Wisconsin Farm Bureau Celebrates Consumer Engagement Milestone

Wisconsin Farm Bureau is celebrating ten years of empowering members and helping farmers share their stories. What began as a grassroots effort in 2016 with the creation of the WFBF Promotion and Education Committee has grown into a dynamic, statewide initiative that continues to evolve as agriculture and consumer expectations change.

Over the last decade, the program has expanded its reach, introduced innovative tools and events and deepened its impact on both Farm Bureau members and Wisconsin consumers. From leadership development to hands-on consumer engagement, the program has become a cornerstone of member involvement and agricultural outreach across the state.

"I was one of the first members on the new P&E committee in 2016," said Waushara County Farm Bureau member Lynn Leahy. "Over the years, we have changed drastically as we have realized the need for farmers to share their story with consumers. The committee has transitioned into a consumer engagement program."

These advancements reflect the expanded role members play in building consumer trust and confidence in agriculture. To better represent this mission, Wisconsin Farm Bureau voting delegates approved changing the name of the program from Promotion and Education to Promotion and Engagement at the WFBF Annual Meeting in December 2025.

"As we look ahead to the next decade, our focus is meeting consumers where they are and continuing to build trust through authentic, farmer-led engagement," said WFBF Promotion and Engagement Committee Chair Steve Mueller. "Our goal is to cultivate meaningful connections with farmers by equipping Farm Bureau members with the tools and confidence to share their story."

After 10 years of growth and innovation, the Promotion and Engagement program is poised for an even more impactful future. By continuing to create opportunities for farmers and agriculturists to cultivate meaningful connections, Wisconsin Farm Bureau remains committed to telling the story of Wisconsin agriculture for decades to come.

Celebrations acknowledging ten years of P&E will take place on the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Foundation Facebook page and at in-person events throughout 2026. Learn more about WFBF's Promotion and Engagement program by visiting https://wfbf.com/programs/promotion-and-engagement/.

Wisconsin Farm Bureau's Promotion and Engagement program empowers farmers to engage with consumers and share the story of agriculture. The program is designed to build awareness and understanding of agriculture through consumer engagement, grassroots education and training and advocacy. Promotion and Engagement is supported by the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Foundation.