A Message from WFBF President Jim Holte I’ve found plenty to shake my head at this election season. Among them is how free trade has unified opponents (and their vocal […]
International ‘Ag’vocacy
Recently, I had the opportunity to travel to Japan with my mom, Nancy Kavazanjian, who is a director on the United Soybean Board (USB). She was invited to be a […]
‘No Experience’ Doesn’t Mean a Thing
No one believes that you must be the child of a teacher in order to become a teacher yourself. It’s a laughable proposition. In fact, there are no professions that […]
Grandpa’s Gift
The soft pump of the oxygen machine is ironically comforting as I hold grandpa’s hand. They are calloused but soft. He hates the fact that in his old age his […]
Memories from America’s Dairyland
My father, Gordon Raddatz of Oshkosh, was involved in the dairy business for more than 70 years. Dad has passed away, but a few years ago we talked about his […]
America’s Dairyland Relies on Roads
Good roads paved the way for Wisconsin’s rise to the top of the dairy world a century ago. Milk needed to travel from the farm to a bottling plant or […]
Neighbors Helping Neighbors
As our world spins and things get even crazier . . . One of my favorite Bible parables is the Good Samaritan and I can almost hear my Sunday School […]
A Day in the Life with a Cranberry Farmer
Chances are when you hear the title “farmer” you think of “someone who milks cows”. You’d be right, farmers do indeed milk cows, but here in Wisconsin, the largest producer […]
Talking Tax Reform on the Hill
During our two year appointment on the Young Farmers and Ranchers National Committee, we have the opportunity to conduct Hill visits in Washington DC. As part of our training, we […]
Ag in the Classroom Program Provides Leadership and Learning
When you hear the word classroom the image of a school setting comes to mind. However, a classroom can be anywhere whether it’s a school, church group, fair or farm […]
Policy isn’t Sexy, but it’s Necessary
It starts with a little prediction and lots of preparation. It’s not always attention grabbing and engaging, but it’s crucial work if we want to keep farming. Farm Bureau policy […]
Where you’re going to be. Enjoy the Journey. Not the Destination!
This is the third part in a three-part series. To read Part I, click here. To read Part II, click here. PART III I had just boarded the plane to […]