Equal and expanded access to the farming community will expand the horizons of the industry into the next generation, according to a mix of speakers attending a Farmers and Friends listening session March 23 at the Shawano Civic Center.
“Engaging with young people is the biggest challenge no matter what we’re talking about these days,” said Gillian Battino, a candidate for Wisconsin Senate District 29. “First of all, we need to directly interact with them.”
She said social media can only be part of that discussion, but first and foremost is direct discussion. She noted her volunteer efforts at Wausau West High School, where she engages students about her career in medicine and their hopes and dreams for their careers.
Battino was among six panelists at the event sponsored by the Shawano-Menominee Counties Democratic Party. It was an opportunity for residents to share their questions and concerns about agricultural issues with candidates for public office and representatives of farming organizations.
Joining her were Rick Crosson, Mark Scheffler and Katrina DeVille, all candidates for the 8th Congressional District; state Rep. Elijah Behnke; and Don Hamm, president of the Wisconsin National Farmers Organization.
Crosson said he would first try to understand any bias coming into the equation when it comes to involving more young people in the industry.
“If I was a kid today looking at what adults are doing, an adult would be the last thing I would aspire to be right now. We are not presenting a good example for our children,” he said.
“Here’s the other side of that. A child should never have to look beyond their own home to find a good role model. If you are not the pronounced role model for your children, then you’ve got some work to do.”
DeVille said adults need to stand up for their beliefs.
“We need to have the courage to put out there things that we believe in and the things that we are willing to defend, and then defend them,” she said. “By doing those things, you inspire people.”
Behnke and Hamm favored a hands-on approach, getting youths involved in school ag programs, 4-H, FFA and summer jobs on the farm.
Scheffler said the next generation of farmers needs to be involved in next-gen agriculture.
“It’s looking at new crops that we can grow, and one of the new corps is renewable biomass, it’s industrial hemp, it’s switchgrass, that kind of thing,” he said.
Next-gen agriculture encompasses advanced, sustainable technologies and innovative strategies — such as AI, vertical farming, and regenerative practices — designed to improve food production, sustainability and efficiency. Key areas include digital farming tools, specialized crop protection and supporting the next generation of farmers through succession planning.
Scheffler said the renewable biomass could be used to create a variety of products, including jet fuel, power for data centers, lubricants, textiles, fiber for cardboard and the dashboards of cars.
He also said it’s imperative the U.S. restore trading relationships with China, Mexico and Canada, as they are the largest markets for American farmers.
Not only does the industry need to be open to young farmers, it must also have equal access and protections for women either entering the industry or struggling to survive after divorce or other life-changing events.
“The role of the federal government is to guarantee equal access,” Scheffler said, noting that the 14th Amendment protects everyone, but the nation has yet to live up to that in full. “Make sure the Justice Department is not weaponized against anyone. Make sure the agricultural community gives equal opportunity to women who want to remain in agriculture.”
Hamm said there have been significant changes in the industry in the past couple decades.
“In the last five years, our field staff has pretty much switched to young ladies,” he said, adding that many more will soon be at the management level.
Those changes are making the industry consider issues not discussed before, including child care and maternity leave.
Crosson said, in the case of divorce, the justice system must consider the value and sweat equity women invest in the farm.
“As a a lawmaker, I would be looking at what laws and policies and programs and procedures and bias that are feeding into that outcome, and I would go after it with a vengeance, and make it would not be part of the equation that determines your fair share,” he said.
Behnke said his two daughters are on the opposite end of the industry — one wants nothing to do with it, and the other wants to be involved in every aspect.
“Make sure she has free access to any programs just as much as the boys,” he said of the latter.
Behnke discussed the failure of the legislature to approve a bill to create a Dairy Innovation Fund to help small and medium-sized farms invest in next-generation agricultural technology.
The bill would have created a zero-interest revolving loan program, already funded with $20 million, through the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, allowing dairy producers to upgrade outdated equipment, adopt precision agriculture tools and modernize manure management systems.
Legislators could not agree on the scope of the program, so it failed to pass out of committee to the full Assembly for a vote.
“It died in committee,” Behnke said. “Now we have $20 million sitting aside, and it’s not being used.”
Battino said it’s time to update the laws on the books to be fair to everyone.
“We need to really look a the fact that our laws, our policies and our legislation are antiquated. It does not serve females and males equally,” she said. “It does respect the work of women on the job or in the home.”
Women working on the farm don’t necessarily have a retirement fund, and after a divorce, health care access can be a concern.
“Make sure we have affordable health care, affordable child care,” she said. “We’re looking for fairness.”
kpasson@newmedia-wi.com
Area residents listen to comments from state and federal office seekers during a listening session that served as an opportunity to share questions and concerns about agricultural issues with candidates for public office and representatives of farming organizations. A similar event surrounding issues for veterans will be held April 27 at the Shawano Civic Center. (Kevin Passon | NEW Media)
