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Soybean Association president: “members have a voice”

The new president of the Wisconsin Soybean Association says it’s important that farmers have a voice by joining a commodity organization.  Brad Kremer of Pittsville, Wisconsin, says that no matter what farmers produce, the majority of them agree on many issues.

“We have a common goal,” said Kremer, during an interview with Brownfield Ag News at the Wisconsin Corn and Soy Expo.  “We need to unite and come together, so that when we go to Washington or when we go to Madison, we have one voice and have a really solid presence when we go talk to our lawmakers, because all these issues affect us.”

Kremer says there are two halves to the soybean organization in Wisconsin.  One is the checkoff board supported by what farmers pay each time they sell soybeans.  The other is supported by dues.

“The grower association, the half that I’m on, is directly involved with meeting with lawmakers and keeping the policy side of things and that’s strictly driven by memberships,” he said.

Statewide, Kremer says growers are trying to find a solution to the University of Wisconsin’s agriculture extension budget shortfall.