Wisconsin Ag Connection - Reps. Vruwink & Huebsch to Speak at Ag Day at the Capitol

Wisconsin Ag News Headlines

Reps. Vruwink & Huebsch to Speak at Ag Day at the Capitol
Wisconsin Ag Connection - 01/26/2010

One of the biggest lobbying efforts of the year for Wisconsin agriculture is coming up in Madison. Ag Day at the Capitol will be held February 3 at the Monona Terrace. Organizers say Assembly Agriculture Committee Chairwoman Amy Sue Vruwink of Milladore and Rep. Mike Huebsch from West Salem, who is one of the leading critic of state-sponsored climate change legislation, are the two confirmed legislative speakers for the event.

Vruwink, who was named chair of her chamber's ag committee in early 2009, will speak about agricultural issues facing the legislature in the coming year. Huebsch will discuss what he sees as the drawbacks of the Clean Energy Jobs Act. He serves on the Assembly Special Committee on Clean Energy Jobs, which was created to review such bills. Other legislative panelists will soon be confirmed.

In addition to climate change legislation, other main topics at Ag Day will include proposed changes to the state's nonpoint regulations, animal welfare and use value assessment of farmland.

"The difference this day makes for agriculture is tremendous," said Wisconsin Farm Bureau President Bill Bruins, which is one of the main organizers of the annual forum. "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 for Ag Day at the Capitol 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.

Other cosponsors include the Wisconsin Corn Growers Association, 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.

Register for Ag Day by calling 800-261-FARM. The cost is $20. The registration deadline is January 27. Late registrations will cost $25.