Farm Policy Reaches Every Grocery Cart

This past weekend, Wisconsinites across the state celebrated America's 250^th birthday with food, fireworks and family. What they didn't celebrate were the higher food prices when shopping for their holiday meals.

This year in Wisconsin, the average total cost of 12 food items used to host a summer cookout for ten totaled $75.50, according to the latest informal Wisconsin­ Farm Bureau Marketbasket survey. This was a 7.5% increase from last year. Price hikes were driven by large increases in the cost of summer staples like beef, strawberries and ice cream.

Agriculture depends on many inputs that come from around the world. Uncertainty in global markets means uncertainty for our food supply. Without the necessary inputs on our farms, we risk lower yields that will impact supplies and further increase consumer prices.

Higher prices don't equal higher profits for farmers. In fact, the opposite is true. Higher input prices cut into margins and are making it harder for farmers to stay afloat. Out of every food dollar, Wisconsin farmers are only receiving about six cents.

Increased fuel prices hit everyone's pocketbook, but when weight limits are added to local roads that force detours or repeat trips, the lost efficiency adds even more costs. The Agricultural Road Improvement Program (ARIP) provides local governments with the resources they need to make sure farmers have infrastructure they can operate on year-round and keep transportation costs down.

Labor shortages directly affect farmers' ability to deliver safe and healthy food from the fields to families. Our current labor crisis puts the nation's food security and affordability at risk. Meaningful farm labor legislation that delivers the certainty farmers need to continue growing nutritious food is an important step to helping lower costs for consumers.

As we enter election season here in Wisconsin, it is important to remember agriculture at the polls, whether you are directly involved in the industry or not. While farmers make up a decreasing portion of our population, every single person is a consumer of agricultural products and relies on the industry for food, fuel and fiber.

Voting for legislators that support farmers helps to strengthen agriculture and build a strong and resilient food system so that everyone can access quality food at affordable prices. When agriculture wins, everyone wins.

The next 250 years of America's history starts now. Let's make sure that agriculture can continue to thrive and support Wisconsinites for many years to come. Make your vote count.

Brad Olson was elected to the WFBF Board of Directors in 2022 to represent District 9, which includes Barron County, Chippewa County, Dunn County, Pierce County, Polk Burnett, Rusk County, Sawyer County, St. Croix County and Superior Shores Farm Bureaus. In December of 2023, Brad was elected as President of the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation. Brad and his family farm 600 acres and own a custom farming business near Frederic.