FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Jan. 26, 2015
Contact: Danielle Endvick
715.723.5561 | cell 715.471.0398
dendvick@wisconsinfarmersunion.com
‘Friend of the Family Farmer’honorees recognized at Farmers Union State Convention
EAU CLAIRE–Wisconsin Farmers Union recognized three deserving recipients with the “Friend of the Family Farmer” award Jan. 24 at the 84th annual WFU State Convention in Eau Claire. The Friend of the Family Farmer award was first given in 2013. It is meant to honor individuals for their actions in support of issues that impact farmers and rural residents throughout the state.
“Wisconsin Farmers Union instituted the Friend of the Family Farmer award in order to recognize the exceptional contributions of individuals who go above and beyond in tackling the tough topics facing rural Wisconsinites,” said WFU President Darin Von Ruden. “We would like to thank each of these Friends of the Family Farmer for making sure the voices of Wisconsin’s farmers and rural residents are heard in Madison.”
Award recipients included:
Representative Scott Krug (R – Nekoosa) represents Wisconsin’s 72nd Assembly District, which is located in the central part of the state and covers a portionof the Central Sands region. He is Chairman of the Committee on Consumer Protection and also serves on the Committees on Environment and Forestry, Mining and Rural Development, Public Benefit Reform, Colleges and Universities, and Jobs and the Economy. Rep. Krug has been a key player in efforts toward comprehensive groundwater legislation and played an important role in preventing the passage of Senate Bill 302 and Assembly Bill 679. If adopted, these bills would have been a huge step backwards in efforts to manage Wisconsin’s groundwater resources in a reasonable fashion. During his two terms in the Assembly, Rep. Krug has also helped farmers and rural residents by working to expand access to broadband across rural areas of Wisconsin.
Mike McCabe is the former Executive Director of the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign and author of “Blue Jeans in High Places: The Coming Makeover of American Politics.” During his time at Wisconsin Democracy Campaign, McCabe advocated for an open and transparent government by tracking the money in state politics and working for reforms that make people matter more than money in politics. In his recently released book, McCabe argues that America’s two major political parties are failing the majority of its citizens, leaving them “feeling betrayed and politically homeless.” He goes on to detail six steps citizens can take to get back in the driver’s seat of our government. Through the years, he has diligently fought against government corruption and continues to be a vital voice for campaign finance reform.
Senator Jennifer Shilling (D – La Crosse) represents Wisconsin’s 32nd Assembly Senate District, which covers all of La Crosse and Monroe Counties, as well as parts of Vernon and Crawford Counties in Southwestern Wisconsin. Before being elected to the Wisconsin State Senate in 2011, she served in the Wisconsin State Assembly from 2000-2010. She served on the Joint Committee of Finance from 2009-2014 and was recently elected as the Senate Democratic Leader. During her time as a member of the State Legislature, Sen. Shilling has been an advocate for farmers and rural residents at the state capitol, fighting for protection of local control and increased access to affordable healthcare.
