Retail Food Prices Decrease in Second Quarter of 2009
The Wisconsin Farm Bureau’s ‘Market Basket’ quarterly survey found the average cost of 20 basic food items totaled $53.40 in the second quarter of 2009. That is a $2.45 decrease from the survey’s average price of $55.85 in the first quarter of 2009. It marks the survey’s third straight quarterly decrease after a decrease of nearly 2-percent in the fourth quarter of 2008 and a decrease of more than 3-percent in the first quarter of 2009. [release]

Use Value Change Removed from State Budget
It’s a great day for Wisconsin farmers as the provision to change the definition of agricultural land for property tax purposes has been removed from the state budget package that the State Senate approved. [release]

'Food' Film is Too Much to Stomach
A documentary film called "Food, Inc." which opens across the nation on Friday, June 12, portrays a biased view of agriculture and the U.S. food industry, says Bill Bruins, Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation President. Different sectors of the agriculture industry are doing their part ot counter a lot of the misinformation in the movie. <release>
www.safefoodinc.com
www.monsanto.com

Top 10 Achievement Award Finalists Announced
The Achievement Award is open to Farm Bureau members between the ages of 18 and 35, who have excelled in their production farming operation, understand current issues affecting agriculture, and show leadership and involvement in Farm Bureau and their local community. [release]

Register Now for Ag in the Classroom Summer Teacher Training
The classes are for teachers of all grade levels and subject areas, home school parents, extension agents, and others interested in agricultural literacy. [release]

Owning Livestock Shouldn't Require a Greenhouse Gas Permit
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s proposed regulation of emissions from automobile tailpipes could inadvertently catch naturally-occurring methane from cows and pigs in the costly mix. The Farm Bureau is asking Wisconsin’s Congressional delegation to co-sponsor legislation drafted to ensure that livestock farms would not need costly greenhouse gas permits. [release]

Voluntary Carbon Credit Programs Need To Be Part of Federal Bill
The Wisconsin Farm Bureau wants to make sure that voluntary carbon credit programs are in good standing with carbon emission legislation being considered on the federal level. [release]

Planning on Your Farm - Useful Resources for Farmers
Download the following complimentary forms for use on your farm. the forms include a farm emergency template for emergency preparation, an employee handbook you can tailor to your farm and give to your employees and a farm safety handbook to help avoid injuries and losses. All three documents are available below in Word format.
EMERGENCY PLAN TEMPLATE EMPLOYEE HANDBOOK FARM SAFETY HANDBOOK

Wisconsin Ag Open Golf Outing
Mark your calendar for Monday, September 21, for the 12th Annual Wisconsin Ag Open Golf Outing. The outing will be held at Christmas Mountain Village in Wisconsin Dells. Proceeds of the Wisconsin Ag Open go to the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Foundation to support agricultural education and leadership programs. Wisconsin Ag Open brochure and registration form

Commodity and Futures Markets Information
This link takes you to the fbcountry, a web site from the American Farm Bureau Federation. From this site you can monitor futures markets including currencies, energies, financials, grains, indices, meats, metals, and softs.fbcountry futures information

Rural Mutual Insurance Offers to Send 50 Families to the Young Farmer and Agriculturist (YFA) Conference in December at the Kalahari
If you've never attended the YFA Conferencebefore, Rural Mutual wants to send you and your family. Just complete the sponsorship application on the back of this form and send to the address at the bottom of the page. You may apply as an individual or as a couple, but don't delay - only 50 double-occupancy rooms are available, and these spots will fill up fast! [application form]

June Dairy Month
Dairy month celebrates Wisconsin dariy throughout June. Dairy breakfasts are going on all over the state. To find a fun dairy event or breakfast near you, just click on the link to see a calendar of events. [Dairy Month Events]

Farm Bureau Has Polo Shirts, Kids' Shirts, T-Shirts, Hats, Sweatshirts and Other Great Gifts
The Farm Bureau logo on these items is a great way to show your Farm Bureau pride. These items also make great gifts for any member of your family Click on the catalog link to view the available items and print out the order form to mail in with your check.

Logo items color catalog (pdf)

ORDER FORM

Children's Books - Series of Agriculture Books For Elementary School Kids
The WFB Foundation has a serious of Children's Agriculture Books for sale as part of the ongoing effort by Wisconsin Agriculture in the Classroom to promote books for elementary-age children that accurately portray modern agriculture.The books are appropriate for grades K-6 and have been selected for their accuracy, readability, and overall appeal to kids.Order Form

2009 Young Farmer and Agriculturists
YFA 2009 Discussion Meet manual and application [pdf]
YFA 2009 Excellence in Agriculture Award application [pdf]

Test Your Ag I.Q.
Are you smarter than a 5th grade farm kid? Take this fun online test from AFBF and see how you score. [Quiz]

Farm Bureau member sign - These single sided aluminum signs are 18"' x 24" and include the Farm Bureau logo along with your family name, farm name, or company name. Click the link below for a pdf order form and more information on these great signs.
FARM BUREAU MEMBER SIGN INFORMATION