As farmers, we plant seeds and nurture our crops; we care for our livestock, celebrate the victories of life and we feel the pain of death. No one said farming was easy, but when one has a successful crop or nurtures a calf back to health, there is no better feeling.
Our successes come from fostering and supporting. That includes our families. On farms, our children grow up working beside us. They see the struggles of a tough day and celebrate our successes with us. Farm kids have great work ethics because they understand the joys of caring for animals and the accomplishments of a hard day’s work. Our next generation and the values we pass on have always been our greatest crop.
We carry those same values in Farm Bureau – continued improvement, support and advocacy on behalf of our members. We provide training and the tools needed for the next generation
of leaders for our organization and our communities.
Farm Bureau stands up for our farmers to help weather the storms of the ever-changing regulations affecting agriculture. Technology advancements have helped not only communicate with elected officials but also with consumers in telling the story of our farmers. There are a ton of ways members can lead in regard to agriculture advocacy and Farm Bureau is here to support.
The WFBF Young Farmer and Agriculturist program gives members ages 18 to 35 many opportunities to network, discuss key issues affecting agriculture and build a base to advocate on behalf of agriculture. Many other state Farm Bureaus envy the excitement and engagement we have from this group of members.
But Farm Bureau is much more than that. We have something for all ages. From conferences to programs, we carry a wide range of training and educational opportunities.
Wisconsin Farm Bureau’s Leadership Institute just began its 2023 session.
This is WFBF’s premiere leadership training program that members of all ages can apply to be a part of. The goal is to not only help members on their personal growth journey but also build new leaders for our organization and our communities.
Next generations have always been able to adapt and thrive in the ever-changing world of agriculture. My father farmed differently than his father, I farm differently than my father and my son will continue that trend. With each generation, we have been able to become more productive, provide a better life for our families and protect the environment around us. Farming isn’t always easy, but we put our hearts and souls into feeding an ever-growing population.
Farm Bureau has thrived for over a century by gaining respect in Madison and Washington, D.C., fighting for the needs of agriculture, helping carry the farm story to consumers and inspiring new leaders. Like the farmers we represent, Farm Bureau plants seeds. Let’s plant seeds of hope, vision and success with a great crop of young leaders.
Kevin Krentz was elected to the WFBF Board of Directors in 2012 to represent District 5, which includes Adams, Fond du Lac, Green Lake, Juneau, Marquette, Waushara and Winnebago counties. In December 2020, Kevin was elected as President of the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation. Kevin and his family own a dairy farm in Berlin. He started his farming career when he purchased his father’s 60 cows in 1994. He grew the farm to 600 cows and 1,300 acres of crops.
Column originally appeared in the February | March 2023 Rural Route.
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