • Rep. John Murtha (R-Baldwin) 29th Assembly District • Rep. Tyler August (R-Lake Geneva) 32nd Assembly District • Rep. Steve Nass (R-Whitewater) 31st Assembly District • Rep. Jeff Mursau (R-Crivitz) 36th Assembly District • Rep. Kevin Petersen (R-Waupaca) 40th Assembly District • Rep. Joan Ballweg (R-Markesan) 41st Assembly District • Rep. Keith Ripp (R-Lodi) 47th Assembly District • Rep. Travis Tranel (R-Cuba City) 49th Assembly District • Rep. Ed Brooks (R-Reedsburg) 50th Assembly District • Rep. Howard Marklein (R-Spring Green) 51st Assembly District • Rep. Pat Strachota (R-West Bend) 58th Assembly District • Rep. Dan LeMahieu (R-Cascade) 59th Assembly District • Rep. Robin Vos (R-Burlington) 63rd Assembly District • Rep. Scott Suder (R-Abbotsford) 69th Assembly District • Rep. Amy Sue Vruwink (D-Milladore) 70th Assembly District

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• Rep. Jeff Stone (R-Greendale) 82nd Assembly District • Rep. Mary Williams (R-Medford) 87th Assembly District • Rep. John Nygren (R-Marinette) 89th Assembly District • Rep. Chris Danou (D-Trempealeau) 92nd Assembly District • Rep. Warren Petryk (R-Eleva) 93rd Assembly District • Rep. Lee Nerison (R-Westby) 96th Assembly District “These endorsements represent the leading voices for agriculture and rural Wisconsin in our State Legislature,” said Paul Zimmerman, Executive Director of Governmental Relations for the Wisconsin Farm Bureau.

This year’s redistricting process redrew the state’s Assembly map. As a result, two legislative incumbents were drawn into the new 61st Assembly District: Rep. Samantha Kerkman (R-Genoa City) and Rep. John Steinbrink (D-Pleasant Prairie). Both are past recipients of Farm Bureau’s ‘Friend of Agriculture’ award for their support of agricultural issues. The VFA decided to support both candidates.

The VFA will also endorse two candidates In the State Assembly’s 43rd Assembly District where incumbent Rep. Evan Wynn (R-Whitewater) is being challenged by Rep. Andy Jorgensen (D-Fort Atkinson). Rep. Jorgenson currently represents the 37th Assembly District but is moving into the newly drawn 43rd Assembly District.

Given their favorable voting records toward agriculture, VFA members decided to endorse both candidates.

The Volunteers for Agriculture Committee is comprised of 18 farmers from across the state. It was formed to give farmers a more direct role in electing leaders who best represent agriculture’s interests.

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Rural Route wisconsin Farm bureau federation’s

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13

Bruins

Looks

Back

By Casey Langan

B

ill Bruins is not a nostalgic man.

“It’s not who I am,” he said during a recent interview on the deck of his rural Waupun home. “It’s not time for that. I still have things to do and missions to accomplish. It doesn’t pay to look back, but to learn.”

But look back is what we did as Bruins prepares to wrap up his nine-year tenure as president of the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation and Rural Mutual Insurance Company in December.

Over the course of an hour, Bruins filled in the gaps of how a once painfully-shy child came to lead the state’s largest general farm organization, and how singing helped make it possible.

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Roots Run Deep On one hand, you could say that Bruins never made it very far. He and his wife, Mary, live in a new home next to the farm he grew up on.

Born the second youngest of five children, he remembers a childhood spent outside by the river and working with animals.

“My roots go deep in agriculture. I love every facet of it,” he said. “It just became a part of my life.”

Over the years his family farm has evolved into a family partnership known as Homeland Dairy in rural Fond du Lac County. It consists of a 550-cow dairy and a nearby beef farm where Holstein steers are raised. His two sons,

wisconsin farm bureau federation

WITH HONORS This fall, retiring WFBF President Bill Bruins will be honored with the Honorary American FFA Degree in Indianapolis. He was also chosen for the Wisconsin Agricultural and Life Sciences Alumni Association’s 40 in 40 Impact Award.

october | november 2012

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15

1956

1974

Jon and Joel, have taken over dayto-day operations of the farms.

“I couldn’t ask for better business partners,” he said with pride. “They really stepped it up a notch when I became (WFBF) president.”

Bruins knows something about having to step it up.

“When I was 10, my only brother, who is eight years my senior, left for college in Michigan. I’ve forgiven him, but all of a sudden I became number one chore boy.”

Although that chore boy now finds himself in board and hearing rooms across Wisconsin and the nation, his mind is always thinking of new ways to do things around the farm.

“Sometimes my boys tell me, ‘Can’t you just shut your mind off?’” he said with a laugh.

A Farm Career Comes Into Focus When asked if he ever thought about being anything other than a farmer, Bruins recalled how he felt after his three older siblings had all left home for college.

Although he had taken collegeprep courses instead of agriculture

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classes in high school, he said “Nobody had really asked me if I was going to go. I wasn’t ready to make hard and fast decisions in my life.”

He ended up enrolling at nearby UW-Oshkosh like his sister, Gail, before him. He lived in the dorms, but came home every weekend to farm.

“I hated the city life,” he said.

“It was that year I realized I didn’t want to do anything but farm.”

Eager to begin farming full-time with his father, he spent the next two winters attending the UW-Madison’s Farm & Industry Short Course.

Initially, he “farmed for a wage” from his father, but formed a partnership after becoming engaged to Mary in 1970. They would only farm together for the next six years before his father died unexpectedly at the age of 62.

“I was 28 years old, married with four young kids and in charge of 100 cows,” he said.

His father had interests in other farms, which added to the complexity of selling the estate.

“I learned a lot about the business aspects of farming and generational transfer, and how you don’t want to do it,” he said. “It’s critical to

the future success of farming. It did a lot to shape my view.”

A Revelation For 30 years, Bruins was part of a gospel quartet called The Revelations.

Introducing each song gave him exposure to speaking in front of an audience and thinking on his feet.

“It gets you to get over your stage fright,” he said. “I had been a very shy kid.”

“We bought and paid for two vans, and basically wore them out,” he said of the 80 to 90 performances annually at over 500 different churches in the Midwest.

The Revelations also recorded many records and cassettes during the 1970s and 80s.

“I have no idea how I managed to do all that, other than having Mary to hold down the fort. She’s allowed me to be what I’ve become,” he said.

First Farm Bureau Memories With an early interest in the political aspects of Farm Bureau, it was Mark Landmark, a former field representative, and Jim Warner who convinced Bruins to participate in his

wisconsin farm bureau federation

1974

first Young Farmer Discussion Meet.

After winning the district meet, the state competition was set for a Sunday in Madison. Although the tongue of a manure spreader had recently broken Bill’s father’s foot, the discussion meet alternate declined to participate.

“So with 100 cows to milk, Mary and I did chores and raced to Madison. I did the quarter, semi and finals, and took off for home to milk and do chores again,” Bill recalled. “Around nine or ten that night the Farm Bureau board director for District 5 stopped by my house to tell me I had won.”

“I went on to compete in St. Louis,” he said. “That was the start of my Farm Bureau career. I was hooked.”

He called serving one year on the state Farm Bureau board of directors as chairman of the state Young Farmer Committee a “fantastic learning experience.”

“I remember learning a ton, but naïve was probably not a strong enough word to describe what I was,” he added.

Leadership Lessons Don Haldeman was president at the time, and Bruins took note of

what makes a good board member and how meetings should be run. His involvement has never stopped at Farm Bureau. He and Mary spent a decade as general leaders for a 4-H club, and he has attended countless meetings for his church and beloved Alto Fair.

“I enjoy working with people,” he said.

“You never get all you want working collectively, but you always get more than you would have working by yourself.”

Recently, he has been elected to the Waupun Board of Education and was appointed by Governor Scott Walker to the state’s Natural Resources Board.

“Bill has brought a strong voice for agriculture to the board, something that was notably absent before,” said Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Secretary Cathy Stepp.

With agriculture encompassing nearly 15 million acres of Wisconsin’s landscape, there is no shortage of ways that agriculture touches water and wildlife issues. Bruins says the best praise he has been given about his role on the DNR board is his common sense approach.

“I think it comes from running a farm. They say necessity is the mother of invention. No where is that more evident than on a farm where you can’t

walk away from a problem. You just find a way to fix it. That’s the approach I take to the DNR board,” Bruins said.

The ability to take criticism is “a must” when assuming a leadership position; Bruins said how to react to it correctly is invaluable.

A New Door When former WFBF President, Dan Poulson, turned over the proverbial keys to the Farm Bureau to Bruins in 2003, it came in the form of two things, a bottle of aspirin and a small plaque that read, “Your attitude determines your altitude.”

Convinced that the organization will not miss a beat, Bruins does not plan on leaving anything for his predecessor.

When Bruins first assumed the WFBF presidency in 2003, a newspaper story noted that it was a Dutch tradition that “every new owner hangs a new door” on a farm.

Nine years later, Bruins is still proud of his Dutch heritage, and intends to remain active in Farm Bureau and use his past experiences as building blocks for the future. It will be without nostalgia that he walks out the door he hung without looking back.

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news

Farm Bureau’s

Rising Stars Ten finalists will vie for the Wisconsin Farm Bureau’s Achievement Award this December. Collectively, they represent some of the best and brightest young farmers in Wisconsin.

T

he Achievement Award is open to Farm Bureau members between the ages of 18 and 35 who have excelled in their production farming operation, understand current issues affecting agriculture, and show leadership and involvement in Farm Bureau and their local community.

Each finalist filled out a longform application by October 1.

A three-judge panel will score those applications and conduct an interview with the 10 finalists at Farm Bureau’s 2012 Annual Meeting/Young Farmer and Agriculturist Conference at the Kalahari Resort in Wisconsin Dells, November 30 through December 3.

The Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation (WFBF) co-sponsors

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this contest with GROWMARK Inc. and Rural Mutual Insurance Company. Information and applications for all YFA contests may be downloaded at wfbf.com.

Each finalist receives a $50 FAST STOP gift card from GROWMARK, Inc. This year’s state winner competes at the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 2013 Annual Meeting, January 13-16, 2013, in Nashville. The state winner will also receive a free financial plan from Rural Mutual Insurance Company and 40 hours use of a FABCO 226 skid-steer loader from FABCO Equipment Inc. Last year’s Achievement Award winners were Ryan and Cheri Klussendorf from Taylor County.

wisconsin farm bureau federation

Cory and Clare Biely

Nathan and Karyn Eckert Taylor County

Barron County

Cory and Clare Biely have been farming since 2010 in Pine River. Cory attended technical school for dairy herd management and Clare has a bachelor’s degree in veterinary studies. They own a herd of 60 registered dairy cows that they show at various shows, including World Dairy Expo. For two years, Cory has been on the county board of directors and Clare on the women’s committee. They are also members of the Dairy Holstein Association.

Nathan and Karyn Eckert are in the process of purchasing Nathan’s family farm in Medford.

At this time, Nathan and his father operate their farm as two sole-proprietorships. Since joining the farm in 2002, their combined efforts helped them to expand in almost everyway.

Karyn is currently the vice president of the Taylor County Farm Bureau and is active with Ag in the Classroom. The Eckerts also volunteer in the AgVenture tent at their county fair.

Scot and Becky Hammann live in Barron and farm 500 acres. The couple has expanded since they began the operation in 2001. They currently have about 200 cattle with 80 milk cows and also raise turkeys. The couple has four children, and the family enjoys showing their cattle at various shows. They have had three nominations for the All-American Dairy show. They are both members of the Barron County Holstein Association, Calf Grant committee and are 4-H dairy leaders.

Corey and Miranda Leis

Mark Mayer

Ozaukee County

Jeffery McNeely

Green County

Corey and Miranda Leis, of Cashton, milk 300 cows and operate 1,300 acres on their farm, which is owned jointly with Corey’s father.

They also operate a small custom harvesting business. Milking three times per day, the herd boasts a rolling herd average of above 30,000 pounds. The couple has three children, is active in Farm Bureau and has previously represented District 4 on the state YFA committee. Miranda works off of the farm at Organic Valley and serves on the state Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection Board.

After purchasing his first dairy cows and heifers, and utilizing rental facilities, Mark Mayer bought his current farm in 2006 in Fredonia where he farms 550 acres. He attended Lakeshore Technical College for dairy herd management.

Mark is the YFA vice chair for Ozaukee County and serves on the policy development committee and board of directors. Mark likes to spend time with his family, including his 11 nieces and nephews. He also serves his local fire department.

Jeff McNeely, of Brooklyn, farms with his father and brother on a diversified farm that includes 1,650 crop acres, Holstein steers and 150 milking-cows. Jeff is solely responsible for managing the dairy side of the farm and assists in other areas. He is a graduate of UW-River Falls with a degree in dairy science and minor in agronomy. He serves as the YFA chair for Green County, and enjoys networking with Farm Bureau friends and spending time outdoors.

Waushara County

Monroe County

Scot and Becky Hammann

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news

Chris Pollack

Andy and Jessica Schuh

Fond du Lac County Chris Pollack grew up on a dairy farm near Ripon. He attended UW-Madison’s Farm and Industry Short Course before returning to farm with his parents at Pollack-Vu Dairy LLC. They milk 150 cows and farm 700 acres. Chris also does some custom baling and markets straw to local farmers. He is heavily involved in the Fond du Lac County YFA program, Ripon FFA Alumni and coaches the Fond du Lac County Dairy Judging Team.

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Andy and Jessica Schuh, of Brillion, have been farming since 1999 and operate 750 acres.

They graduated from Fox Valley Technical College, and are part owners of a herd of 200 cows. The Schuhs stay busy with their six children and are active in YFA. Currently, Andy is the Calumet County Farm Bureau President and Jessica is the Women’s Committee chair. They both also serve on the county’s dairy promotion committee.

Jay and Angela Schultz

Ryan and Amanda Staidl

Jay and Angela Schultz, of Shawano, are fifth-generation farmers on a 415-acre dairy farm with their three children. Both are active in the daily functions of the dairy, with Jay being responsible for crop production, milking, feeding, and breeding of cows and heifers.

Angela is involved with milking, feeding calves, cleaning of facilities, as well as maintaining the farm’s records. Angela is active with Ag in the Classroom in Shawano County. Both are involved in YFA, their church and serve as 4-H leaders.

Ryan and Amanda Staidl, of Peshtigo, operate 1,300 acres of owned and leased land in partnership with Ryan’s father. Ryan is the fifth generation on the family farm, and has overseen expansion of the farm’s grain and beef production. The couple has three children and both hold associates degrees, Ryan in agriculture and Amanda in early childhood education. They previously represented District 7 on the state YFA committee.

Shawano County

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Calumet County

Marinette County

wisconsin farm bureau federation

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GROWMARK is a partner in the United Nations celebration of 2012 as The International Year of Cooperatives.

GROWMARK is a regional cooperative providing agriculture-related products and services, as well as grain marketing services throughout Illinois, Iowa and Wisconsin through its FS member cooperatives.

More information is available at www.growmark.com

news

YFA Excellence in Ag Final Four Four individuals were selected as Wisconsin Farm Bureau’s Excellence in Ag finalists and will compete in December for the top honor.

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xcellence in Ag award applicants must derive a majority of their income from a non-production agribusiness enterprise for the past three years. Examples of occupations of past finalists include: agricultural education instructor, fertilizer salesperson, veterinarian, farm employee, agricultural writer and marketer.

The Young Farmer and Agriculturist program is open to Farm Bureau members between the ages of 18 and 35, who have excelled in their involvement in agriculture, leadership ability, involvement and participation in Farm Bureau, and other civic and service organizations.

Each finalist must make a PowerPoint presentation

and answer questions in front of a three-judge panel during the Farm Bureau’s 2012 Annual Meeting/Young Farmer and Agriculturist Conference at the Kalahari Resort in Wisconsin Dells, November 30 to December 3.

All applicants receive a $50 FAST STOP gift card from GROWMARK Inc. This year’s state winner competes at the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 2013 Annual Meeting, January 13-16, 2013, in Nashville. In addition, Rural Mutual Insurance Company provides a free financial plan for the state winner and GROWMARK, Inc. provides the state winner with a $250 FAST STOP gift card.

Last year’s Excellence in Ag winner was Jillian Beaty of Rock County.

The Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation (WFBF) co-sponsors this contest with GROWMARK Inc. and Rural Mutual Insurance Company. Information and applications for all YFA contests may be downloaded at wfbf.com.

Jenny Dierickx Dane County

Jenny Dierickx works as a marketing executive for Filament Marketing, an agricultural marketing and strategic planning firm in Madison. She grew up helping out on her family’s Holstein dairy farm and showed dairy cattle at her county fair.

She is a graduate of UW-Madison with a degree in agricultural journalism. Jenny is an active member of the Dane County Farm Bureau, serving as the YFA chair and volunteering at agriculture promotion events. She also represents District 2 on the state Women’s Committee.

Nicole Reese Rock County

Nicole Reese is an agriscience teacher at Milton High School. She was raised on her family’s 120-dairy-cow farm and still regularly works there. As an agri-science teacher, she gives students experience and hands-on learning relatable to real world agricultural occupations.

She is the FFA advisor for 298 members, and takes FFA members to leadership workshops, on agriculture tours and mentors them for their Supervised Agriculture Experience projects. Nicole is a past state FFA vice president and Alice in Dairyland.

“We have four of Wisconsin’s finest agriculture advocates competing in this year’s state competition. This event highlights how the finalists have greatly impacted Wisconsin agriculture and motivates others to do the same.”

- Casey Langan, WFBF Spokesman 22

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wisconsin farm bureau federation

Arlaina Meyer Barron County

Since 2002, Arlaina Meyer has been an agriculture instructor and FFA advisor for Cumberland High School. She teaches classes such as veterinary science and large animal sciences, and helps her FFA chapter with their Supervised Agriculture Experience projects. She grew up on Pinecrest Acres, her family’s registered Guernsey dairy farm. She is active with the Ag in the Classroom program and has previously been a discussion meet participant. Recently, she started raising colonies of honeybees with her husband.

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Beth Porior Schafer Marathon County

Beth Porior Schafer works as a regional program manager for the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board’s Wisconsin Dairy Council. Covering 18 counties in northcentral Wisconsin, Beth works with K-12 schools to educate youth on the benefits of drinking milk. Previously, Beth was an agriculture instructor and FFA advisor at Merrill Area Schools. She grew up on her family’s dairy farm in northeastern Wisconsin, which her brothers now operate. Beth can be found helping out on the family farm on the weekends.

Rather have the latest Farm Bureau news emailed to you? Go to wfbf.com to opt-out of receiving a printed version of the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation’s Rural Route magazine and sign up to have each issue delivered to your inbox.

You can also read the current issue and access archived editions anytime on

wfbf.com

october | november 2012

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news

New Rules in No Passing Zones

M

otorists driving on rural roads this fall should especially be aware of slow moving farm equipment and slow down when approaching such machinery.

“A change in state law makes it all the more important for all drivers on rural highways to be cautious,” said Cheryl Skjolaas, University of WisconsinExtension agricultural safety specialist.

“It is now legal to pass a vehicle in a no-passing zone if travelling less than half of the applicable speed limit.”

“This means that if a vehicle is travelling behind a slow-moving vehicle (one that is travelling less than half the posted speed) it is now legal to pass the slow-moving vehicle in a nopassing zone provided that caution is taken when passing,” Skjolaas said.

Caution includes being aware of the road conditions and the type of slowmoving vehicle that one intends to pass, she noted. Make sure you have enough time and distance to pass safely.

It is legal to drive farm machinery on public roads and it is often the only way farmers can get from field to field.

“It is important to be alert and remember that these farm vehicles

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do not behave like cars and trucks when it comes to speed, turning or braking,” Skjolaas said.

The combination of slow-moving farm equipment and faster motor vehicles means the time before the two meet can be seconds.

Skjolaas offered some tips: • Farm machinery moving less than 25 miles per hour should display an orange ”slow moving vehicle” emblem.

Alternatively, the equipment may have an amber strobe light.

• The farm equipment operator may not be able to see around the equipment, so do not assume that the operator knows you are approaching. Similar to semi-trucks, many use large extended mirrors. When a driver follows too closely, the vehicle is not visible to the farm equipment operator. Keep a safe distance back.

• The majority of farm equipment and motor vehicle crashes occur when the farm equipment operator slows down to turn left and the motorist moves to pass. If you plan to pass, make sure the driver is not about to turn left. Before you decide to pass, look for farm and field driveways where the farm vehicle

operator could be turning. Check turn signals or watch for the operator to use a hand signal when signal lights are not present.

• A road sign to watch for is a yellow and black warning sign with the symbol of a farmer driving a tractor. These signs are within 500 feet of a driveway to alert motorists of a farm or field drive with an obstructed view such as on a hill or around a curve.

• Farm equipment operators are not required to drive on the road shoulders.

If safe, the farm machinery operator may pull off on the shoulder to allow traffic to pass. Wisconsin law does not require farm equipment to pull onto the shoulder for motor vehicles.

• Some wide equipment may extend into the oncoming traffic lane. Make sure the road is wide enough and watch for roadside obstacles such as mailboxes that might cause the equipment operator to drift to the left.

• Farm machinery crossing the road moves slowly and may be pulling equipment that will take longer to clear the road. Do not try to pass on the left as the equipment may swing out differently than you expect.

wisconsin farm bureau federation

news

Names in the

News

Farm Bureau members making headlines around the state

Roger Cliff, Verona, was presented with the Honorary Recognition Award from the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences at the University of WisconsinMadison on October 18. The Honorary Recognition Award recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions toward the development of agriculture, protection of natural resources and improvement of rural living.

Cliff has served as WFBF’s chief administrative officer since 2004, and worked as a lobbyist since joining WFBF’s staff in 1973. During those four decades, he has worked effectively with eight governors, and countless state and federal legislators on both sides of the aisle to develop agricultural policies that promote the preservation of farmland, reduce the tax burden on farmers, and enable environmental stewardship programs that protect the state’s soil and water resources. He has also provided invaluable guidance and advocacy on behalf of the UW System on a number of legislative fronts.

Tom and Joan Oberhaus, Waukesha, have a special cow in their herd. Their Brown Swiss, Cozy Nook Pronto Twylight, was named the 2012 Wisconsin Cow of the Year by the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection. The proclamation was made during the International Brown Swiss Show on October 4 at the World Dairy Expo in Madison.

The ability of Cozy Nook Pronto Twylight to transmit outstanding genetics is at the top of her achievements. Her first two daughters both scored Excellent at their first opportunity, and have outstanding production, reproduction and transmitting ability. On the most current United States Department of Agriculture sire summary, among the top 30 sires in the breed, eight of them are Twylight sons or grandsons.

Members of the Dunn County Farm Bureau were part of a community-wide effort to raise $5,100 for the Menomonie High School agriculture department after a fire killed 37 small animals and damaged valuable educational resources last spring.

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news

Stepp Brings

Customer Service Philosophy to the DNR

By Casey Langan

A

breath of fresh air.

That is how many county Farm Bureau leaders described Cathy Stepp, Wisconsin’s Secretary of Natural Resources.

As the featured speaker at the August 20 Council of Presidents Meeting in Wisconsin Dells, Stepp laid out her customer service priorities for “a service agency that has not always been service oriented.”

“I come from the private sector,” said the home builder who represented the Racine area for four years in the State Senate and previously served on the Natural Resources Board as one of former Governor Tommy Thompson’s appointees.

“We should be the agency of ‘here’s how you can’ instead of ‘oh no you can’t,” she told an audience Improving customer relations and finding efficiencies are priorities of Cathy Stepp, Secretary of of nearly 100 county Farm Bureau the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, shown here with WFBF President and Natural presidents and vice presidents.

Resources Board member Bill Bruins. Sec. Stepp also seeks to strike the right balance of “The DNR has a horrible public environmental protection with job creation. perception out there,” she acknowledged.

“We are suppose to be there to She said the number of once-endangered wolves in serve, to help educate on the rules, and Wisconsin is 850 to 1,100, depending on the time of year, well not just wait for you to trip up. We’re in surplus of the DNR’s original goal of 350. She said that going by the rules, following sound should be viewed as a success story for an endangered animal. science and using common sense.”

One of the areas her agency is seeking greater Sec. Stepp said that for too long, “Farmers efficiency is in writing master plans for DNR-owned have felt talked at rather than talked with.” lands. Sec. Stepp says she inherited an agency that in She drew applause when she said, “We some cases was 40 years behind in master planning. need to not be in the way of producers.”

“We buy, buy, buy all this land and worry Dale Beissel, president of the Sawyer about managing it later,” she said.

County Farm Bureau, asked about efforts Humorous is not always the word that comes to mind to curb depredation by wolves and bears. when thinking about speeches from DNR secretaries.

“It’s very real to the people living However, Sec. Stepp drew several big laughs. Before with these concerns,” he said. legitimately answering a question about the state’s “Too much of anything is a bad approach to the spread of Asian Carp, she said with a thing, and wolves are the poster quick smile, “We’re coming up with new recipes.” child for this,” Sec. Stepp agreed.

“We are suppose to be there to serve, to help educate on the rules, and not just wait for you to trip up.”

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wisconsin farm bureau federation

Patti Roden Joins Farm Bureau Team

Fresh Citrus, Orange Juice and Peanuts from Florida!

Visit www.wfbf.com/fruitsale for county Farm Bureaus who are hosting fall sales.

P

atti Roden is Farm Bureau’s new District Coordinator in southeastern Wisconsin. The Washington County native will help county Farm Bureaus to develop and implement programs that serve and attract members.

“I am excited to be working with the Wisconsin Farm Bureau and the counties in southeast Wisconsin,” Roden said. “I have a passion for agriculture, and am enthusiastic for the opportunity to learn more about the counties and help further their Farm Bureau organization.”

Roden will serve Farm Bureau’s District 1, which includes Jefferson, Kenosha, Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Racine, Walworth, Washington and Waukesha counties. She began her duties in August 2012.

She succeeds Christy Strobel of Watertown.

“It is easy to see the enthusiasm that Patti has for Farm Bureau and for agriculture,” Bob Leege, Wisconsin Farm Bureau’s Executive Director of Member Relations said. “She has a history of involvement and leadership in organizations like 4-H and Farm Bureau, and is eager to work with our county Farm Bureaus to help them continue to grow and carry out successful programs.”

Roden grew up on her family’s dairy farm near West Bend. As a graduate of UW-Oshkosh, she has a degree in speech communication. Previously, she worked with Americorps VISTA in Dodge County providing training and coordination for the 4-H leaders, volunteers and members, along with organizing the afterschool program. Most recently she was the Program and Communications Coordinator for Economic Development Washington County. Patti has been active in Farm Bureau through her involvement with her county’s Young Farmer and Agriculturist, Women’s and Ag in the Classroom committees. october | november 2012

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news

Meet Farm Bureau Member

Mike Salter

A

s the Outagamie County Farm Bureau President, Mike Salter stays pretty busy. When he is not wearing his president hat, he is wearing his boots and spending time in his hog barn.

Mike and his wife, Judy, both grew up on dairy farms and attended Colby High School. After Mike finished technical school, they ventured to Appleton to find jobs. Not liking city life, they eventually moved to a more rural area in Black Creek. With a new home and a desire to raise livestock, Mike became interested in hogs.

“I started with two sows,” he said, “and I just learned as I went.”

Over the years, Mike grew his farm to 50 sows. He sells about 1,000 animals annually, half of which are feeder and market hogs. The others are sold as show projects to 4-H and FFA members.

Since retiring nearly three years ago from Thrivent Financial in Appleton, Mike has more time to spend with his hogs. He also has more time to dedicate

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to the Wisconsin Pork Association (WPA) and his leadership involvements with Farm Bureau. Currently, Mike is a member of the WFBF’s Institute leadership training class.

“The (Institute) has taught me how to hold an organized meeting, work with the media, improve my communication skills and be an advocate for Farm Bureau,” Mike said.

For many years, the Salters have operated a direct sales program in Outagamie County, where Farm Bureau members can order a variety of fruit and nuts three times a year.

They also help organize the Outagamie County Farm Bureau’s cream puff sale at Appleton’s Octoberfest celebration.

Since Mike originally told his county Farm Bureau about this opportunity, the event has evolved into the group’s largest annual fundraiser.

“We usually have two mixers going at a time, mixing real cream because everything is homemade,” he said. “I enjoy it all; it is fun,

interesting and you get to socialize.”

Mike recalls his first experience with Farm Bureau, “A neighbor was going to a meeting and asked if I wanted to go, and I said sure, and that’s how it all got started.”

As president, after serving on the board for more than 20 years, Mike says his goal is to recruit younger members. He would like to see Outagamie County become more involved with the Young Farmer and Agriculturists (YFA) program.

Another reason Mike stays involved in organizations like the Farm Bureau and WPA is because they both benefit agriculture. He appreciates the efforts made to coordinate between agricultural organizations. Mike said Ag Day at the Capitol is an example of different organizations coming together for one cause: agriculture.

Mike has plans to stay involved, “The way I look at it, someone has to help keep the public informed.

You can’t just sit here.”

wisconsin farm bureau federation

Music City USA Hosts AFBF Annual Meeting Grab your cowboy boots and head to Nashville for the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 94th Annual Meeting, January 13-16, 2013.

Wisconsin Farm Bureau members will be staying at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center. The Annual Meeting will feature a variety of issue conferences, topnotch speakers and the Farm Bureau Trade Show. The Annual Meeting registration fee is $100 per person, which covers entrance to all sessions.

Wisconsin Farm Bureau members will have the opportunity to participate in a variety of optional pre- and post-convention tours, including several that highlight the diversity of Tennessee agriculture.

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

october | november 2012

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opinion

Federal Government Should Run Like a Farm A Message from WFBF President Bill Bruins

First off, let’s cull the easy farm-political clichés about pork-barrel politics and sacred cows; and we all know politicians do not need a tractor to spread manure. However, there are other ways that our federal government needs to be run more like a farm.

O

n the farm, we have no choice but to make timely decisions. There is a reason we go to the fields each spring and fall. Farmers cannot afford to sit on the fence and put off the job at hand. When we go to the bank to seek a loan, there has to be a solid repayment plan. Unfortunately, these concepts are foreign to our federal government.

Federal spending is spiraling out of control and our national debt is growing at a dangerous clip of $1 trillion annually.

Every man, woman and child in this nation would need to fork over $50,000 to pay off our $16 trillion of debt. If we ran our farms the way Washington runs its fiscal affairs, we would all be fighting over who

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gets to drive the tractor at the poor farm.

When farmers see a big rock ahead, they typically do the heavy-lifting and remove the problem. The federal government’s proverbial tractor is about to run off a fiscal cliff this January. What are they doing about it? Politicians are used to grid-lock and seem to enjoy struggling over control of the steering wheel. Yet, do they even realize the danger that draws closer every day?

Our nation’s farm economy has been a bright spot amid an otherwise dreary economy. Given the high fiscal stakes that our nation faces, what good is building a successful farm if our country goes bankrupt and we leave our children nothing but debt?

Amid the worst drought in decades, most farmers have cautiously assessed the damage to their crops and bottom lines. Doing so allows them to make the best decisions for the future.

Meanwhile in D.C., lawmakers still need to be convinced to pass a new farm bill. A new farm bill will provide some certainty of how to deal with drought and extreme price volatility for those of us who grow our nation’s food supply.

Talk is cheap. Farmers are successful

because of actions, not words. Most politicians are good at talking, but they should be judged by their actions and what they actually get done. In the years I have served as the Wisconsin Farm Bureau President, I have traveled to Washington many times. I was thrilled to see Wisconsin Congressman, Paul Ryan, tapped as Mitt Romney’s running mate. I can tell you there is nobody who has given more serious thought or displayed more political courage to actually fix our fiscal problems.

As farmers we do not become successful by making uninformed decisions. In a trying year like drought-ridden 2012, not doing our homework can determine whether or not we will be farming a year from now. It is painfully clear that bad decisions by the federal government lead to bad results, and without corrective action, the consequences will be severe.

Just as seed corn test plots give us the best indication of future yields, we as voters must do the same due diligence in researching our candidates. That is because one more lesson from the farm is clear. What we sew in November we will certainly reap in 2013.

wisconsin farm bureau federation

opinion

Discovery Farms – 12 Years of Experience A Guest Column from UW Discovery Farms Director Dennis Frame

I

f you have ever heard me talk, I almost always talk about things my boys have done; so comparing the progress of the Discovery Farms Program to my kids is natural for me. For most programs, 12 years is a short time period; but compared to how my boys and Discovery Farms have grown, the changes are remarkable.

Twelve years ago we started Discovery Farms to learn what was really happening on farms around Wisconsin, and to use that data to educate farmers, industry personnel, consumers and policymakers.

There was no reliable year-round information on actual phosphorus, nitrogen or sediment loss from fields with different management practices, physical settings or weather related events.

Discovery Farms with the assistance of farmers, their advisors and their industry groups, have filled in much of this required information. A subset of the data that includes six farms and 84 site years shows that farms are losing, on average, 667 pounds of sediment, two pounds of phosphorus and seven pounds of nitrogen. While these numbers are important, the real value is in the variation and the factors that influence nutrient and sediment losses.

Important findings from the first 12 years of the Discovery Farms Program include: • Many farms have already adopted practices that are protective of surface waters. A system needs to be designed

that identifies these farms/portions of farms and allows them to continue farming with minimal regulatory oversight.

• A small portion of the annual precipitation runs off a field (from <1 15 percent).

• The months with the highest risk of runoff are February, March, May and June.

• About half of the annual runoff occurs in the winter (February, March), and it is greatly influenced by the presence and continuity of frost, frost depth and conditions in the spring (rapid or slow snowmelt, rain on snow, and/or clear sunny versus cloudy days).

• Non-frozen ground runoff is greatly influenced by soil moisture levels (>35 percent moisture) and rainfall intensity.

• Manure applied shortly before runoff in late winter or on soils near saturation has the highest potential to run off.

• There is no perfect farming system; all have advantages and disadvantages which can be managed.

• Every acre (cropland, non-cropland) has the potential to contribute nutrient and sediment losses; so to reduce nonpoint pollution, every acre matters.

• We also developed the protocols and procedures to properly identify depth to bedrock in regions of the state with shallow soils and high potential for groundwater contamination.

• What’s next? There are still some big

questions that need to be answered with real farm data including: • What is the relationship between edge of field losses and what actually enters the water bodies?

• How effective and necessary are silage leachate collection systems?

• How can we improve our nutrient management planning process?

I have a picture on my computer of the boys the day before I left for the Netherlands, which was the beginning of Discovery Farms. The boys have grown and are now responsible men. I am proud to say that the Discovery Farms Program has also grown to become a reliable source of information that is there to serve and educate producers and the non-farm public. Thanks to everyone who had a hand in our success!

october | november 2012

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opinion

Generation Y Seeks Agriculture’s Quick Rate of Change A Message from National FFA Vice President Alicia Hodnik

G

eneration Y is unlike any other generation. Our upbringings have been filled with immense amounts of technology: iPods, internet and cell phones. As a result, our minds move at an incredible pace.

The progress and changes found in agriculture also move at an incredible rate. With global population expected to reach nine billion by 2050, such growth will require that agriculture’s foot remains firmly on the accelerator.

Generation Y craves progress and consistent advancement. Students do not stand idled; everything is interactive and “right now.” Knowing this, agricultural education needs to remain focused on engaging young people.

Today’s classrooms work to prepare students for a variety of careers on a sustainable budget. A challenge education faces is not that curriculums are too hard, but that they move too slowly. When the pace slows, students’ minds wander.

Too many of these disengaged moments can result in their minds completely disengaging from the core subject at hand.

The curriculum and rigor in agricultural education is modeled after an everchanging industry. Agriculture’s pace stimulates young minds. It creates passions in and outside of the classroom. This is not the case everywhere. Most high school students rush for the door as the bell rings in search of the motivation they do not find in the classroom.

Agriculture students crave meaningful work. They are developing passions within classroom walls and applying them

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in real-life situations. American citizens have a commitment to our country’s livelihood through supporting agriculture as an irreplaceable industry. Our food, clothing, shelter and resources come from agriculture-based foundations. This means that our world needs to be “all-in” and contribute to fighting the challenges faced by agriculture stakeholders.

Today’s nearly one million agricultural education students give us faith for the future. A big part of that is the National FFA Organization’s membership of over 540,379 members in every state, including the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. Each FFA member receives a classroom and laboratory education, conducts an agriculture-based project called a Supervised Agricultural Experience program and applies what they have learned in real-life situations through their FFA membership.

Agricultural education offers an intracurricular learning process that students

undergo. The 110 percent output these youth commit to their agriculture-based work is the exact percentage of effort it will take to meet our world’s needs.

Whether from urban upbringings or country childhoods, Generation Y’s students are devoting their minds and souls to agriculture. Our one million agriculture students who crave progress will be challenged with figuring out how our world will do more with less. We are inspired by challenges that require us to think fast, multitask and problem solve with our technological resources.

These trends have inspired the National FFA Organization’s theme for the coming year, “Grow.” Grow embodies the appreciation of our agrarian roots and the future of progressive agriculture. This theme lives out the goals of the National FFA Organization and our industry as a whole. Growth is a challenge; one that our young people are ready to tackle.

Less than two percent of our population is directly tied to American agriculture. The fulfillment of our challenges will come from utilizing the resources we are given. We fully embrace our land masses, science and technology in the hopes to stay progressive.

One resource that has not been fully tapped into – progressive, fast minds! Generation Y has only one plea for agriculture: engage us, utilize us, involve us and CHALLENGE us!

Alicia Hodnik of Walworth, Wisconsin has spent the last year as the Central Region Vice President for the National FFA Organization.

wisconsin farm bureau federation

opinion

Farming Just Got Riskier Without Farm Bill A Guest Column by Karen Gefvert

In a perfect world, every five years the U.S. Congress crafts and passes a farm bill. It is a piece of federal legislation that authorizes and funds programs for nutrition, conservation, crop insurance and farm commodities.

Unfortunately, Washington D.C. in 2012 is far from perfect.

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he 2008 Farm Bill expired on September 30. Its replacement is currently mired in election year muck. Last summer, differing versions of a new farm bill were passed by the full Senate and the House Agriculture Committee. However, there does not appear to be the 218 votes needed to pass the farm bill in the full House.

The good news is that obviously the world did not come to an end and all of agriculture did not grind to a halt without a farm bill. Also, the actual funding for the food stamp program, crop insurance and a majority of conservation programs did not run out on September 30 either. All crops harvested in 2012 are still covered.

Of note to Wisconsin dairy farmers, the one program that did expire September 30 was the Milk Income Loss Contract (MILC). Yet, on September 1 the program lowered the payment limit level and the feed cost ration level. At these reduced levels and higher grain costs, the program was not expected to trigger between now and the end of 2012 even if it was extended.

As with everything in D.C., the

stumbling block comes down to money.

The Senate version of the farm bill cuts $23 billion, while the House version cuts $33 billion over 10 years. Much of the disagreement is over cuts to the food stamp program and differing versions of the commodity programs.

The next Congress sworn into office in January will be faced with tough fiscal decisions. There will simply be fewer dollars available for the farm bill (and everything else) in 2013.

That fact, combined with all of the positive policy reforms found within the new farm bill, help support Farm Bureauâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s position to push for full passage of the farm bill in 2012.

There is still a chance that could happen in the upcoming â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;lame duckâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; session of Congress (after the November elections but before the first of the year), especially if President Obama is reelected and the Democrats retain the Senate majority. If Republicans win the Senate majority and take the Oval Office, they may wait to pass a farm bill until the new Congress takes office in early 2013.

Lastly, the disaster assistance package

passed by the House in August could be taken up by the Senate. This would address expired livestock programs and put crop insurance programs in place for the 2013 growing season.

Thanks to a letter circulated by Wisconsin Congressman Reid Ribble and cosigned by 59 legislative colleagues, the MILC could be extended too.

Yes, cows will still need to be milked and we will plant crops next spring, but farming just became an even riskier business without the safety net that the farm bill provides farmers and consumers.

Karen Gefvert is the Director of Governmental Relations for the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation.

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Member Benefits Savings for your Family or Business The Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation offers benefits and services to its members, covering a range of options that respond to the needs of farmers, families and businesses in Wisconsin.

AAA Farm Bureau members save 20% on AAA membership and the enrollment fee to join AAA is waived. Farm Bureau members who already belong to AAA can receive the discount on their next renewal. In both instances, call 877.731.3315 and be prepared to give them the group code “WI07.”

Accidental Death Policy Members receive $1,500 in accidental death insurance for themselves and their spouse, and $500 for minors. The policy increases in value for consecutive years of membership up to $3,500.

AgriPlan Medical Reimbursement Program Farm Bureau has teamed up with TASC (Total Administrative Services Corporation) to bring you the AgriPlanNOW! program which is based on Section 105 of the IRS code and can allow farmers and other self-employed individuals to deduct 100 percent of their family’s medical expenses through their farm or business. AgriPlan clients save an average of $3,000 in taxes annually.

Deductible expenses include health, dental and vision insurance premiums, qualified long term care insurance premiums, as well as any non-insured medical expenses such as dental, vision, prescriptions, over the counter medications and more. In addition, TASC will now pay your Farm Bureau membership dues when you sign up for AgriPlanNOW! To learn more about AgriPlan and/or sign up, go to www. tasconline.com or call 888.595.2261.

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AVIS Car Rental Discount Program You can save 5%-25% on Avis’ daily and weekly rates. To receive these discounted rates, all you need to do is use your Avis Worldwide Discount number: A298849. To rent a car and enjoy benefits visit Avis.com or call Avis at 1.800.331.1212.

Choice Hotels Members save an average of 20% at participating Choice Brand Hotels. Call 800.258.2847 to make the required advance reservation. Request Wisconsin Farm Bureau member rate using ID# 00209870. (This number changed recently.)

Farm Bureau Bank Take advantage of Farm Bureau Bank’s FDIC insured checking and savings accounts, money market accounts, certificates of deposit, credit cards and vehicle and home loans. To get started, call 800.492.FARM (3276), or look online at www.farmbureaubank.com.

Farm Bureau Financial Services A dynamic multi-state insurance and investment organization serving individuals and families in not only rural areas, but also suburban and metropolitan. You can get more information about the financial services from your local Rural Insurance agent.

Learn more about Farm Bureau Financial Services at www.fbfs.com.

FS-GROWMARK Patronage Farm Bureau members who are patrons of their local FS cooperative are eligible to receive patronage dividends when patronage is paid.

Grainger

Stroke Detection Plus

Grainger Industrial Supply is the nation’s leading maintenance, repair and operational supplies distributor.

Receive a 10% discount on all Grainger catalog items. For a free catalog call 608.221.3861. When ordering use the Farm Bureau account #855922019.

Stroke Detection Plus offers preventative medical screenings at a discounted price to Farm Bureau members. These ultrasound screenings help detect blockages that can lead to stroke, aortic aneurysms and other artery diseases.

Are you at risk? For more information, simply call 1.877.732.8258.

GM Private Offer Eligible members may now receive a $500 discount on qualifying 2011 or 2012 model year Chevrolet, GMC or Buick vehicles they purchase or lease. Please see the “Benefits & Membership” tab at wfbf.com.

Rural Mutual Insurance Offering a full line of insurance and financial products for your personal, farm and business needs exclusively for Wisconsin Farm Bureau members. Our rural Wisconsin heritage assures that you’ll find in us the strong values you expect and deserve. Visit us on the web at www.ruralins.com to find your nearest Rural Mutual agent.

ScriptSave Prescription Drug Savings Card ScriptSave is a prescription drug savings card available to all Wisconsin Farm Bureau members. The card is available to you at NO COST as an added feature of your membership. Your entire household can use the card for instant savings that average over 32% with potential savings up to 50% on brand name and generic medications (based on national program savings data). Call 1.800.700.3957 and reference Group #703A.

The Country Today Newspaper Here’s a way to save money, get informed on ag issues, AND help support a popular Farm Bureau program. Members now receive $7.50 off yearly subscriptions (and $15 off two-year subscriptions) and The Country Today then donates $5 to the Ag in the Classroom program. Please call 888.833.9268 during normal business hours and let The Country Today customer service representative know you are a Farm Bureau member to qualify for the reduced rates.

Wyndham Hotel Group Members save 20% off the best available rate at more than 5,000 participating locations throughout North America. Mention Farm Bureau ID# 8000004288 when making your reservations. Call 877.670.7088 for information. *WFBF member benefits may be changed or discontinued at anytime without notice.

on the web View additional WFBF Member Benefits and more details on our website at www.wfbf.com/benefits-membership.

wisconsin farm bureau federation

BECAUSE THANK YOU ISN’T THANKS ENOUGH. PRESENTING A PRIVATE OFFER FOR FARM BUREAU MEMBERS

$500 ON TOP OF MOST CURRENT OFFERS1

You choose Farm Bureau because you never know where life will take you.

To thank you, we’re proudly extending this special $500 private offer1 good toward the purchase or lease of nearly any new Chevrolet vehicle — from Equinox to Malibu. Don’t wait, get your personal authorization number now at fbverify.com/gm and visit your Chevrolet dealer today.

1 Offer available through 4/1/14. Available on all 2011, 2012 and 2013 Chevrolet vehicles (excluding Volt).

This offer is not available with some other offers, including private offers (for example, Owner Loyalty).

Only customers who have been active members of an eligible Farm Bureau for a minimum of 60 days will be eligible to receive a certificate. Customers can obtain certificates at www.fbverify.com/gm. Farm Bureau and the FB logo are registered service marks of the American Farm Bureau Federation and are used herein under license by General Motors.

leadership

Growing Future Leaders

Members of Wisconsin Farm Bureau’s Institute Class VI were at Wisconsin’s State Capitol on September 7 to practice their leadership skills in a legislative setting. (ABOVE) Ryan Staidl (center) testifies about road weight limits during the mock legislative hearing. Class VI members will graduate from the Institute at this December’s WFBF Annual Meeting.

(AT RIGHT) Alex Bringe of Viroqua and Katelin Haglund of Appleton talk on the capitol steps, where they played the parts of farmers, agriculturists and lawmakers at a legislative hearing on the topics of raw milk and road weight limits.

Emerging Ag Leaders Picked for Next Farm Bureau Institute

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ifteen emerging agricultural leaders have been selected to participate in the Farm Bureau Institute. The year-long leadership training program’s mission is to develop strong and effective agricultural leaders.

“Now in its seventh year, the Farm Bureau Institute offers personal growth and leadership training to members with the potential to make a positive impact on agriculture and Farm Bureau,” said Dale Beaty, Farm Bureau’s Director of Training and Leadership Development.

Members of the 2013 Farm Bureau Institute class include: Michelle Backhaus, Appleton; Cindy Bourget, Elk Mound; Jennifer Brooks, Juda; Jennifer M. Digman, Dickeyville; Sheila Everhart,

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Janesville; Lisa Gantner, Belgium; Danielle Hammer, Beaver Dam; Charlie Knigge, Omro; Katie Mattison, Fond du Lac; Chris Pollack, Ripon; Crystal Pollack, Ripon; Doug Rebout, Janesville; Wayne Staidl, Peshtigo; Ashley Veldhuizen, Marshall; and Dave Wilke, Ripon.

The Institute members will first meet in January, and focus on public speaking, etiquette, and identifying personality and leadership skills.

Subsequent sessions will focus on advocacy training, local and state government, Farm Bureau structure and function, and national and international future ag issues.

The Wisconsin Farm Bureau Institute consists of five multi-day sessions that provide insights

on issues important to agriculture, development of leadership and speaking skills, interaction with Farm Bureau leaders and staff and those in the governmental and agricultural sectors, and networking with other participants. The class will also participate in the Farm Bureau Leader Fly-in to Washington, D.C. in 2014.

The Farm Bureau Institute is sponsored by Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation, Wisconsin Farm Bureau Foundation, Rural Mutual Insurance Company and GROWMARK, Inc. Farm Bureau members interested in applying for the 2014 Farm Bureau Institute can contact Dale Beaty at 608.828.5714 or email him at dbeaty@wfbf.com.

wisconsin farm bureau federation

Attend Mock Policy Hearing at YFA Conference

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hink of it as planting the seeds for a new generation of grassroots involvement.

A mock policy development session, set for Saturday, December 1 at the Young Farmer and Agriculturist Convention at the Kalahari Resort in Wisconsin Dells, will help younger Farm Bureau members learn how to be players at policy development.

“What frustrates young farmers is how to get into the old boys network.

We teach them how to do that,” said Linda ‘L.J.’ Johnson, Director of Policy Implementation for the American Farm Bureau Federation.

Johnson will send participants through the steps of how their ideas can evolve into Farm Bureau policy on the county, state and national levels.

The mock policy development session was first conducted earlier this year at the national Young Farmer & Rancher Conference in Michigan.

It will also be done at the annual meetings in Nebraska and Tennessee.

“I don’t know why we’ve never done this. It makes so much sense,” Johnson said. “It really helps young members engage.”

First, members will be split off into their respective districts where they will brainstorm on policies important to YFA members before voting on the

most important idea to move forward. Once all back together, the delegate body will tweak language and vote. When complete, members will have discussed and voted on nine pieces of policy.

“I will give ideas on how to take those proposed policies and make them actually work next year,” Johnson said. “It’s then up to (the members) to get these ideas talked about on the county level.”

To be successful, she said this might mean more YFA members stepping up as WFBF delegates, or just lobbying

the delegates at the Annual Meeting.

“The more delegates they talk to, the better the odds,” she said.

Johnson will also encourage YFA members to stick around for Monday’s delegate session to see how grassroots proposals are debated by WFBF delegates.

The mock policy development session will begin at 10 a.m. on Saturday, December 1 of the YFA Conference, which runs November 30 through December 2.

Notice of Annual Meeting of Rural Mutual Insurance Company

Notice of Annual Meeting of Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation, Cooperative

In accordance with the bylaws and pursuant to the direction of the Board of Directors, the undersigned President hereby gives notice that the Annual Meeting of members of Rural Mutual Insurance Company will convene on Monday, December 3rd at 10:30 a.m. at the Kalahari Resort in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin. Bill Bruins, President.

In accordance with the bylaws and pursuant to the direction of the Board of Directors, the undersigned President hereby gives notice that the Annual Meeting of members of the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation, Cooperative, will convene on Monday, December 3rd at 10:30 a.m. at the Kalahari Resort in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin. Bill Bruins, President.

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news resources for teachers

Summer school FOR TEACHERS AND VOLUNTEERS educational resources to explore Science for Kids (ars.usda.gov/is/kids/) – The Agricultural Research Service offers an interactive website for teachers and students to connect agriculture and science. With a focus on science projects and careers, students of all ages can learn more about agriculture and the opportunities it offers.

Wisconsin DNR’s Environmental Education for Kids! (dnr.wi.gov/eek/) – EEK! For Teachers is designed to help teachers teach their students how to use the Environmental Education for Kids! (EEK!) website. The electronic magazine for kids in grades 4-8 is created by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

Fall Information Meetings A series of fall Ag in the Classroom meetings are being scheduled for volunteers, teachers, 4-H leaders, FFA members and advisors who are interested in learning more about new programming and opportunities. Please see wisagclassroom.org for dates and locations.

Enjoy the fall and learn about agriculture!

Cranberries (discovercranberries.com) – Discover Cranberries is the ultimate guide to cranberries and a must-see destination in the Midwest.

The recently redesigned museum in Warrens features interactive information about the 150-year history of Wisconsin cranberries.

History comes to life through videos, storyboards and historic exhibits. The Taste Test Kitchen and ice cream parlor will satisfy your taste buds.

The Popcorn Board (www.popcorn.org) – October is National Popcorn Month! For more than 30 years, October has been celebrated as National Popcorn Poppin’ Month. However, it became “official” in 1999, when then Secretary of Agriculture Dan Glickman proclaimed October as National Popcorn Poppin’ Month. Visit this website for teaching guides, student pages and activity sheets!

Wisconsin Christmas Tree Producers Association (www.christmastrees-wi.org) – This association offers teachers and students lesson plans, activity sheets and educational information about real Christmas trees. It also links to national websites with additional educational resources. Great information about the Christmas tree information, producers, suppliers, and grower lists for both educators and the general public!

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Fall Farm Tours (visitdairyland.com) – The Wisconsin Agricultural Tourism Association’s website invites you to get in touch with the land, whether at a farmstead bed and breakfast, a pick-your-own orchard or a farm tour.

wisconsin farm bureau federation

ag in the classroom

Essay Contest and Book of the Year Focus on

Healthy Eating

Essay Topic: “Wisconsin farms help me eat a healthy lunch by…”

Book of the Year: “How Did That Get In My Lunch Box? The Story of Food” by Chris Butterworth

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his year’s book of the year and essay contest topic allow students to learn where their food comes from, what is locally grown, how to make good food choices and how their lunch connects back to the farm.

The Wisconsin Ag in the Classroom program will provide lesson plans related to the Book of the Year for teachers, volunteers and students to promote and prepare essays.

The Wisconsin Farm Bureau-Ag in the Classroom Essay Contest helps fourth and fifth grade students learn about how they are connected to agriculture. Last year, 1,831 students participated. The contest is promoted annually by Farm Bureau members in grade schools and home school networks throughout the state.

The essays must be between 100 to 300 words in length, and are judged on content, grammar, spelling and neatness. Essays are due to the county Farm Bureaus by April 1, 2013. See wisagclassroom.com for lesson plans, resources and more details.

Copies of “How Did That Get In My Lunch Box?” can be purchased by clicking the Foundation page at wfbf.com. For more information, contact Darlene Arneson at darneson@wfbf.com or 608.828.5719.

Sponsors of the 2012-13 essay contest are We Energies, Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board, Frontier FS and the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Foundation.

‘In My Barn’ Game Helps Young Students Build Math Skills

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new online game developed for prekindergarten and kindergarten students is now available on MyAmericanFarm.org, the popular agricultural gaming site. “In My Barn” is the first game for a pre-K–K audience on My American Farm.

Students use math skills to help Farmer Faye, a character in the game, care for her animals. As they play the game, students earn points which help them fill a grain storage silo. Once students fill the silo, they earn a new stamp to add to their Passport for Sustainability—the tool that helps youth keep track of their journey through the various My American Farm online games.

“In My Barn” is closely aligned with the PBS Kids Ready to Learn Math Framework, which supports STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) learning. The game also meets

national standards for mathematics instruction.

“We are excited to launch this new STEMrelated game and activities on My American Farm,” said Dan Durheim, executive director of the American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture. “A solid understanding of core subjects such as science and mathematics lays the groundwork for students to grow in their understanding of where food, fiber and renewable fuels come from.”

The My American Farm educational gaming resource is a special project of the American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture. The site and resources are made possible through the generous support of title sponsor, Pioneer Hi-Bred, a DuPont business. To take advantage of free My American Farm resources, games and activities, visit www.myamericanfarm.org.

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ag in the classroom

Camp, Classes and Tours

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Horicon Marsh

Liz Herzmann, natural resources educator at the Horicon Marsh International Education Center, took Ag in the Classroom bus tour participants on a walking tour of the Horicon Marsh.

Understanding the close relationship of agriculture, natural resources and the environment is essential as we teach students about stewardship of the soil, water, wildlife and other natural resources.

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State Fair Camp

Ag in the Classroom provides financial and staff support to the annual State Fair Camp, where more than 350 urban youth conduct hands-on activities and explore exhibits. Here campers are visiting the Activity Center in the 4-H and FFA exhibit area.

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Barnyard Adventure

George Mroch, Walworth Countyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Ag in the Classroom Coordinator, helps organize the Walworth County Fairâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Barnyard Adventure. Ag in the Classroom offered sessions on the Soybean Science Kit, where participants make lip balm using soybean oil, beeswax and other ingredients.

A Christmas Crop

One stop on the Summer Ag in the Classroom Training Bus Tour showed participants how Christmas trees are grown and managed, how wreaths are made, and how the direct sales are coordinated.

Jim Wagner, shown here, operates Wagner Tree Farm in Juneau County.

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foundation

Shining our Spotlight on...

Manawa FFA Small FFA Chapter Does Big Things W

hat program can reach more than 400 students and work with every teacher in a school district? The Manawa FFA Chapter’s Food for America program!

The 60-member Manawa FFA chapter has logged more than 1,900 hours educating the public about the importance of food by using topics such as

healthy snacks, community supported agriculture and food safety. They have succeeded in reaching more than 400 students and 56 staff members with their “Food for America” program.

Some of the activities they have embedded into their “Food for America” program are “Movin’ and Munchin,” “A Day on the Farm,” “Farm to School” programs, and

classroom presentations.

Their outstanding efforts led them to win the top award for “Food for America” programs at the Wisconsin FFA Convention in June. The awards are sponsored by the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Foundation.

“The ‘Food for America’ program has really blossomed in the past eight years for Manawa,” said Sandy Piechowski Cordes, Manawa FFA Advisor and agriculture instructor.

“As a farm girl and Farm Bureau member, it makes my heart happy to see my students sharing their love of agriculture with other students and members of our community.”

The Manawa FFA has a comprehensive “Food for America” program with agricultural literacy as the arching theme. Their programs focus on teaching people of all ages where their food comes from while including an appreciation for the agricultural careers involved in production, processing, distribution and marketing. The activities

they chose to provide utilize a wide-array of resources including WFBF’s Ag in the Classroom program, Waupaca County Farm Bureau and guest speakers, such as Alice in Dairyland, Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board staff, the Wisconsin Honey Queen and other commodity representatives.

The FFA members develop communication and leadership skills as they share the importance of agriculture and educate consumers of all ages about agricultural literacy. Manawa FFA members especially enjoy planning “A Day on the Farm” for their district’s third graders and assisting with “Farm to School” activities.

“The skills that the students develop while teaching agricultural literacy are incomparable,” Piechowski Cordes said. “I love the pride and passion that my students have for teaching others the story of agriculture.”

Their Food for America Committee is called the Agricultural Literacy Committee. This committee

“Farm to School” has been a beneficial addition to the Manawa FFA chapter’s Food for America program. It is designed to connect schools and local farms with the goal of serving healthy meals in school cafeterias, improving student nutrition, providing agriculture, health and nutrition education opportunities, and supporting local and regional farmers.

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wisconsin farm bureau federation

is a sub-committee of their Community Development Program of Activities. A member of their officer leadership team leads 22 FFA members who request to be on this committee.

Meetings are held each month to discuss agricultural literacy projects, and subcommittees meet separately to plan each event. Members do not need to be on the Agricultural Literacy Committee to help plan or implement the projects.

Programs and events that the Manawa FFA members organized or participated in include Food for America Day on the farm for third graders, the “Get Fit, Get Fueled” program for fourth graders, presentations by Wisconsin’s Honey Queen, and volunteering at the Manawa Rodeo, Waupaca County Fair, Waupaca County Forage Council and the Iola Old Car Show. They also had

Teaching students where their food comes from is a theme of the Manawa FFA chapter’s agricultural literacy initiative. Manawa FFA members serve as teachers and leaders for “A Day on the Farm,” where they discuss topics such as biotechnology, food safety, food and fiber production, plant and animal science, and character education.

an exceptional involvement of 720 participants in their “Farm to School” programs.

Being recognized at the state level for their “Food for America” program has been energizing for the Manawa FFA members. Although they are a small chapter, they have had a tremendous impact on others. They look forward to continuing to share the message of food and literacy about the agriculture community here in Wisconsin.

“We have gone from a

Earning money for the Manawa FFA’s agricultural literacy budget is done through service to organizations at the Iola Old Car Show and Manawa Rodeo. This has an additional benefit of allowing students to develop a multitude of skills including recordkeeping, customer service and marketing.

school that did not have an agriculture teacher ten years ago, to one that is being recognized for service endeavors in the community,” Piechowski Cordes said. “While we are a small school, my students have big hearts and I am honored to have worked

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with stellar students over the past nine years to develop a comprehensive agricultural literacy program. I appreciate Farm Bureau for recognizing the time and talents that students in FFA chapters all over Wisconsin put in to this valuable program.” www.wfbf.com

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Perfect Weather for the Wisconsin Ag Open September 10 brought perfect weather for the 2012 Wisconsin Ag Open at The Oaks Golf Course in Cottage Grove. The 142 golfers who participated in the event raised funds for the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Foundation.

Mark your calendars: the Wisconsin Ag Open will return to The Oaks on September 9, 2013. Thank you to the following sponsors:

$1,000 Club House Sponsors

$300 Tee Box Sponsors

•• American Agriculture Insurance Company •• Mortenson, Matzell & Meldrum •• BMO Harris Bank •• Stroud, Willink, and Howard, LLC •• Xcel Energy

$500 Hole Sponsors •• GROWMARK, Inc •• Investors Community Bank •• Kennedy Communications •• Strohm Ballweg, LLP

•• Attorney David Paulson •• Wisconsin Agribusiness Council

Other Donors •• Alliant Energy* •• Aon Benfield* •• Bill Falkenstein •• Investors Community Bank •• John and Darlene Arneson •• Jim’s Cheese •• Rural Mutual Insurance Company •• Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation •• Wisconsin Soybean Association*

Tom Dawson and Gary Strohm took to the links in support of agriculture at the 2012 Wisconsin Ag Open.

* Major Meal Contributors

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wisconsin farm bureau federation

Annual Meeting Silent Auction

The Wisconsin Association of Agriculture Educators (WAAE) wishes to thank you for your participation in the 2012 WAAE Professional Development Conference in Green Bay. Trust that your involvement and int eraction with agriculture educators at this annual event, ultimately benefits the students and communities we serve.

Again , thank you for the continued support of agriculture and our organ ization .

Steve Schauf WAAE Section 3 Vice Pre sident Advisor-Sparta High Point Charter

School

Many thanks to the Ag in the Classroom program for hosting a booth for AGRI-Versi ty at the 2012 Dane County Junior Fair! We really appreciated your outreach and generosity.

Dane County 4-H Staff Get your items ready and be ready to bid. The Wisconsin Farm Bureau Foundation’s silent auction takes place at the WFBF Annual Meeting, December 1-2.

Thanks to the generosity of members, county Farm Bureaus and supporting businesses, a wide variety of items will be offered.

Bidding opens at noon on Saturday and will end on Sunday evening. Betty Engel note cards and ag-themed children’s books will be available for sale in the trade show area.

If you wish to donate an item, forms can be found at wfbf.com/ about-wfbf/foundation/.

Over the course of fiv e days in August, thousands of people walked into the new Ag-Venture Youth an d Family Tent at the Brown County Fair not knowing what to expect. Because of yo ur donations, support and volunteer time , those families were able to make agriculture a hands-on adventur e during their visit to the fair. Thank you for all that you did to help reach these fair-goers with all the positive agriculture messages the Ag-Ven ture Tent provided!

Brown County Dairy Promotions Committ ee

Thank you very much for the boxes of educa tional resources! I appreciate the donation from you and Ag in the Classroom. Our classroom and lab are being rebuilt (after the fire) and the information you provided will help us keep on track.

Calumet County Farm Bureau member, Betty Engel, has donated a painting for the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Foundation’s silent auction. The painting, Autumnal Descent, will also be featured on note cards available at the Annual Meeting and on the foundation’s page at wfbf.com.

Thanks!

Jean D’Angelo Menom onie High School Agriculture Educa tion

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Wisconsin Towns Association and Rural Mutual Award Scholarships to Wisconsin Teens

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ebecca Frokjer of the Town of Pine River in Lincoln County and Benjamin Shaw of the Town of Hudson in St. Croix County are recipients of the $1,000 Wisconsin Towns Association scholarship sponsored by Rural Mutual Insurance Company.

The announcement was made at the Wisconsin Towns Association annual convention held on October 15th in Appleton.

Frokjer is a 2012 graduate of Merrill High School and is attending UW-

Madison, while Shaw is a graduate of Hudson High School and is also attending UW-Madison.

Scholarships were awarded based on applicant essays in response to the question: “What is the appropriate role of recall elections in Wisconsin at the state and local levels?”

To apply for the scholarship, participants must live in a municipality that has Rural Mutual Insurance coverage as of May 1, 2012, be a 2012

graduate of a Wisconsin public or private high school, and plan on enrolling in a Wisconsin public or private college or vocational-technical school in 2012.

The Wisconsin Towns Association is a non-profit association of town and village officials promoting education for local government officials throughout the state. Rural Mutual Insurance is the Wisconsin Towns Association’s endorsed insurance carrier.

SPACE HEATER SAFETY

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ith the cooler temperatures of fall and winter approaching, the use of supplemental heating is likely to increase.

But before you plug in your space heater, it’s important to stay safe while keeping warm.

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), in 2010, heating equipment was involved in an estimated 57,100 reported U.S. home structure fires, leading to 490 deaths, 1,540 injuries and $1.1 billion in direct property damage. These fires accounted for 16 percent of all reported home fires. Portable or fixed space heaters, including wood stoves, were involved in one-third of home heating fires and four out of five home heating deaths. In one-quarter of these fires, three of every five space heater fire deaths, the heater was too close to something that could catch fire.

SPACE HEATER SAFETY TIPS: DO’S: •• Use a space heater that has been tested to the latest safety standards and has been certified by a nationally recognized testing laboratory, such as Underwriters Laboratory (UL). These heaters have the most up-to-date safety features. Older space heaters may not meet

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newer safety standards.

•• Always follow the manufacturer’s directions for proper use.

•• Place the heater on a level, hard, nonflammable surface, such as a ceramic tile floor.

•• Keep the heater at least three feet away from bedding, drapes, furniture and other flammable materials.

•• Keep children and pets away from space heaters.

•• Turn the heater off if you leave the area.

•• Use space heaters only as a supplementary source of heat.

•• Inspect the heater’s cord periodically to look for frayed wire or damaged insulation. Check for a secure plug/outlet fit.

•• If you have a liquid-fueled space heater, use only the fuel recommended by the manufacturer.

DON’TS: •• Never leave a space heater on when you go to sleep.

•• Do not place a space heater close to any sleeping person.

•• Never use gasoline in a kerosene space heater,

as even small amounts of gasoline mixed with kerosene can increase the risk of fire.

•• Do not use portable propane space heaters indoors or in any confined space unless they are specifically designed for indoor use.

•• Unless the heater is designed for use outdoors or in bathrooms, do not use in damp, wet areas.

•• Do not use extension cords with space heaters.

•• Do not place heaters on furniture.

Also, be sure to place smoke detectors on every level of your home, outside of sleeping areas and inside each bedroom. Carbon monoxide alarms should also be installed to guard against carbon monoxide poisonings. Make sure that your batteries are fresh and working in all alarms. You should test and replace your batteries at the same time you change your clocks for Daylight Savings Time.

wisconsin farm bureau federation

“WHY DO I USE FS?” “What really sets FS apart

is what they know about farming, and our farm in particular. They really know our land and our operation, and we can trust that the recommendations they make are going to work for us.”

THE LOCAL ANSWER TO YOUR WORLD OF NEEDS.

™

Stan & Willis Kelsey

Corn and soybean growers

october | november 2012

www.wfbf.com

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Rural Mutual Insurance Company

www.ruralins.com

We value what’s important in life. That’s why we have been protecting families, businesses and farms exclusively in Wisconsin for over 75 years. In fact, we are the number one insurer of farms in the state offering the best coverage for Wisconsin’s $60 billion agriculture industry. Premiums paid here, stay here to keep Wisconsin strong.

We recognize that agri-business requires special protection. After all, your farm operation is your home, your business, and a considerable capital investment.

To protect your livelihood, call 1-877-219-9550 or visit our website and we can show you the variety of coverage’s available to address all your insurance needs.

Premiums Paid Here, Stay Here To Keep Wisconsin Strong.