This week National Farmers Union recognized 33 U.S. Senators and Representatives who have demonstrated leadership and support at the federal policymaking level for family farmers, ranchers and their rural communities. Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) was among this year’s honorees.
The Golden Triangle Award, the family farm organization’s highest legislative honor, was presented to Sen. Baldwin today during NFU’s Fall Legislative Fly-In.
“We are proud of the work Senator Baldwin has done on behalf of Wisconsin’s family farmers,” said Wisconsin Farmers Union President Von Ruden. “She recognizes the importance of our agricultural community in Wisconsin, works hard to elevate the issues impacting family farms, and continues to be a strong advocate for rural Wisconsin.”
Sen. Baldwin has been a champion of agriculture in her role on the Senate Appropriations Committee. In May, she was among a group of Senators who sent a letter to President Trump, voicing concerns about deep cuts in his proposed budget, which would dramatically reduce or eliminate rural development programs within the U.S. Department of Agriculture. She also stressed the importance of investing in rural communities and infrastructure, including the expansion of broadband access.
WFU values the attention she has brought to dairy farmers’ struggles under declining milk prices, and hopes to continue working with Sen. Baldwin and other legislators to improve the livelihood of farmers and balance market volatility in the dairy industry.
“The Golden Triangle Award recognizes farm and food champions in Congress that display outstanding leadership on the issues that are important to both our industry and our organization,” said NFU President Roger Johnson. “We’re appreciative of their insight and devotion to securing the nation’s food supply for the good of both American family farmers and consumers.”
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
The 2017 recipients of the Golden Triangle Award are:
Senator Tammy Baldwin, Wisconsin
Senator Michael Bennet, Colorado
Senator Sherrod Brown, Ohio
Senator Bob Casey, Pennsylvania
Senator Steve Daines, Montana
Senator Dick Durbin, Illinois
Senator Al Franken, Minnesota
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, New York
Senator Heidi Heitkamp, North Dakota
Senator John Hoeven, North Dakota
Senator Amy Klobuchar, Minnesota
Senator Ed Markey, Massachusetts
Senator Claire McCaskill, Missouri
Senator Jeff Merkley, Oregon
Senator Christopher Murphy, Connecticut
Senator Gary Peters, Michigan
Senator Chuck Schumer, New York
Senator Debbie Stabenow, Michigan
Senator Jon Tester, Montana
Representative Cheri Bustos, Illinois
Representative Rosa DeLauro, Connecticut
Representative Jeff Fortenberry, Nebraska
Representative Tulsi Gabbard, Hawaii
Representative Marcy Kaptur, Ohio
Representative Ann Kuster, New Hampshire
Representative Dave Loebsack, Iowa
Representative Michelle Lujan Grisham, New Mexico
Representative Jim McGovern, Massachusettes
Representative Rick Nolan, Minnesota
Representative Nancy Pelosi, California
Representative Collin Peterson, Minnesota
Representative Chellie Pingree, Maine
Representative Tim Walz, Minnesota
Wisconsin Farmers Union is a member-driven organization committed to enhancing the quality of life for family farmers, rural communities, and all people through educational opportunities, cooperative endeavors, and civic engagement. Learn more at www.wisconsinfarmersunion.com.
