Breaking News: Ag Day at the Capitol speakers announced

MADISON Attendees of Ag Day at the Capitol will get the inside scoop on Wisconsin’s volatile political landscape and the impact that agriculture is having to the state’s economy. Joe Murray, director of governmental relations for the Wisconsin Realtors Association, and Jeff Lyon, Deputy Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, will be the featured speakers at the Feb. 8 event at the Monona Terrace Convention Center in Madison. Ag Day at the Capitol features a luncheon and legislative briefing before hundreds of Wisconsin farmers meet with their state legislators. Paul Zimmerman, Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation’s executive director of governmental relations, lists a number of issues that farmers will discuss at Ag Day: agricultural economic development, use value assessment of farmland, animal welfare, road weight limits and environmental issues involving wetlands, agricultural air emissions and implementing the wolf management plan. However, he says the legislative process has been engulfed by a volatile political scene. “Whether it is recall elections for the governor or state senators, the redistricting process, or this year’s November election, there’s no denying that this is what people are talking about. We want to get that information to farmers directly from one of the foremost experts on Wisconsin elections and campaigns,” Zimmerman said. Murray will provide Ag Day attendees with a clear picture of the political lay of the land in Wisconsin. Lyon will discuss the impact of agriculture to Wisconsin’s economy. He will also stress the importance of farmers letting their elected lawmakers know how important agriculture is to their county. Doors open for Ag Day at the Capitol at 11 a.m. with introductions at 11:30 a.m. The luncheon begins at 11:45 a.m. with issue briefings and guest speakers beginning at 12:45 p.m. Attendees will walk to the State Capitol to meet with legislators at 3 p.m. It is important that attendees call the offices of their legislators in advance to schedule an appointment between 3 and 5 p.m. for Feb. 8. Register for Ag Day by calling the Wisconsin Farm Bureau at 800-261-3276. The registration deadline is Tuesday, Jan. 31 and the cost is $20. Late registrations will cost $25. A copy of the registration form is also available in the ‘events’ section of www.wfbf.com. Rural Mutual Insurance Company and GROWMARK Inc. are major sponsors of the event. Wisconsin Farm Bureau co-sponsors Ag Day at the Capitol with a variety of other dairy, beef, pork, horse, corn, soybean, cranberry, potato and vegetable groups.