Non Profit Organization Winnebago County Farm Bureau US Postage PAID PO Box 5550 Madison, WI 53705 Platteville, WI 53818 Permit No. 124 Address Service Requested

Rural Mutual Insurance Company

For information about our farm safety campaign, contact your local Rural Mutual agent.

Rural Mutual Agents in Winnebago County:

Andrew Ballard (920) 233-4902 Jon Berger (920) 230-6886

Tom Gustafson - District Manager

Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation

Local Students Attend Farm Bureau’s FFA Farm Forum A Member Benefi t the Whole Family Can Enjoy! Get your peanuts and Cracker Jacks wood’s League team! ready! Th e teams in Th e Farm Bureau Federation Wisconsin include , and Rural Mutual Insurance Company , , are teaming up for a special Farm Bureau , Green Bay Member Appreciation Day at the ball- Bullfrogs, Kenosha Kingfi sh, La Crosse parks of the eight Wisconsin North- Loggers and the Wisconsin Rapids Raf- wood’s League teams. ters.

“Th is will be a great oppor- “Nothing beats sitting tunity for Farm Bureau in your favorite ballpark, members to take part in a watching your favorite team member event and enjoy on a hot, sunny day, with America’s favorite past time,” a hot dog smothered with said Jim Holte, President of all the goods in one hand the Wisconsin Farm Bureau and an ice cold drink in the Federation. other,” said Todd Argall, Winneconne FFA members were among the more advocating for agriculture, leadership and more. Vice President of Customer than 160 high school students who attended the Joining Holte as keynote speakers at the event From, May through August, there will Acquisition and Service with Rural Wisconsin Farm Bureau’s FFA Farm Forum in were Kaitlyn Riley, WQOW multimedia journal- be three Farm Bureau Member Apprecia- Mutual Insurance. “We are looking for- Wisconsin Rapids on February 20-21. ist and 2014 Wisconsin Fairest of the Fairs and tion games at each of the eight Wiscon- ward to seeing you at the ballpark.” Gretchen Kamps, a beef farmer and Wisconsin sin teams. Th is will be a special event “Th e Wisconsin Farm Bureau is proud to host this Farm Bureau District 3 Coordinator. for Farm Bureau members with deals on Tickets can be purchased by ordering annual event with the FFA to help grow the next game tickets that will include a team hat, from each team’s website or by call- crop of agricultural leaders in Wisconsin,” said Jim Th e Wisconsin Farm Bureau Foundation sponsors soda and a hot dog. ing their ticket offi ce. To receive the Holte, president of the Wisconsin Farm Bureau the FFA Farm Forum in cooperation with the Wis- discounted price use the promotion code Federation. consin Association of FFA. Th is year’s FFA Farm Th ere also will be special recognition of ‘farmbureau’. rd Forum marks the 43 year the Farm Bureau family Farm Bureau during the game as well During the two-day event at Hotel Mead, FFA of affi liates has sponsored the event for Wisconsin as advertising in the program book and To see the list of Farm Bureau games, members attended workshops including post-high youth. radio ads so support your local North- visit wfbf.com/benefi ts-membership. school agricultural opportunities, social media, WINNEBAGO COUNTY FARM BUREAU EDITION MAY 2015 MAY 2015 COUNTYnews WINNEBAGO COUNTY FARM BUREAU EDITION

Winnebago County Farm Bureau Members Attend Ag Day At the Capitol Members of Winnebago County Farm Bureau, along with nearly spoke to the group about high capacity wells and the UW System 400 other farmers and members from various farm and commodity budget and Bob Welch, Th e Welch Group, Inc., who spoke about groups throughout Wisconsin attended Ag Day at the Capitol on transportation. March 11 at the Monona Terrace Convention Center in Madison. In addition, the WFBF Government Relations team including Ag Day at the Capitol is the largest gathering of farmers from across Karen Gefvert, Rob Richard and Paul Zimmerman briefed everyone the state convening to learn more about issues in agriculture as well about wolves, Implements of Husbandry and the proposed budget. as meeting with their state representatives. Following the briefi ng session at the Monona Terrace, members Attendees listened to Governor Scott Walker who spoke about the walked to the Capitol to meet with local representatives and speak importance of agriculture to Wisconsin’s economy. Members also about issues important to our agriculture industry. heard from Jordan Lamb, attorney with Dewitt Ross & Stevens who

Winnebago County Farm Bureau members (L-R) Charlie Knigge, Kevin Winnebago County YFA members Charlie Knigge and Brittany Teske at Radloff , Jim Kasten, Randi Brooks and Stacy Freund posed with “I am WI the 2015 Ag Day at the Capitol. Ag Proud” signs at Ag Day at the Capitol held March 11. INSIDE THIS ISSUE: YFA Stompin’ at the Shed Event a Success Th e Winnebago County YFA committee Also, thank you to the many area businesses 2 President’s Report organized a successful Stompin’ at the Shed that made the event possible. party on January 31 at Brigton Acres in Meet District YFA Reps Oshkosh. More than 215 people attended Th e committee is already making plans the event! for next year. If you having suggestions District 5 Discussion Meet or want to get involved in the planning Th ank you to the Winnebago YFA commit- process, please contact Charlie Knigge at Welcome New Members tee for their work in organizing the event 920.379.3934. including Charlie Knigge, Russ Kriha, Jade Buchholz, Neil Stone and Brittany Teske. 3 Come to the County Fair Dairy Breakfast Date Mark Your Calendar Annual Meeting Date District Director Report

Winnebago County Farm Bureau: 866.666.8015 wfbf.com/countyfarmbureaus/winnebago President’s Report As the busiest time of year for do it while milking the cows. Remove distracting stimulation and face the horizon convinced next year is "the year." Th at many of us in the agricultural to give your mind a break. When you are not coming up with makes agriculture admirable and forward thinking. industry unfolds, I have a a solution on your own, look for resources to help you with a lot on my mind, a lot on my decision. Lastly, anxiety is a tough one to deal with. It usually sneaks list of "it needs to be taken in and ruins a good party! If we have done all that we can to care of," a farmer’s belief that It seems that the "it needs to be taken care of now" pile is ensure success we should not need it, but there it is sitting at this is "the year" and a little endless in all aspects of our lives. It can be stressful to try and the head of the table. It is hard to ignore. Sometimes it can be anxiety. prioritize when we have many important things to do. Most harnessed and used to drive you to the fi nish line, sometimes of us have family, farm and community in this pile, which you must look away and focus somewhere else for success. It I bet most everyone reading leads to more complication and hurt feelings when others in is a tricky one! my statement is thinking, me our lives think we have not prioritized correctly. too! As you read through this newsletter, I hope you can commit I suggest that at diff erent times each should be a priority for some time to help your community in the coming months. Let’s join forces and make this a great year for our farms, a truly successful life. Make sure it really belongs in this pile, We have the "biggies" coming up including Breakfast on the families and our organization. Here are a few suggestions for a ask for help when you can and remember a balanced life is Farm and the Winnebago County Fair Food Booth. Your help successful year. important. contributes to showing our important and special way of life.

When we have a lot on our mind we must respect ourselves In agriculture optimism reigns supreme. We face many nega- I do hope this fi nds you with a clear mind, short "to-do" lists, enough to take the time to think through the important tasks tives as we go forward. Weather, markets, regulations, chang- upbeat attitude and a little time to off er the organization! ahead of us. Find a place that you can let your mind wander ing social views, overwhelming workloads and of course taxes! and think about the next moves that you want to make. Agriculturally yours, Th e absolute best thing about agriculture, as a community, is Jim Kasten Many farmers do their best thinking while driving tractor, I when our expectations are not achieved, we get right back up Winnebago County Farm Bureau President

Meet Your District YFA Reps: Amanda and Josh Knoch District 5 Discussion Meet Scheduled for August 24 Little did I know that I would be elected to Th e District 5 Discussion Meet will be held 4. How do we get the public to support right- the board that fi rst night. at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, August 24, at the to-farm laws? Should these laws be determined Marquette County UW-Extension Building in on the state or the federal level? Why did you decide to apply to be the Montello. Th e cost for the meal is $12. district 5 YFA chairs? 5. How can we infl uence state and local policy In June of 2014, Josh and I attended the For more information, please contact District that more eff ectively balances the social and Washington, D.C., fl y-in and we saw a YFA Chair Amanda Knoch at 608.369.1091. economic interests of farmers and ranchers ver- glimpse of the importance of Farm Bureau sus burdensome federal regulation? on the national level. Th is was a great expe- Discussion Meet Questions for 2015 rience for us as it opened our eyes to what 1. How should Farm Bureau protect and Th e District 5 discussion meet question will be we can do on a local and state level to help encourage producers’ ability to use new tech- #5. our nation level Farm Bureau succeed. Th is nology? How can Farm Bureau work with made me want to become more involved in government and the public to ensure public Tell us about yourself including back- Farm Bureau at the state level to bring the acceptance while encouraging innovation? ground, jobs, where you live, family and local, state and national levels closer. hobbies. 2. Should we draft policy to protect live- My name is Amanda Knoch and my What is one of your goals as the district stock producers from false accusations husband's is Josh. We live just north of YFA chair? regarding animal welfare? What could it Westfi eld. I’m a farm insurance underwriter My goal as district chair is to work with look like? and my husband Josh works on our family’s counties to become active participants in farm in northern Marquette County. We the state competitions and to work to bring 3. How do we balance agriculture’s water crop 1,300 acres and milk 300 cows. Josh attention to District 5’s YFA program. needs with maintaining vibrant communi- and I have been married for two years and ties? How do historical water rights infl u- have a little farmer boy expected to make What advice do you have for other YFA ence this discussion? his appearance in June of 2015. Josh also is members that want to be more involved an emergency medical technician and fi re- in Farm Bureau? man. During the summer, we enjoy garden- My advice for anyone interested in getting Welcome New Farm Bureau Members ing and canning. more involved is to contact your county YFA chair to learn about events, activi- How long have you been a Farm Bureau ties and opportunities that are hosted in member? our district or county. Th is will help you Benjamin Lipinski Jeff Thurk Mitchell Kunde Offi cially I have been a member of Farm learn what you enjoy about Farm Bureau James Schuld Chad Shaw Jacque Gibson Bureau for six years; however, unoffi cially the most and continue to help build and I have been in Farm Bureau since birth improve the event, activity or opportunity. Ronald Banker Stephen Koeppl Megan Clark because my parents were active members Thomas Ruck Jamie Stobbe Melanie Andrew and so we were at the Farm Bureau events Anything else you want readers to know? throughout the county. I want to let others know that I look Shelly Paulick Andrew Mentzel Diana Cram forward to working with them and I am Samantha Kops Amber Wachowski Bruce Brazee Why did you fi rst join Farm Bureau? excited to see all of the counties and their Joseph Rogers Heidi Norris Herbert Berendsen I fi rst joined Farm Bureau because my YFA programs fl ourish during the upcom- brother was the county president and I ing years. If any has any questions or Brian Marx Justin Geise wanted to attend a meeting to see what it concerns do not hesitate to give me a call or Todd Purdy Carol Neuser was like on the adult level instead of just send me an email. I look forward to work- being the helper for the adult members. ing with a great district!

Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation 1.800.261.FARM www.wfbf.com Newsletter subscription of $3 is included in Farm Bureau dues. There are Benefi ts to Your Farm Bureau Membership: Winnebago County Farm Bureau Contacts: President, Jim Kasten 920.658.3036 Auto Communication Financial Vice President, Randi Brooks 920.420.2634 • General Motors Discount • AgriVisor • AgriPlan Medical Secretary/Treasurer, Dan Hinz 920.376.0371 Health • Th e Country Today Reimbursement Program Women’s Chair, Carol Ihde 920.722.2961 • ScriptSave® Prescription Drug Savings Card Insurance • Farm Bureau Bank • Stroke Detection Plus • Rural Mutual Insurance Company Protection YFA Chair, Charlie Knigge 920.685.5531 Supplies and Products • Farm Bureau Financial Services • $500 Reward Protection • Case IH Travel Program Director, Cecelia Brooks 920.420.3660 • FS-GROWMARK Patronage • AAA • Accidental Death Policy Director, Jade Buchholz 608.369.1044 • Grainger • AVIS Car Rental Discount Program Director, John Egan 920.379.3800 • Polaris (NEW) • Choice Hotels International, Inc. Director, Carol Ihde 920.809.4117 • Offi ce Depot • Wyndham Hotel Group Director, Charlie Knigge 920.279.3934 Director, Russell Kriha 608.436.4764 For complete details visit wfbf.com/benefi ts-membership. Director, Becky Mills 920.279.5732 Director, Kevin Radloff 920.589.5515 Director, Brittany Teske 920.379.0419 Come to the Winnebago County Fair! Director, Amy Zentner 920.426.1056 Th e Winnebago County Fair will be August 4-9. Make sure to check out the Farm Bureau food stand at the fair and be prepared to experience something new! Winnebago County Farm Bureau 866.666.8015 Once again, the Winnebago County Farm Bureau will operate WFBF Board Director, Kevin Krentz 920.361.7380 a food stand; however, this year the committee will be making If you are interested in volunteer- District 5 Coordinator, Becky Hibicki 866.355.2029 some major changes to the menu! ing, please contact Russ Kriha at RMIC District Manager, Chuck Reitz III 920.921.6402 608.436.4764. County Annual Meeting Date Set Plan to Attend the Winnebago County June Dairy Breakfast Th e Winnebago County Farm Bureau annual On June 13 is the Winnebago County Breakfast on the meeting will be held October 8 at Wedge- Farm. Th is year the host is Mike and Jane Pamer and fam- wood Supper Club in Omro. ily in Winneconne. Watch your mail for more details. Th e breakfast has a revised menu that includes an egg omelet, sausage, pancakes, fruit salad, Wisconsin cheese, cheese curds, milk, chocolate milk and ice cream. District Director Report Why are you a member of Farm Th ere will be music performed by Star Fire Family Band. Bureau? Farm Bureau means many things to diff erent people. Th is is Other events include kid’s games, educational displays, important not only for your own antique tractor display and modern day equipment and success but in how you communi- tractor display. cate with volunteer leaders and new members. Sustainability is key to If you can volun- any organization. Finding and keep- teer on June 12 and ing strategic people is an intricate 13, please contact part of the success of Farm Bureau. Amy Zentner. Th is is a big event and Many people join because of our relationship with Rural Insur- we need all of the ance or the member benefi ts that Farm Bureau off ers. But oth- volunteers that we ers join and fi nd success in the Young Farmer and Agriculturist can get. programs and the leadership programs that Farm Bureau off ers.

Th ank you and hope If you talk to members, they express the need for socialization. to see you at Pamer Many fi nd meeting and networking with other like-minded Farms! people is important to their own leadership successes. Many members also understand the value of Farm Bureau being a collective voice for the members.

Wisconsin’s largest ag organization means diff erent things to Upcoming Events – Mark Your Calendar everyone. As we work with volunteers or approach new mem- August 24 District 5 Discussion Meet - Montello bers it is important to realize what drives them. We also need to communicate why we are members in order to build relation- June 13 Winnebago County Dairy Breakfast - Mike and Jane Pamer’s ships and make county Farm Bureaus thrive.

Farm, Winneconne Membership is key to a growing organization. I want to thank everyone who has asked someone to join Farm Bureau. It helps August 4-9 Winnebago County Fair - Sunnyview Expo Center, Oshkosh in your leadership and in the continual transition of a prosper- October 8 Winnebago County Farm Bureau Annual Meeting, Wedgewood ous Farm Bureau. Keep up the good work! Supper Club, Omro Have a blessed and safe growing season!

Kevin Krentz WFBF District 5 Board Director

Winnebago County Farm Bureau: 866.666.8015 wfbf.com/countyfarmbureaus/winnebago