This year Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation is 100 years old. From the beginning, Farm Bureau has been a grassroots organization aimed at meeting member needs and advocating for agriculture. From insurance to taxation to policy, our members, board and staff have worked diligently over the years to do what is best for Wisconsin agriculture.
With everyone’s hectic schedule it’s easy to say, “I’m too busy.”
“I’m too busy to go to the meeting.”
“I’m to busy to run for the board.”
As farmers we need to remember that so much affects us from outside our farm gate. Getting involved, bringing your ideas forward and telling your personal stories are very important in helping make policy change.
The Farm Bureau’s policy development process generally starts in summer when members get together to begin discussing local, state and national issues and drafting policy. The drafted policy will then be introduced and voted on at the county Farm Bureau Annual Meetings. Once passed at the county meeting, it is sent to the state Policy Development Committee. This committee will combine similar policies from different counties and prepare these for voting delegates to review, which occurs at the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Annual Meeting. At the end of the meeting, these delegates vote on which polices will be passed and put into action. Any national policy will be passed onto American Farm Bureau for consideration.
Change will only happen with passionate people continuing to push policy forward. I encourage everyone to get involved, not only in their communities, but also in Farm Bureau so that we can ensure a bright future for Wisconsin agriculture for the next 100 years.
Kevin Krentz
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 of 2018, Kevin was elected as Vice-President of the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation.
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