What is VFA®?
Volunteers for Agriculture® (VFA) is Wisconsin Farm Bureau’s political action committee. Since 1990, the VFA has helped elect candidates who work for agriculture’s interests in Madison. The VFA builds strong relationships with legislators of both parties to help us achieve our legislative priorities. It is the leading farm-related and rural-focused political action committee in Wisconsin supporting a diverse range of candidates who fight for farm families.
2024 Candidate Endorsements
The VFA Committee has endorsed candidates for the State Assembly and State Senate in the 2024 General Election. You can view a full list of the VFA Committee's endorsements here.
Friends of Farm Bureau Need Support
VFA is the way that we can support those who fight for us. Lawmakers who earn our endorsement can say they have the backing of our farming community in their campaigns. The name recognition, contributions, network, and support we provide help our friends with the very real needs of running and funding a campaign.
Elect Candidates Who Will Fight for Agriculture in Madison
Contributions to VFA are used to support farm-friendly candidates running for the Wisconsin State Senate, Assembly, and other statewide offices. While supporting individual candidates is effective, your contributions to VFA will allow your resources to help a wide range of candidates who are supportive of Wisconsin's farming community and impact greater change.
Farmers Decide Who Will Be Endorsed
Wisconsin has hundreds of political actions committees. There are a handful that are truly grassroots and even fewer that focus on rural life and agriculture. VFA is uniquely run by a committee of farmers from across Wisconsin that oversee and direct Farm Bureau's political advocacy and engagement. Candidates are evaluated on a host of criteria, including their voting records and input from county Farm Bureau's.
“As a committee of farmers and agriculturists, the VFA truly looks out for the best interest of Wisconsin farmers. This group identifies the candidate who will be the best advocate for our members at the Capitol. With less than two percent of the U.S. population still farming, this has never been more critical.”
– Joe Bragger, Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation District 4 Board Director
“The VFA supported me for State Assembly in 2014 and 2016 because they appreciate my farming background and as a farm owner/manager they know I speak their language. The farmers that make up the VFA committee take their role seriously. They endorse candidates, like me, who believe and understand how important agriculture is to Wisconsin. They get behind candidates who understand farming concerns and will work in the Capitol for those causes.”
– State Representative Deb Kolste, Democrat from Janesville
“The Volunteers for Agriculture is a very effective and respected group when it comes to electing ag-friendly candidates to the legislature and statewide office. Farm Bureau’s political action committee is made up of farmers who are willing to meet with and engage candidates and ask the tough questions to determine whether a candidate will earn the organization’s endorsement. In the last several election cycles the VFA’s track record of success has been around 95% so when I earned their endorsement in my first run for state office I knew it meant something special. Farm Bureau members need to understand how important VFA support is to protecting agriculture’s interests. I know I sure do.”
– State Representative Tony Kurtz, Republican from Wonewoc
VFA's Record Speaks Volumes
VFA has helped to elect leaders in Madison for more than 30 years. We have an excellent track record of backing candidates who have earned the support of farm families. Election after election, 90% or more of VFA's endorsed candidates win in the general election. We will continue to endorse candidates who will stand up for farm families in the Legislature and are invested in the future of Wisconsin agriculture and the rural communities they represent. Your financial contributions make that difference!
Unified, We Harvest The Strength to Shape Tomorrow
VFA will be working to refresh our Farm Bureau advocacy and publicly showcase the extent of our farmer network across the state. This is the foundation of our grassroots strength. It is essential we have a strong and unified voice to ensure that the interests of farmers and rural communities are well-represented in the halls of government and our priorities stay at the forefront of the decision-making process. VFA will be instrumental in advocating for our collective interests in the political arena and diligently working to showcase the need for farm-friendly officials.
There Are Multiple Ways to Financially Contribute
As a member of the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation, you have multiple options for contributing to the VFA fund. You can either contribute directly on the link below, include a $10 contribution with your annual Farm Bureau dues payment, or have it automatically added to your Rural’s Exclusive Account Plan (REAP) statement 60 days after your membership's effective date. If you choose not to contribute, simply subtract $10 from the total on the line marked 'total' for Direct Bill Voting Members, or contact Customer Service within 60 days of your membership's effective date to decline the contribution for REAP.
Here Are More Ways To Support VFA
Support Volunteers for Agriculture® by filling out the VFA Volunteer Form to advocate for agricultural initiatives during this election cycle.
VFA Volunteer Form
Please Note
Per Wisconsin law, the name and address of anyone who makes a contribution are reported to the Wisconsin Ethics Commission, the state agency that oversees campaign finance law, and are a public record that may be viewed online. Contributions are voluntary and not deductible for income tax purposes. Corporate contributions are prohibited.
