Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation: Ag Day at the Capitol is February 3

Web site link: http://www.wfbf.com/archivej/htmArchive/showPage.aspx?page=15686.htm&id=15686

Contact: Casey Langan, Director of Public Relations, 608-828-5711

MADISON – Ag Day at the Capitol will be held Feb. 3 at the Monona Terrace in Madison. Ag Day at the Capitol is the largest gathering of farmers from across the state representing a variety of farm groups to learn more about state issues and meet with their state legislators.

Hot topics on the legislative plate are expected to be state climate change legislation, use value assessment of farmland, animal welfare and proposed changes to the state’s nonpoint regulations known as NR 151, according to the Wisconsin Farm Bureau.

“The difference this day makes for agriculture is tremendous,” said Bill Bruins, president of the Wisconsin Farm Bureau. “By having farmers from every major farm and commodity group in the state taking part, our legislative leaders have no doubt about the needs and opportunities for a growing agricultural sector in Wisconsin.”

Registration will begin at 11 a.m. with introductions at 11:30 a.m. A pot roast lunch will be served at 11:45 a.m. Issue briefings and a panel of guest legislative speakers will begin at 12:45 p.m. At 3 p.m. attendees will then walk up the street to the State Capitol to meet with their legislators in the Wisconsin Assembly and Senate.

It is important that attendees call the offices of their legislators in advance to schedule an appointment between 3 and 5 p.m. for Feb. 3.

Register for Ag Day by calling the Wisconsin Farm Bureau at 800-261-FARM. The cost is $20. The registration deadline is January 27. Late registrations will cost $25. A copy of the registration form is also available at http://www.wfbf.com.

The panel of legislative speakers will soon be announced.

Cosponsors of the event with the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation are: National Farmers Organization, Wisconsin Cattlemen’s Association, Wisconsin Pork Association, Wisconsin State Cranberry Growers Association, Wisconsin Potato and Vegetable Growers Association, Wisconsin Soybean Association, Dairy Business Association, Professional Dairy Producers of Wisconsin, Wisconsin Horse Council, Wisconsin Women for Agriculture, Wisconsin Veal Growers Association and The Country Today newspaper. The Rural Mutual Insurance Company and GROWMARK Inc. are also major sponsors of the event.