Every winter, hundreds of members of the Wisconsin Farmers Union travel from throughout the state to gather for a weekend of networking and grassroots policymaking at the family farm organization’s annual convention. The 89th WFU State Convention will be Jan. 31 through Feb. 2 at the Central Wisconsin Convention and Expo Center in Rothschild.

The family-friendly weekend is a chance for farmers, consumers and others interested in the future of rural Wisconsin to come together to discuss issues, attend workshops, enjoy local food and recognize those who are doing good things in the countryside.

Building rural strength

The weekend kicks off Jan. 31 with Groundswell, a one-day conference that will focus on “Building Rural Strength and Resiliency by Advancing Racial Justice.” Led by Nick Olson of Land Stewardship Project and Rachel Henderson of Dunn County Farmers Union, this interactive workshop will look at agricultural migration and how race and cultural narratives affect the rural landscape. The group will consider what Farmers Union members can do to move racial justice forward.

Groundswell runs from noon to 4:30 p.m. Registration costs $65 for nonmembers (includes one-year WFU family membership) or $35 for members. Lunch is included.

“If we want to achieve our mission of enhancing the quality of life for family farmers, rural communities and all people, we need to engage and involve a much broader cross-section of people than we have historically,” Groundswell organizer Tommy Enright says. “We cannot have social justice without racial justice and equity, and the first step toward this goal is to educate ourselves.”

That evening, WFU will host an event for networking, eating and a chance to hear from candidates in the upcoming 2020 elections with a meet and greet from 6 to 9 p.m. Tickets are available at wisconsinfarmersunion.com/convention.

The convention keynote speaker is Barry Lynn, a champion of antimonopoly reform in the U.S. and beyond. Lynn will discuss concentration and monopoly power in the general economy, including a look at how rising technology and social media giants such as Google, Amazon and Facebook imperil the economy and democracy. He will also discuss how monopoly power in the agricultural and food system economy fits into this larger picture of the economy, including details from Open Markets Institute’s recent report “Food and Power: Addressing Monopolization in America’s Food System.” Lynn will share key tactics that farmers, eaters and citizens can deploy to fight back against the stranglehold of monopoly power.

Workshop topics and presenters on Feb. 1 will include “Why Competition Matters” by Barry Lynn, Open Markets Institute; “Navigating Conflict” by Kristine Ranger, Knowledge Navigators; “Our Lakes, Our Lands” by Bill Hogseth, WFU, and Eric Olson, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point; and “Supply Management: Dirty Word or Powerful Tool?” by Sarah Lloyd, WFU, and Ben Lillston, Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy.

There will also be a silent auction, with proceeds benefiting WFU’s Kamp Kenwood facilities as well as archival of historical items. Any business or individual interested in donating items may contact Sean at 715-723-5561 or [email protected].

Other activities throughout the weekend will include a concurrent Youth Co-op Convention, youth program graduation, and awards ceremonies recognizing active members and the Friend of the Family Farmer.

The convention is open to the public, but only member-delegates may vote on policy issues. On the final day of convention, delegates will elect directors for the WFU board, as well as two delegates who will represent WFU at the National Farmers Union Convention March 1-3 in Savannah, Ga.

Early-bird rates end Jan. 9. Visit wisconsinfarmersunion.com/convention for more details and to register. For more information, call the WFU state office at 715-723-5561.

Source: Wisconsin Farmers Union, which is solely responsible for the information provided and is wholly owned by the source. Informa Business Media and all its subsidiaries are not responsible for any of the content contained in this information asset.