Date: 11/21/11-6/29/12
Travel With Pam & Holiday Vacations
Date: 5/26/12-7/1/12
June Dairy Breakfast Schedule
Date: 5/26/12
Green Co. Dairy Breakfast
Date: 6/2/12
Rock Co Breakfast on the Farm
Farm Events: |
Farm News: Policy Points Adopted By Farm BureaucommentsPosted: 12.10.2010
From animal welfare to zoning, delegates at the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation’s 91st Annual Meeting in Wisconsin Dells established several new policy directives for the organization.
Farm Bureau delegates adopted the policies that will guide the legislative agenda for the state’s largest general farm organization over the next year. Resolutions submitted by farmers from across the state addressed topics like land-use, federal dairy policy and environmental regulations.
Two resolutions were passed regarding Wisconsin’s Working Lands Program, which aims to slow the loss of farmland. Farm Bureau members support making funding for the program sum sufficient to ensure that participants are fully compensated. They oppose the program’s ‘conversion fees’ being collected until both a county’s farmland preservation plan and zoning ordinances have been adopted. The organization also reaffirmed policy stating that local planning and zoning are the primary mechanisms to preserve farmland.
Concerned about the state’s dire fiscal condition, delegates support a repeal of the prevailing wage law, and a reduction in funding to the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) in the next state budget. They support changing the mediation arbitration process to allow arbitrators to modify either side’s proposal in order to reach a compromise, and noted that public employees’ wages and benefits should more closely reflect those in the private sector.
They also oppose the proposed high speed rail between Madison and Milwaukee. Their approved policy said “high speed rail service in Wisconsin should be self supporting,” and they oppose state funds being used to support the operation and maintenance of high speed rail. Agriculture would benefit more if these funds were used to repair roads and bridges.
Delegates asked that nutrient management plans required of their farms by federal, state and county agencies be consistent and uniform in their application. In parts of the state where groundwater quantity is an issue, they support allowing the DNR to regulate usage of water in groundwater management areas in consultation and with approval from a local advisory committee comprised of representatives from agriculture, industry and municipalities.
In light of debates about animal welfare in other states, they said they support farmers and veterinarians deciding appropriate husbandry practices for their farms.
Delegates also sought policy changes within two different state agencies. They are opposed to the expansion of the farming operation at the Department of Corrections and support the sale of all excess acres. They support requiring the Department of Transportation and utility companies to compensate crop producers for crops being destroyed through eminent domain or during construction of the project.
Delegates reaffirmed a policy they set last year in support for Wisconsin’s prohibition on the direct sale of raw milk to consumers. Their policy and current law do allow for incidental sales.
Wisconsin delegates also approved resolutions pertaining to federal policy. These resolutions will be forwarded to the American Farm Bureau Federation, which hosts its Annual Meeting and resolutions session next month in Atlanta. There delegates from across the country will vote on whether or not to adopt these resolutions from Wisconsin. They include:
Wisconsin delegates also had a number of suggested changes to federal dairy policy. They include:
|