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impact report

Welcome

Now more than ever, there’s no shortage of worthy charitable causes, both in our communities and well beyond Families and organizations alike have the opportunity to invest in people and programs that are important to them, and even make a lasting impact.

Among the many causes, our commitment to the future of agriculture is what makes Wisconsin Farm Bureau Foundation special And having Farm Bureau members, sponsors and donors involved is what makes our work possible

With another year of programming in the books, we are proud to share our accomplishments with you, our community of supporters. It is through your gifts, grants and sponsorships that our programs flourish and impact so many across Wisconsin

Please enjoy the outcomes and highlights in the following pages. Our successes and impact truly reflect the trust and investment of benefactors like you. On behalf of my colleagues and the tens of thousands impacted by your generosity, thank you!

With gratitude,

Introduction

The Wisconsin Farm Bureau Foundation was established in 1988 to provide support for agricultural education and leadership programs. Through donations and other contributions, the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Foundation invests time and resources to support the next generation of agriculturists.

The Foundation focuses on agricultural literacy, leadership development and supporting our farmers Our programs help create informed consumers, engaged leaders and strong farmers – reaching tens of thousands across the state each year

Mission

Invest in education and professional development to grow awareness and understanding of agriculture.

Year in Review

111,000 STUDENTS IMPACTED BY WISCONSIN AGRICULTURE IN THE CLASSROOM

200,000 CONSUMERS REACHED THROUGH GATHER WISCONSIN SOCIAL MEDIA CHANNELS

1,000 FARMERS IMPACTED BY FARM NEIGHBORS CARE GRANT PROJECTS

$390k

FUNDING DISTRUBUTED TO WISCONSIN FARM BUREAU FOUNDATION PROGRAMS

board of trustees

JAMES RENN

BEN HUBER

ROBERT NIGH

LOREN WOLFE

ALLISON DOENIER

JIM KELROY

KAITLYN KESLER

KENNETH HARTER

SARA MENARD-HUBER

ISAAC CHRISTENSON

KRISTI FIEDLER

BOB NASH

ANDREW DAL SANTO

BRAD OLSON, WFBF PRESIDENT

JOE BRAGGER, WFBF VICE PRESIDENT

The Wisconsin Farm Bureau Foundation Board of Trustees serve as ambassadors of the Foundation and are responsible for expanding fundraising and program efforts.

Interested in connecting with a Board of Trustee representative in your area? Reach out to John Hromyak. jhromyak@wfbf com 608-828-5729

DISTRICT 1 REPRESENTATIVE

DISTRICT 2 REPRESENTATIVE

DISTRICT 3 REPRESENTATIVE

DISTRICT 4 REPRESENTATIVE (THRU OCT. ‘24)

DISTRICT 4 REPRESENTATIVE (PRESENT)

DISTRICT 5 REPRESENTATIVE

DISTRICT 6 REPRESENTATIVE

DISTRICT 7 REPRESENTATIVE

DISTRICT 8 REPRESENTATIVE

DISTRICT 9 REPRESENTATIVE

AT-LARGE REPRESENTATIVE

AT-LARGE REPRESENTATIVE (CHAIR)

AT-LARGE REPRESENTATIVE (VICE-CHAIR)

EX-OFFICIO MEMBER

Financials

FISCAL YEAR 2024

Create a Legacy

What will be your legacy? Support the next generation of farmers, agriculturists and leaders by including Wisconsin Farm Bureau Foundation in your will or estate plans Contact us for more information.

Expand your Impact

With Farm Bureau member contributions, gifts from donors and sponsorships from businesses and organizations, the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Foundation supports and strengthens our educational and leadership development programs In FY 2024, more than $390,000 in program funding was distributed to these efforts that directly benefit students, members and families across the state.

Moving forward, the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Foundation will continue its work to reach new milestones, with an emphasis on the following goals:

Increase resource development and raise more money to support our programs

Promote Foundation-supported programs and projects

Build sustainable funding models to ensure longevity of programs and initiatives

As a nonprofit, the Foundation relies on the generous partnership of donors like you to ensure programs are accessible to our future ag leaders and consumers. Thank you for being part of our mission.

Giving Day

The third annual Wisconsin Farm Bureau Foundation Giving Day was held on August 14, 2024. Thank you to the County Farm Bureaus, business sponsors and individuals that contributed to Giving Day 2024!

Since its inception in 2022, Giving Day has raised more than $130,000 to benefit Wisconsin Farm Bureau Foundation programs

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Auctions and raffles

Thank you for supporting the Wisconsin farm Bureau Foundation during the December 2024 WFBF YFA Conference & Annual Meeting. Together, we raised over $28,000 to support agricultural literacy, leadership development and strong farmers.

agriculture in the classroom

The Wisconsin Agriculture in the Classroom program provides agricultural information through teaching resources and lesson plans to help K-12 students develop an understanding of how their food is grown and raised

792 TEACHERS SUPPORTED 793 BOOKS DELIVERED TO COMMUNITIES

1,334 ESSAY CONTEST ENTRIES

15K GRANTS AWARDED 111K STUDENTS IMPACTED

educator Ambassadors

The Educator Ambassador Team utilizes topagricultural literacy educators to provide training and advise on the resources, trainings and experiences offered by the Wisconsin Agriculture in the Classroom program.

During the 2024-2025 school year, the Educator Ambassador Team will present workshops, share lesson ideas and experiences and meet quarterly to review and guide current and future AITC programming and resources

Travis Sprague, Sun Prairie

Josh Gonzalez, Milwaukee

Emily Kamps, Fennimore

Mary Cooper, Richland Center

Visit the new Agriculture in the Classroom website fo streamlined access to resources, curriculum, and training opportunities at wisagclassroom.org.

promotion & education

The Wisconsin Farm Bureau Promotion and Education (P&E) program is designed to develop, implement and promote projects and programs which build awareness and understanding of agriculture and provide leadership development for the agricultural community.

1k 1k

EXPOSURE AT THE WISCONSIN STATE FAIR FOUNDATION DAY

Member Engagement and Training

Host member-focused training opportunities to assist members with building capacity in resources and tools to inform consumers about agriculture

Consumer resource management

Assist with centralizing resources that are accessible to members and consumers for the benefit of agriculture.

15k 15k

EXPOSURE AT THE WISCONSIN SCIENCE FESTIVAL

FARM BUREAU MEMBERS ENGAGED AT LEADERSHIP BOOTCAMP

Advocacy

Promote Farm Bureau as the trusted source of information about agriculture to community leaders so they can make informed decisions

P&E initiatives and programs are Wisconsin Farm Bureau member-led and driven. A ninemember committee with one representative from each district works together to develop and implement community engagement and training opportunities.

young farmer & agriculturist

The Young Farmer and Agriculturist program gives members between 18 and 35 an opportunity to enhance their leadership skills while networking with peers.

advocacy

YFA represents and supports its members by supplying resources and working with the general agriculture population to provide better opportunities for all of agriculture.

Training and learning

YFA provides a wide variety of training and learning opportunities for members that are beneficial to themselves and their futures

Diversity

YFA will promote all facets of agriculture to include anyone connected to the industry

Networking

YFA will provide networking and volunteer opportunities for its members to learn from others and improve themselves and their local communities

YFA initiatives and programs are Wisconsin Farm Bureau member-led and driven A nine-member committee with one representative from each district works together to develop and execute district events and the annual YFA conference

leadership institute

In 2024, Leadership Institute Class XV took their capstone trip to Washington D.C.

MEMBERS MEET AMERICAN FARM BUREAU STAFF FOR ISSUE BRIEFINGS

MEMBERS APPLY THEIR SKILLS ENGAGING WITH ELECTED OFFICIALS

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Wisconsin Farm Bureau’s Leadership Institute is a year-long leadership development program with the mission to develop strong and effective Farm Bureau and community leaders Participants learn how to identify their strengths, work effectively as a team, develop strong messaging to assist with advocacy, gain a better understanding of agriculture issues and build their network of fellow members and agriculture leaders. 149

MEMBERS WORK AS A TEAM DISCUSSING RELEVANT TOPICS WITH ELECTED OFFICIALS.

MEMBERS EXPERIENCE OUR NATIONS CAPITOL WHILE ADVOCATING FOR AGRICULTURE

WISCONSIN FARM BUREAU LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE GRADUATES HAVE BECOME...

class Xvi

Leadership Institute Class 16 was selected in Fall 2024 The group will participate in five, multi-day sessions that provide hands-on learning on agricultural issues, leadership development and speaking skills The class capstone trip to Washington, D C is scheduled for March 2026.

gather wisconsin

GatherWisconsin.com builds meaningful relationships between consumers and the farmers growing and raising their food through valuable information, insightful blogs and delicious recipes

200k

194.6%

44k MAGAZINES DISTRIBUTED

WISCONSIN STATE FAIR MILKHOUSE SPONSORSHIP

Gather Wisconsin sponsored the cups at the Wisconsin State Fair Foundation Milkhouse. Visitors to the Milk House sampled unique flavors of milk and were invited to experience the Gather Wisconsin brand through surveys, geofence advertising, signage and more

GATHER WISCONSIN MAGAZINE

The magazine was delivered to 44,000 households with hundreds of copies distributed at fairs, festivals and community events.

Gather Wisconsin was awarded Best Website at the American Farm Bureau Federation Communications Conference in May 2024.

farm neighbors care

Launched in 2019, the Farm Neighbors Care campaign is dedicated to supporting farmers and farm families dealing with immense stress, often caused by factors beyond their control This campaign encourages members to check in on friends, neighbors, and loved ones—offering support, understanding, and a listening ear

40+NEWS MEDIA STORIES ABOUT FNC TOGETHER, WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

$2.5k AWARDED IN GRANTS TO SUPPORT FNC PROJECTS

40kFNC SOCIAL MEDIA IMPRESSIONS

BADGER STATE SHERIFF’S ASSOCIATION PARTNERSHIP

The Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation and the Badger State Sheriffs’ Association partnered to address the critical issue of mental health in rural communities. county sheriffs across the state will have access to resources for those who may be facing mental health struggles including farmers, veterans and children Together, they will help raise awareness of mental health challenges and provide practical tools to those in need.

HEROES OF HOPE

7k STICKERS DISTRIBUTED TO COUNTY SHERIFFS

1,000 FARMERS IMPACTED

Heroes of Hope is focused on shedding light on rural heroes who have helped others through a tough time. Heroes of Hope aims to identify people who have helped bring hope to farmers or businesses, either in large or small ways Members of the agriculture community were encouraged to nominate individuals who have made an impact on the way they conduct business, both ordinary and extraordinary.

FARM NEIGHBORS CARE GRANTS

2024 HEROES

Ten special project grants were awarded across Wisconsin, supporting farmer wellness initiatives and the spirit of community connection.

THANK YOU, MCCADE’S JOYRIDE, FOR YOUR SPECIAL SUPPORT OF FARM NEIGHBORS CARE!

OF HOPE: MATT BECK AND SCOTT SCHREFFLER OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

collegiate farm bureau

Collegiate Farm Bureau is an opportunity for young, up-and-coming members of the agricultural community to get introduced to the Farm Bureau organization Members are able to participate in a variety of activities including Collegiate Discussion Meet, YFA Conference, Ag Day on Campus and other events specific to their collegiate campus.

MEMBERS AT UW RIVER FALLS

MEMBERS AT UW MADISON

Ag Day on Campus

Students organize and execute Ag Day on Campus to engage other students with agriculture. Groups host activities throughout the day and offer goodies to attendees to encourage them to interact with the farmers behind their food.

MEMBERS AT UW PLATTEVILLE

COLLEGIATE FARM BUREAU MEMBERS ATTENDED WFBF YFA CONFERENCE

Collegiate Farm Bureau Discussion Meet

Collegiate Farm Bureau members are invited to participate in Collegiate Discussion Meet contests Each school hosts their own discussion meet with two individuals advancing to the st t t t h ld t WFBF YFA C f a D N F AMY JENTGES, UW-RIVER FALLS, WON THE 2024 WFBF COLLEGIATE DISCUSSION MEET CONTEST

UW-PLATTEVILLE AG DAY ON CAMPUS

UW-MADISON AG DAY ON CAMPUS

UW-RIVER FALLS AG DAY ON CAMPUS

4-H and FFa Support

Wisconsin Farm Bureau Foundation is proud to invest in the next generation of agriculture youth by supporting 4-H and FFA.

FFA FARM FORUM

FFA Farm Forum is a collaboration between Wisconsin Farm Bureau and Wisconsin FFA that fosters leadership development and career exploration in agriculture During the one-day event, FFA members attend career-based workshops.

315FFA MEMBERS, ADVISORS AND GUESTS ATTENDED

WISCONSIN FFA CONVENTION

Wisconsin Farm Bureau Foundation and its programs hosted booths in the trade show during FFA convention to introduce students to opportunities in Farm Bureau. In addition, several Farm Bureau staff members presented workshops during the convention.

THE FOUNDATION IS A PROUD SPONSOR OF THE WISCONSIN FFA DISCUSSION MEET.

KEY AWARD

1,000FFA MEMBERS, REACHED AT FFA CONVENTION

Key Award recipients are high school students with at least three years of experience in 4-H and one year as a youth leader. We have sponsored these awards for over 30 years, helping 4-H to honor some of Wisconsin’s finest youth

BLUE RIBBON MEAT PRODUCT AUCTION

Wisconsin Farm Bureau Foundation supports the Wisconsin 4-H Foundation by purchasing meat products at the Blue Ribbon Auction during the Wisconsin State Fair

thank you, supporters!

Our programs are not possible without the generous support from sponsors, donors and supporters like you! We are grateful for the following businesses and organizations who made a financial contribution to the Foundation in 2024.