Graduates of the Wisconsin Farm Bureau’s Leadership Institute and Wisconsin Farm Bureau’s Board of Directors visited Washington, D.C. February 27-March 3. The trip marked the completion of the Leadership Institute, a year-long leadership training program available to Farm Bureau members.
Farm Bureau leaders became lobbyists for a day while meeting with Wisconsin’s congressional delegation in Washington, D.C. on March 1. The issues discussed were the 2018 Farm Bill, immigration reform, wolves and modernization of the Endangered Species Act, Dairy Pride Act and federal research and cooperative extension funding and regulatory reform.
WFBF Board of Directors also met with officials from the U.S. Department of Agriculture where they discussed issues pertaining to nutrient management. They discussed the 2018 Farm Bill with the House Ag Committee Democratic staff and the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Republican staff. The group also met with National Milk Producers Federation to discuss the dairy provisions of the 2018 Farm Bill and international trade.
In addition to meeting with Wisconsin’s congressional delegation, Farm Bureau members also attended American Farm Bureau’s Advocacy Conference, toured George Washington’s Mount Vernon, the U.S. Capitol and enjoyed a night tour of the national monuments.
“The trip to Washington, D.C., was an amazing experience both personally and professionally,” said Door County Farm Bureau member Lauren Brey. “Attending the AFBF Advocacy Conference was a great opportunity to meet Farm Bureau members from around the country and learn from AFBF about issues that are affecting us on our farms, including immigration and the 2018 Farm Bill. I enjoyed meeting with elected representatives to share what needs to be done to ensure agriculture remains vibrant and strong in Wisconsin and across the U.S.”
Members of the 2016 Farm Bureau Institute class include: Lauren Brey, Sturgeon Bay; Taliah Danzinger, Durand; Kristy Erickson, Clintonville; Trent Erickson, Viroqua; Matt Graff, Waupun; Derek Husmoen, Arcadia; Emily Rose Johnson, Janesville; Ryan Klussendorf, Medford; Kenneth Levzow, Rio; Derek Sedlacek, Mishicot; Leslie Svacina, Deer Park; Jill Uhe, Janesville; Tammy Wiedenbeck, Lancaster; and Melissa Yates, Merrill.
For more information about the Wisconsin Farm Bureau’s Institute, visit http://wfbf.com/programsevents/leadership-training-institute/.
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