Ag Day at the Capitol is coming up on March 29th and there’s a fresh face from Wisconsin Farm Bureau that’s looking forward to being there. Jason Mugniani, the new Executive Director of Government Relations says the priorities of Wisconsin’s Farm Bureau members will be heard in Madison.
As farmers from across the state make plans to head to Madison, Jason says the focus of the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation this year is to “make sure we are protecting the first mile and not the last mile of our food supply chain”. Their biggest ask this year of legislators? Rural road funding. Jason points out that money continues to be spent on urban road projects while many rural roads are either not large enough for farm equipment to operate on safely or are in major disrepair. Although Jason wasn’t yet a member of the Wisconsin Farm Bureau staff at the time of their annual convention, he says the road issue was heard loud and clear from the delegate members in attendance. He hopes the state budget surplus will be directed to the project.
But roads aren’t the only issue Farm Bureau members have concerns over. Food supply chain issues such as animal and human health concerns post COVID and milk hauling permitting grievances are all on the radar. Jason is also keeping an eye on expanding solar farm projects. While there are concerns for farmers associated with these projects, he says there is also potential.
Ag Day at the Capitol is Wednesday March 29th. Jason encourages farmers to take the time to represent the 2% of Wisconsinites that actively farm. While the deadline for early registration has passed, you can still register online.
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