— The Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation’s top policy priorities for 2024 include preserving agricultural land for farm use, boosting financial support for wildlife-related crop damage and expanding rural child care.
More than 230 delegates gathered over the weekend through Monday for the group’s annual meeting in Wisconsin Dells to establish its “policy book” for 2024. Federal policies will be sent to the American Farm Bureau Federation, to be considered next month at its own annual convention.
State bureau members supported enacting Wisconsin law requiring “agricultural impact statements” for constructing solar and wind products. They want all new solar projects to use contaminated “brownfields,” degraded or low-yield land, as well as rooftops and underutilized or marginalized farmland.
They also oppose farmland preservation tax credits being claimed for land being used for solar projects unless as an accessory use of the farm. And members want to make biofuels more accessible statewide, according to the group’s release.
Other state-level policies include initiatives to expand affordable rural child care options, creating and funding a Wisconsin Office of Agricultural Tourism and supporting a voluntary carbon credit market.
Federal priorities included increasing the weight limits for drones — often used by farmers to monitor their crops and livestock — as well as easing requirements for the Farm Service Agency Beginning Farmer Loan program to help more young farmers get started.
WFBF also announced Polk-Burnett Farm Bureau member Brad Olson has been elected as the group’s president. Olson and his wife Vicky farm more than 600 acres of crops in Polk County, according to the release.
The federation is the state’s largest general farm organization, made up of 61 individual county farm bureaus across Wisconsin.
See the policy release: https://www.wisbusiness.com/2023/wisconsin-farm-bureau-delegates-set-policy-for-2024/
See the leadership election release: https://wfbf.com/farm-bureau-news/olson-elected-president-of-wfbf-krentz-re-elected-president-of-rural-mutual-insurance-company/
— Gov. Tony Evers has signed legislation that will put more than $500 million in taxpayer money toward upkeep at the Milwaukee Brewers stadium through 2050, saying it will allow a generation of Wisconsinites to grow up rooting for the state’s baseball team like he did.
During a ceremony at American Family Field, Evers recalled meeting Hank Aaron while he was a Cub Scout and watching Warren Spahn win his 300th game at old County Stadium in 1961. Evers was 9 years old at the time when Spahn was a member of the Milwaukee Braves.
The guv said the team has been an essential part of the culture and identity of Milwaukee and the state, as well as part of their success by generating billions in annual economic impact and providing family-supporting jobs.
“Losing this team would’ve had a ripple effect felt by families and communities across the state, even far beyond Milwaukee and southeastern Wisconsin,” Evers said.
Under the deal, the state is scheduled to commit $365.8 million to maintenance through 2050, while Milwaukee County and the city will kick in $135 million combined. The package also includes a ticket tax for non-Brewers events that will increase twice over the life of the 27-year deal with that money helping to offset the state’s commitment.
See more at WisPolitics: https://www.wispolitics.com/2023/tue-pm-update-evers-signs-brewers-stadium-bill/
— Local leaders in Milwaukee have released a video promoting the city’s skilled workforce, business ecosystem and cultural assets ahead of next year’s Republican National Convention.
The video, currently circulating on social media, includes remarks from convention organizers, economic development officials, elected leaders and executives at major Wisconsin businesses.
Outgoing Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce President Tim Sheehy touts the city’s diverse economy, noting Milwaukee is ranked fifth in the country for its per-capita percentage of Fortune 500 company headquarters.
“Milwaukee has a history of being industrious, of being innovative and delivering on-time, and I think you’ll see that come through in the convention,” he said.
And Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson says the city’s amenities and labor pool can compete with other major metro areas elsewhere in the country.
“We’ve got a great culinary arts scene, we’ve got great culture,” he said. “We’re on a massive body of water on the southwestern shore of Lake Michigan. We’ve got a diverse and talented pipeline of folks who will be beneficial to businesses.”
Meanwhile, Northwestern Mutual CEO John Schlifske said the 2024 convention will be an opportunity to put a spotlight on “the new Milwaukee.”
Organizers expect tens of thousands of visitors to the region during the political gathering, which will be held July 15-18. Local groups such as Visit Milwaukee say the convention offers a chance to elevate the city’s perception at the national level, helping to land other major events going forward.
“I think Milwaukee has a reputation maybe that hasn’t caught up to what we really are,” Schlifske said. “We’re an innovative city, highly diverse city … This convention is going to give us a chance to showcase all of that.”
Watch the video: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/omarmke1_check-it-out-several-leaders-on-their-thoughts-ugcPost-7136010796836278272-aOtk/
See more on the convention: https://mke2024host.org/
— The American Indian Chamber of Commerce of Wisconsin has appointed new leadership.
In a release yesterday, the tribal economic development organization announced Heather Cloud Wakajapi as its executive director and Paul Smith as assistant executive director.
Cloud, a member of the Ho-Chunk Nation, was a second-class IT petty officer in the U.S. Navy, according to the announcement.
“Our culture and sharing our values with the younger generation through mentoring will help ensure traditional works continue to flourish for future generations,” she said in a statement.
And Smith, a member of the Oneida Nation, has more than 30 years of experience in the housing industry.
The AICCW, first launched in 1993, provides support and services for Native American entrepreneurs, businesses and communities in the state.
See the release: https://www.wisbusiness.com/2023/american-indian-chamber-of-commerce-of-wisconsin-announces-new-executive-leadership-team-2/
— The Wisconsin Technology Council is now accepting applications for next year’s Wisconsin Governor’s Business Plan Contest.
The contest aims to encourage entrepreneurs across Wisconsin to pursue tech-based startup businesses, offering various prizes such as legal and accounting services, office space and marketing.
Since it began in 2004, the Tech Council has awarded about $2.8 million in cash and services. More than 4,660 entries have been received since that time.
Applications for the 2024 competition are being accepted through Jan. 31.
See more contest details:
<br><b><i>Top headlines from the Health Care Report…</b></i>
— Marquette University and the Medical College of Wisconsin are getting a five-year, $3.2 million federal grant to study the muscles of stroke patients.
<i>For more of the most relevant news on COVID-19, reports on groundbreaking health research in Wisconsin, links to top stories and more, sign up today for the free daily Health Care Report from WisPolitics.com and WisBusiness.com.</i>
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#TOP STORIES#
# PFAS testing at 3M plant in Wausau finds levels up to 7 times higher than state drinking water standard
# Gov. Evers signs ballpark funding bill. Next up is a new Brewers lease
# Generac accelerates entry into EV-charger market with $30M investment
#TOPICS#
# AGRIBUSINESS
– Wisconsin farm bureau delegates adopt policies
http://wisconsinagconnection.com/story-state.php?Id=1054&yr=2023
# CONSTRUCTION
– Milwaukee developer proposes affordable housing for seniors
# ECONOMY
– Wisconsin 1 of only 6 states to see GDP decline in Q2
# EDUCATION
– African-centered charter school to open in Appleton
# ENTERTAINMENT & THE ARTS
– Cold temps and celebrities no problem for anthem singer Ben Tajnai
# ENVIRONMENT
– Bills to require controversial wolf population limit advancing
http://wisconsinagconnection.com/story-state.php?Id=1052&yr=2023
# HEALTH CARE
– Since October, COVID-19 activity has increased by about 50 percent in Wisconsin
– Froedtert & Medical College to open Shorewood clinic
# LEGAL
– Appeals Court rules against Kohler’s golf course plans
– Former bookkeeper sentenced to two years in prison for stealing from Fox Cities Title Company
# MANUFACTURING
– Stella & Chewy’s secures $75 million in additional credit to support its growth
# REAL ESTATE
– St. Ambrose Catholic school to share space with residential apartments
# RETAIL
– Woodman’s Food Market development in Racine advances
# SMALL BUSINESS
– Popular Firefly restaurant to close in Wauwatosa
# SPORTS
– Gov. Tony Evers signs Brewers stadium bill, ensuring team stays in city until 2050
– Evers signs $500 million American Family Field funding bill
# COLUMNS
– John Nichols: Scott Walker’s anti-union scheming faces the legal scrutiny it deserves
– Toasting Prohibition’s end: Turns out this ‘failure’ led to longer life spans | Opinion
# PRESS RELEASES
<i>See these and other press releases:
https://www.wisbusiness.com/press-releases/ </i>
American Indian Chamber of Commerce of Wisconsin: Announces new executive leadership team
