Nearly 300 Farmers Union members from across the country joined together in Washington, DC last week to advocate for family farmers and a strong Farm Bill as part of the National Farmers Union (NFU) Fall Legislative Fly-In. Over the course of the week, Farmers Union members attended hundreds of Congressional meetings and met with more than a dozen federal agencies.
24 Wisconsin Farmers Union members were among those taking part in the NFU Fly-In. Participants visited the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), where they heard from USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack, Deputy Secretary Xochitl Torres Small, USDA Undersecretary for Farm Production and Conservation Robert Bonnie, Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Jenny Lester Moffitt, and Farm Service Agency Administrator Zach Ducheneaux.
While at the USDA, NFU and the USDA signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to address staffing levels and improve customer service at USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) county-level offices.
Under this MOU, NFU and USDA will work together to gather feedback on the experiences of family farmers and ranchers when interacting with FSA staff and the programs they deliver. By hosting listening sessions in local communities, NFU will provide a platform for farmers to share their concerns and ideas for improvement. USDA will use this feedback to inform ongoing investments in customer service and program delivery.
Following the USDA briefing, Farmers Union members heard from and asked questions of several additional prominent government officials, including Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael Regan, Assistant Attorney General for the Antitrust Division Jonathan Kanter, Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Chair Lina Khan, and Senate Agriculture Committee Ranking Member John Boozman (AR).
Throughout the week, Farmers Union members urged Congress to pass a five-year farm bill focused on supporting family farmers. They highlighted the need for stronger price transparency in cattle markets, mandatory country-of-origin labeling for beef, and enforcement of the Packers and Stockyards Act to promote fair competition. Members also advocated for a stronger farm safety net, including expanded crop insurance options, permanent disaster assistance, and measures to address the ongoing loss of family dairy farms. Additionally, they emphasized the importance of climate resilience through voluntary conservation programs and renewable energy initiatives, urging lawmakers to protect key investments for the future of American agriculture.
"Wisconsin’s family farmers need a new farm bill this year," said Wisconsin Farmers Union President Darin Von Ruden. "The farm bill is crucial for supporting our food system, rural communities, and the future of farming. With low farm income, rising input costs, and more frequent natural disasters, Congress must seize this opportunity. Our members are making sure policymakers hear that message."
WFU President Darin Von Ruden, Westby, was joined by board, staff, and members at the fly-in, including: Paul and JoAnn Adams, Eleva; Camryn Billen, Eau Claire; Selina Briske, Amery; Dylan and Skye Bruce, Ferryville; Linda Ceylor, Catawba; Joseph Childs, Boscobel; Tommy Enright, Amherst; Ryan Erisman, Sun Prairie; David and Meghan Greenfield, New Richmond; Duane and Tina Hinchley, Cambridge; Kendall Johnson, Madison; David Michelson, DeForest; Mike Miles, Luck; Harry Pulliam, New Glarus; Michelle Ramirez-White, Madison; Dave Rosen, Glenwood City; Olivia Roth, Whitewater; Michael Slattery, Maribel; and Heather Toman, Seymour.
