Farmers Union honors family agriculture champions

Wisconsin State Farmer

CHIPPEWA FALLS

The Wisconsin Farmers Union delegation presented the Golden Triangle Award to Congressman Mark Pocan during the NFU Fly-In to Washington, D.C. Sept. 13.

On Sept. 13, the National Farmers Union announced 44 recipients of the Golden Triangle Award, the organization’s highest legislative honor.

Among this year’s honorees were Sen. Tammy Baldwin and Congressman Mark Pocan from Wisconsin. The award is presented annually to policymakers who have demonstrated leadership and support for family farmers, ranchers and rural communities.

“We are proud of the work that Congressman Mark Pocan and Senator Tammy Baldwin have done on behalf of Wisconsin’s family farmers,” said Wisconsin Farmers Union President Von Ruden. “They recognize the importance of our agricultural community in Wisconsin and have been great allies in the past year.”

This year’s Golden Triangle recipients were selected for their leadership and contribution to several issues important to family farmers and ranchers.

Sen. Baldwin has been a champion of agricultural conservation programs and technical assistance for farmers in her role on the Senate Appropriations Committee. She also stood up for the Renewable Fuel Standard, urging the EPA to increase renewable fuels in our gasoline supply in 2017. In late July, she joined a bipartisan coalition in sending a letter to the U.S. Department of Agriculture asking for emergency support for dairy farmers struggling with declining milk prices.

WFU Government Relations Director Kara O’Connor noted that “Congressman Pocan has been a true leader in opposing the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a trade deal that will increase the trade deficit by $21.7 billion and open our borders to a flood of cheap dairy imports from New Zealand.”

The Wisconsin Farmers Union delegation presented the Golden Triangle Award to Senator Tammy Baldwin during the NFU Fly-In to Washington, D.C. Sept. 13.

Pocan also signed on to the coalition letter urging efforts to balance the dairy market. He supports the Renewable Fuel Standard and has been a strong voice for Country of Origin Labeling.

“The Golden Triangle Award represents outstanding leadership and tireless effort on the issues that are important to our industry and organization,” said NFU President Roger Johnson. “It is our honor to recognize the efforts of these Congressional champions and friends of family farming and ranching.”

The Golden Triangle Award is based on NFU’s symbol, a triangle with the three sides noting Farmers Union’s three-fold efforts in legislation, cooperation and education. The awards have been presented every year since 1988.