The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) announced ten nominees for eight open seats in the 2025 Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin (DFW) Board of Directors election.
Eight districts are up for election beginning May 1, 2025.
Eligible Candidates
- District 3 Nominee: Gary Kohn, Medford
Lincoln, Oneida, Price, and Taylor counties
- District 6 Nominee: Alexandra Straschinske, Boyd
Chippewa and Eau Claire counties
- District 9 Nominee: Jeff Betley, Pulaski
Menominee, Shawano, and Waupaca counties
- District 12 Nominees: Peggy Pankratz, Auburndale; and Stephanie Ann Hughes, Pittsville
Portage, Waushara, and Wood counties
- District 15 Nominee: Sandra Madland, Lyndon Station
Adams, Juneau, and Monroe counties
- District 18 Nominee: Rick Roden, West Bend
Kenosha, Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Racine, Sheboygan, Washington, and Waukesha counties
- District 21 Nominees: Gail Klinkner, Viroqua; and Chad A. Sime, Gays Mills
Crawford and Vernon counties
- District 24 Nominee: Virgil Haag, Mt Horeb
Dane and Jefferson counties
DATCP confirmed all certified candidates met the administrative rule marketing order eligibility criteria of being an active dairy producer or representative of an affected producer, selling milk into commercial channels, and residing within their respective districts. DATCP also certified each candidate’s nomination form, which included five signatures from active dairy producers within the district as well as completion of a “Declaration of Eligibility” form. For more information, visit www.wisconsindairy.org/elections.
DATCP is mailing ballots to dairy producers who reside within the eight affected districts. Producers who have not received a ballot by May 15, 2025, can request one by contacting DATCP Market Orders staff at DATCPMarketOrders@wisconsin.gov. Completed ballots must be signed and returned by email to DATCPMarketOrders@wisconsin.gov or postmarked to DATCP Market Orders Program, PO Box 8911, Madison, WI 53708, on or before May 23, 2025.
Elected producers will serve three-year terms beginning July 1, 2025, and ending June 30, 2028.
