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

RURAL MUTUAL AGENTS IN LANGLADE COUNTY

Russ Van Lanen (715) 624-7594

Dave Meihak, District Manager - (715) 630-4801

Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation

Shawano’ County Farm Bureau’s Kristi Fiedler Wins WFBF Discussion Meet Congratulations to Kristi Fiedler, a Shawano County Farm Bureau YFA Kristi received a chain saw from Midwest Stihl and a free fi nancial plan, member, winner of the 2016 WFBF Young Farmer and Agriculturalist provided by Rural Mutual Insurance. Discussion Meet at the WFBF Annual Meeting and YFA Conference on December 2-5 in Wisconsin Dells. In January, Kristi is representing Wisconsin and competing in the national Discussion Meet at the American Farm Bureau Federation’s Th e Discussion Meet consists of a discussion panel where Farm Bureau 98th Annual Conference in Phoenix, Arizona. members between the ages of 18 and 35 are judged on their ability to express ideas and opinions to reach a solution on agricultural issues. She also qualifi es for the YFA trip to Washington, D.C., in 2018; as a guest of the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation during the 2017 Kristi is associate vice president of U.S. Technical Services for Genex. WFBF Annual Meeting and YFA Conference and in August of 2017, WFBF President Jim Holte, Kevin Malchine from She earned a bachelor’s degree in animal science from UW-Platteville as a special guest at the annual meeting of GROWMARK, Inc., in Growmark and Peter Pelizza from Rural Mutual and a master’s degree in management from the University of Phoenix. Chicago. Insurance presented Kristi Fiedler with a Stihl She served on the YFA Committee from 2013 to 2015 with her hus- chain saw and other prizes as winner of the 2016 band, Brian. WFBF YFA Discussion Meet. Meet Adam Kuczer, the New District 7 Board Director Plan to Attend Ag Day at the Capitol Adam Kuczer County near Pulaski. Th e crops include Join us for Ag Day at the Capitol on March 8 at the Monona Terrace and his wife corn, , wheat and . Conference Center in Madison. Get out and support with Becky have your legislators. Be the voice that makes a diff erence. fi ve children Adam was elected to serve a three-year including: term on the WFBF Board of Directors Th e Langlade County Farm Bureau will cover your cost to attend this Nicholas, representing District 7 (Langlade, Mari- one-day event. Th e schedule for the day is: 11; Sawyer, nette, Oconto, Outagamie, Shawano and 11 a.m. - Registration 9; Clara, 6; Waupaca counties). 11:30 a.m. - Opening program Cadence, 6; 11:45 a.m. - Lunch and Andrew, He succeeds Wayne Staidl of Peshtigo, 12:45 p.m. - Legislative briefi ngs 3. who retired from the board in December 3 p.m. - Leave for Capitol visits after 17 years of service. Th e family custom raises 270 heifers and For more information or to register by March 3, please contact Tom Houdek at 715.627.2156 or grows crops on 900 acres in Shawano [email protected]. We will arrange to car pool to the event.

LANGLADE COUNTY FARM BUREAU EDITION JANUARY 2017 JANUARY 2017 COUNTYnews LANGLADE COUNTY FARM BUREAU EDITION

Langlade County Farm Bureau Members Celebrate Success at Annual Meeting Th e Langlade County Elections were held for directors: Dick Bolen, Jake Bula, Darlene Farm Bureau annual Eckerman, Dale Fronek, Mary Fronek, Tom Houdek, Jim Jansen, meeting was on Octo- Samantha Schuessler and Christy Sveda-Schreiber. Others elected as ber 19 at the Fair- promotion and education committee chair was Bev Brecklin and as grounds Clover Room Young Farmer and Agriculturist committee chair was Joe Markgraf. in Antigo. Th ere was an excellent turnout with Elected to serve as delegates to the WFBF Annual Meeting were: 37 members and guests. Dick Bolen, Jake Bula and Tom Houdek.

WSAW TV meteorolo- Tom Houdek presented the resolutions from the policy develop- gist Mark Holley talked ment meeting. Th e resolutions that passed were: about his experiences WSAW TV meteorologist Mark Holley made in agriculture and the 1. Th e current fence law should be modifi ed to require livestock the weather come alive at the Langlade weather before a deli- farmers to be responsible for maintaining fences to contain their County Farm Bureau annual meeting. cious chicken dinner livestock. provided by Insight FS and prepared at FS Fast Stop. 2. We oppose any general requirement that all streams or lakes must be fenced. Other guest speakers included members of the Wisconsin 4-H 3. Due to variations in karst areas in Wisconsin, we shouldn’t get a Council: Mitch Schroepfer, Olivia Zern and Abby Luerssen; as well blanket regulation that would cover the entire state. Regulations as Land Conservation Department Administrator, Marie Graupner, should be specifi c to individual areas aff ected. and WFBF Chief Administrative Offi cer Dale Beaty. Our next annual meeting is planned for October 18 so make plans Two Langlade County Farm Bureau bylaw changes were adopted to join us for another enjoyable and informative evening. changing the board of director’s representation districts and renam- ing the women’s committee to the promotion and education Tom Houdek committee. Langlade County Farm Bureau President

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

2 President’s Message YFA Conference Sveda Dairy Farm Visit Wayne Staidl Retires WFBF Board Member Wayne Staidl discussed transportation and other Members of the Wisconsin 4-H Council included: Mitch Schroepfer, Olivia Essay Contest state topics. He retired from the board after representing District 7 for Zern and Abby Luerssen. 17 years.

Langlade County Farm Bureau Takes on a New Community Project By Dick Bolen 3 District YFA Report Please keep this date open: June 8. Langlade County Farm Bureau and desserts, so anyone willing to bake for us, we will greatly appre- YFA Report will host Music in the Park. ciate it. ‘Playbook’ Resource We will serve food and refreshments. Come and enjoy a good polka Th is is our fundraiser for the year that will help fund: Ag in the band while helping support the Langlade County Farm Bureau’s Classroom, FFA Farm Forum and Food for America. Member Benefits many ag promotion projects. For more information or to volunteer, please contact Tom Houdek Board Contacts We will need some help to make this a success. We will need pies at 715.627.2156 or Dick Bolen at 715.623.6974.

Langlade County Farm Bureau: 888.377.0298 wfbf.com/countyfarmbureaus/langlade President’s Message Th e delegates elected at the county Langlade County Farm was presented to Sam Skemp for his outstanding contribu- Adam Kuczer was elected to a three-year term on the WFBF Bureau annual meeting in October traveled to Wisconsin tions. Sam grew up on a dairy farm near La Crosse. He started Board of Directors representing District 7: Langlade, Dells in early December to represent Langlade County Farm his career with the FS system as a nutritionist in Coon Valley Marinette, Oconto, Outagamie, Shawano and Waupaca Bureau at the WFBF Annual meeting. and served in several positions in the FS system. Sam fi nished counties. He raises heifers and grows crops near Pulaski. his 34-year career as general manager of Frontier Servco FS. Adam succeeds Wayne Staidl of Peshtigo, who retired after Attending were Darlene Eckerman, Dick Bolen and Tom serving on the Board of Directors for 17 years. Houdek. Jake Bula attended the YFA Conference. Jim Holte was re-elected president of WFBF for his fi fth, one-year term. Jim raises beef cattle and grows crops near Elk Tom Houdek Th e Distinguished Service to Wisconsin Agriculture Award Mound. Langlade County Farm Bureau President

YFA Conference Highlights By Jake Bula District 7 WFBF Board Representative Retires On the weekend of December 3, I attended District 7 WFBF Board of Director Wayne Staidl the YFA Conference at the Kalahari Resorts announced his retirement during the WFBF Annual in Wisconsin Dells with more than 450 other Meeting in December. YFA members from around the state. Wayne represented District 7 for the last 17 years. We listened to some very impactful speakers including: Vance Crowe, Monsanto’s direc- Wayne and his son Ryan own and operate a crop and tor of millennial engagement; and Aaron beef farm near Peshtigo in Marinette County. Th omas, a high school football coach and principal with a very important inspirational Wayne continues to be active in the Marinette WFBF President Jim Holte recognized retir- message and story. County Farm Bureau, serving as vice president and ing WFBF Board of Director Wayne Staidl Jake Bula (third from right) meets with other membership chair. and his wife Mary. Wayne represented Dis- During the weekend, we enjoyed some very District 7 YFA members to discuss opportunities trict 7 for 17 years. entertaining music acts; the Soggy provided by the Farm Bureau YFA program. Boys bluegrass band on Friday night, and the Tonic Sol-fa, an Emmy Award winning a new friends and reconnect with others. cappella quartet on Saturday night. Essay Contest and Book of the Year Announced It also is a great reason to get away for the weekend. I hope I get to go again next year. Wisconsin Bureau Foundation’s Promotion and Educa- Th e conference is always full of great infor- fourth and fi fth tion Committee. As a treat for the state winner mation, plenty of fun and a chance to meet grade students this year, the author will visit his or her class- are being room to do a special presentation. encouraged to Students Visit the Sveda Dairy Farm By Christy Sveda-Schreiber participate in Last year, more than 3,000 students partici- October 7 was an educational day for the Th ey gave multiple fun facts, answered ques- the Wisconsin pated in the contest. Th e contest is sponsored Antigo Independently Motivated Students tion and then fi nished with dairy inspired Ag in Class- by Insight FS, We Energies and the Wisconsin (AIMS) class. Th e students range from kin- treats! room essay Farm Bureau Foundation. dergarten to 12th grade. contest answer- Th is is the second tour the AIMS class has ing the state- Ag in the Classroom is designed to help stu- My daughters Gwyneth and Cadence pre- taken of the farm. Gwyneth and Cadence ment, ‘Tell us dents in kindergarten through high school to sented and answered questions during the enjoyed teaching their peers about our dairy about cranberry understand the importance of agriculture. It tour from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. farm and agriculture in general. production in Wisconsin during one of the is coordinated by the Wisconsin Farm Bureau four seasons.’ Federation in cooperation with the U.S. Th e girls chose to separate the class into two We hope that the students have a better Department of Agriculture and by a grant groups. Th ey walked through the barn and understanding of how farmers take care of Essay submissions must be 100- to 300-words from the Wisconsin Department of Agricul- taught students how the cows are milked, their livestock and of how important agricul- in length and will be judged on content, gram- ture, Trade and Consumer Protection. fed and cared for. Th e students also got to ture is. We look forward to giving more tours mar, spelling and neatness. see some of the equipment and machinery it in 2017! If you know of any fourth or fi fth grade takes to operate a modern farm. All contest rules, lesson plans and sample class- students who want to write an essay, please room activities are at wisagclassroom.org. Par- contact Ag in the Classroom coordinator ticipating students and schools need to submit Darlene Arneson at [email protected] or essays by April 1. 608.828.5664.

Th e essay contest coincides with the Wiscon- For essay contest information and rules, and sin Ag in the Classroom book of the year Time more about Ag in the Classroom, visit www. for Cranberries by Wisconsin author Lisl H. wisagclassroom.org Detlefsen.

Th e book and essay topic will allow students to learn about cranberries and the important role they play in agriculture.

One county winner will be selected and will be forwarded on to the district level. Each district winner will receive a classroom presentation in May for their homeroom or class.

Gwyneth Schreiber introduced the Sveda Farm Cadence and Gwyneth distributed some dairy A state winner will be selected from nine dis- cows to the AIMS students last October. treats to the students after the farm tour. trict winners in May by the Wisconsin Farm

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: Langlade County Farm Bureau Contacts: President, Tom Houdek 715.627.2156 Auto Communication Financial Vice President, Robert Fronek 715.623.2416 • General Motors Discount • AgriVisor • AgriPlan Medical Secretary/Treasurer, Health • Th e Country Today Reimbursement Program Christy Sveda-Schreiber 715.623.7097 • ScriptSave® Prescription Drug Savings Card Insurance • Farm Bureau Bank • Life Line (NEW) • Rural Mutual Insurance Company Protection Promotion and Education Chair Supplies and Products • Farm Bureau Financial Services • $500 Reward Protection Beverly Brecklin 715.623.4153 • Case IH Travel Program YFA Chair, Joe Markgraf 715.216.3868 • Caterpillar • AAA • Accidental Death Policy • FS-GROWMARK Patronage • AVIS Car Rental Discount Program Director, Richard Bolen 715.623.6974 • Grainger • Budget (NEW) Director, Jake Bula 715.623.6779 • Offi ce Depot • Choice Hotels International, Inc. Director, Darlene Eckerman 715.623.2520 • Wyndham Hotel Group Director, Mary Fronek 715.623.2416 Director, James Jansen 715.623.6261 For complete details visit wfbf.com/benefi ts-membership. Director, Samantha Schuessler 715.219.3854

District 7 YFA Report By Brian Preder WFBF Board Director, Adam Kuczer 920.609.0718 District 7 Coordinator, Wes Raddatz 866.355.7346 Erickson from Outagamie County and Kyle Much from RMIC District Manager, Dave Meihak 715.630.4801 Waupaca County for representing District 7 YFA in the Discussion Meet. Kristi Fielder and Kristy Erickson advanced to the Elite 8 round. ‘Playbook’ is a Great Resource By Katelin Haglund For the second year in a row, District 7 had a YFA member advance and win the Final 4 round. Congratulations to Kristi Are you looking for an idea Fielder on winning the coveted STHIL chain saw. In January, for an activity and not sure Kristi will represent Wisconsin in Phoenix, Arizona, during the where to start? Checkout the AFBF Annual Convention. Good luck Kristi! Promotion and Education Committee’s ‘Playbook.’ Our fi rst District 7 YFA event is Feb- ruary 18. We scheduled the annual Th e ‘Playbook’ contains Langlade Farm Bureau YFA member Jake Bula lines up a shot at the Green Bay Gambler’s hockey game activities and events that other Skee Ball ramp during the District 7 YFA meeting ‘ice breaker’ dur- as a joint event with District 6. After counties have held around the state for Ag in the Classroom, ing the YFA Conference. the hockey game, we will enjoy pizza consumer outreach, education and ag promotion, fundrais- Hello District 7 YFA members. As we start the new year, I and soda in the Indoor Patio at Green ing, member development and policy and development hope that you had a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Bay Distillery. It is a great opportu- implementation. Th e Playbook was created as a resource for nity to meet fellow YFA members. members to share ideas. Look for the ‘Playbook’ link on the It was another great year of Farm Bureau tradition. In Decem- WFBF home page. ber, that tradition was easy to see during the YFA Conference To purchase your tickets, please contact me or your county at the Kalahari Resorts in Wisconsin Dells. YFA chair by February 1. Do you have a successful event or activity (or even not-so successful)? Th e Promotion and Education Committee wants More than 450 YFA members attended the conference and Green Bay Gamblers versus the Sioux City Musketeers on you to share your knowledge and submit your ‘play’ to the listened to a great keynote speaker Vance Crowe, who shared Saturday, February 18; game time 7:05 p.m. at the Resch ‘Playbook.’ his experience as the director of millennial engagement for Center, 1901 S. Oneida Street, Green Bay. Monsanto. He encouraged us to tell our story of tradition. We want to keep the ideas fl owing and will update the ‘Play- Tickets book’ quarterly so the next update will be March 15. Adding Attendees built on their knowledge during breakout sessions $16 - adults a play to the ‘Playbook’ is simple. ranging from how to get the most out of Farm Bureau to get- $13 - children ages 4 to 14 ting hands-on exposure to some of the newest apps for agricul- Free - children 3 and younger 1. Visit www.wfbf.com. ture. Attendees also networked and met YFA members from 2. Click on the ‘Playbook’ icon. around the state. As always, if you have ideas for events or want to help with 3. Download the ‘play’ submission page. a county event, please let me know. Stay warm and keep the 4. Fill out. Th ank you to Kristi Fielder from Shawano County, Kristy Farm Bureau tradition alive. 5. Email to Deb Raemisch at [email protected].

If you have questions or want help, please contact me at YFA Report By Joe Markgraf 715.210.5384 or [email protected]. My name is Joe Markgraf and I am origi- Now, I am a Pioneer sales representative for nally from Antigo. I grew up on a potato Langlade county and the surrounding area. Humor Corner farm north of town, so I have been exposed By Wes Raddatz, District 7 Coordinator to agriculture from early on. I am a member of the Antigo FFA Alumni Do we really need to fi nd a ‘Fountain of Youth’? and support the local 4-H club. It would be better to fi nd a ‘fountain of Smart!’ During high school, I worked on dairy farms and was active in FFA, serving as the Antigo My goal is to advocate for agriculture in our Did you hear about the origami store? FFA chapter vice president and president. community as much as possible. It folded.

After I graduated from high school, I Wisconsin Farm Bureau Why is your nose in the middle of your face? attended UW-River Falls studying crop and Young Farmer Because it is the scenter. science. I earned a bachelor’s degree in agronomy and completed my course work in and Agriculturist Program What does a dentist call x-rays? two and a half years. Tooth pics.

Langlade County Farm Bureau: 888.377.0298 wfbf.com/countyfarmbureaus/langlade