Editor’s note: Support from ag groups for the confirmation of Brad Pfaff, Wisconsin’s secretary-designee of the state Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, is pouring in ahead of Tuesday’s vote. The following is a round up of the press releases we received in time for Tuesday’s Morning Ag Clips.
LISBON, Wis. — Senators Fitzgerald, Bernier, Bewley, Carpenter, Cowles, Craig, Darling, Erpenbach, Feyen, Hansen, Jacque, Johnson, Kapenga, Kooyenga, Larson, LeMahieu, Marklein, Miller, Nass, Olsen, Petrowski, Ringhand, Risser, Roth, Schachtner, Shilling, Smith, Stroebel, Taylor, Testin, Tiffany, Wanggaard and Wirch:
In February of this year, the Wisconsin Corn Growers Association (WCGA) stood united with other leading Wisconsin farm organizations in support of Brad Pfaff as Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP).
Nine months later, our position has not wavered.
In a joint letter, we wrote: “Brad Pfaff grew up on a dairy farm in LaCrosse County and has worked in Agriculture Policy his entire adult life. He served in both DC and in Wisconsin as policy advisor for Senator Kohl and Congressman Kind. He also served
as State Director for the Farm Services Agency.
In all those roles, Pfaff has been a tireless advocate for farmers, agribusinesses, and rural Wisconsin. He also has a deep understanding of the wide variety of commodities and business operations that exists in Wisconsin and supports agriculture of all sizes and scales.”
As I’m sure you are aware, Wisconsin’s agriculture industry is one of the leading economic drivers of our state, contributing $104.8 billion annually, along with 11.8 percent of the state’s employment. Every job in agriculture supports an additional 1.46 jobs elsewhere in Wisconsin.
Wisconsin’s farmers – while providing so much to this great state – are struggling. Here at WCGA, we call it the “perfect storm”. On a federal level, the future of USMCA remains uncertain and the use of ethanol-blended fuels is still jeopardized by RFS waivers. Our growers are dealing with increased tariffs, low commodity prices and a combination of surprises from Mother Nature, including a wet Spring and what appears to be an early winter.
Our members need stability and continuity. They need someone to speak on their behalf, to work on their behalf and to put it simply: someone to care. Brad Pfaff is that person.
Our Board of Directors understands your concerns and would very much appreciate the opportunity to discuss them further.
We respectfully request that you delay the vote on Secretary-Designee Pfaff’s confirmation so that we may meet with you and share in this crucial conversation. Please give us time to show you why his successful confirmation is critical to the
success – and in some cases survival – of Wisconsin’s agricultural producers.
Sincerely,
Doug Rebout
WCGA President
MADISON, Wis. — Cooperative Network – the trusted voice for cooperatives in Minnesota and Wisconsin – sent a letter to all Wisconsin Senators Monday urging them to support Acting Secretary Brad Pfaff’s confirmation to the top post at the Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection (DATCP).
Dan Smith, Cooperative Network’s President and CEO, said the following:
“As a board member of the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, it has been my honor to work closely with Secretary Designate, Brad Pfaff. His experience, work ethic and dedication to Wisconsin agriculture highly qualifies him to lead this important state agency.
Wisconsin Farmers are facing some of the most challenging economic and weather-related conditions they have seen in decades. Our members rely on a fully-functioning DATCP. Therefore, it is important to allow Secretary Designate Pfaff and his staff to continue to work toward real solutions and a better future.”
The Senate is slated to vote on Acting Secretary Pfaff’s nomination on Tuesday, November 5. His confirmation was unanimously passed out of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Revenue and Financial Institutions earlier this year. Cooperative Network supported the affirmative vote and continues to advocate for his immediate confirmation.
— Cooperative Network
MADISON, Wis. — The state’s largest dairy lobbying group issued the following statement Monday regarding the state Senate’s consideration of Brad Pfaff, Wisconsin’s secretary-designee of the state Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection.
STATEMENT
Our dairy farmers are being battered by a perfect storm of challenges, from low milk prices in recent years and extreme weather conditions to shifting regulations and trade disruptions. What we desperately need is certainty and stability, not a political fight. DBA supported Mr. Pfaff’s appointment at the outset and we see no reason to change that position now. At this critical moment for Wisconsin’s dairy community, the right thing to do is to keep him in place.
About DBA:
The Dairy Business Association is the leading dairy lobby group in Wisconsin, focused on advocating for sensible state laws and regulations that affect the dairy community. The nonprofit organization is comprised of dairy farmers, milk processors, vendors and other business partners who work collaboratively to ensure that dairy farms of all sizes have the support they need to keep America’s Dairyland strong. More information: www.dairyforward.com
— Dairy Business Association
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