As the legislative session wraps, the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation is highlighting several key victories for the state’s agricultural industry. WFBF is also looking ahead to an election season focused on educating future leaders.
Among the accomplishments cited are new transportation efficiencies, including permits allowing for heavier grain and fertilizer transport, and an expansion of the commercial driver license (CDL) training program to include private businesses. Additionally, the industry secured significant support regarding PFAS, including liability protections for farmers who unknowingly spread contaminated biosolids.
WFBF Executive Director of Government Relations Jason Mugnaini emphasizes the importance of these legislative steps.
“The thing I’m really excited about is that there was a piece of legislation that passed that creates some new permits for transporting grain, feed, and fertilizer,” Mugnaini says. “So we’ll now be able to get overweight permits up to 91,000 pounds… and that’s going to really help alleviate some concerns, especially create some efficiencies within the fertilizer supply chain.”
While celebrating these successes, WFBF is also preparing for the challenges ahead. With high diesel costs and fertilizer price volatility remaining major concerns, the organization is pivoting its strategy toward the upcoming election cycle. They plan to launch the “Engage with Ag” series, an initiative designed to provide nonpartisan, hands-on educational experiences for candidates and elected officials to better understand the realities of modern farming.
“We have to make sure that as there are fewer and fewer farmers in the legislature, that the people who are elected in the legislature understand agriculture, understand that that is the rural economic driver in this state,” Mugnaini notes.
WFBF does intend to go back to the drawing board on several vetoed bills, including measures related to agricultural facility regulations and avian influenza protections, to refine their approach for future sessions.
