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Farmers in Wisconsin Voice Concerns as November Election Approaches

USA 29.10.2024
Source: DairyNews.today
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With the November election fast approaching, Wisconsin's agricultural community, central to the state’s identity as “America’s Dairyland,” is assessing which candidates best understand and support the critical needs of the farming industry.
Farmers in Wisconsin Voice Concerns as November Election Approaches
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The issues at the forefront for dairy farmers are economic stability, healthcare, immigration, and government support for agricultural operations, and their views reflect a complex mix of challenges that reach beyond party lines.

For Cambridge dairy farmer Tina Hinchley, who manages a herd of over 400 cows, experience in agriculture is essential in the White House. Hinchley, who has voiced her support for Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, the Democratic vice-presidential nominee, explained, “We all kind of need the same thing. We really shouldn’t be pulling at each other because we all need the same things.” She has also featured in campaign ads supporting Vice President Kamala Harris, underscoring her concerns about tariffs, which she argues have raised input costs for local businesses in the state, including canning companies impacted by rising steel prices.

Healthcare ranks high among her concerns as well, which has motivated her public advocacy in support of the Harris-Walz ticket. “If I did not do these ads, I would never forgive myself if I didn’t put the effort forth to make sure that I get my candidate in,” Hinchley added.

Meanwhile, just miles away in Fond du Lac, Grant Grinstead of Vir-Clar Farms—an operation that milks nearly 2,000 cows—also contends with the high costs of production. With parts, feed, and labor expenses steadily rising, Grinstead noted, “In our industry, certainly, the cost of doing business has dramatically increased.” Grinstead, who took the stage at a recent rally in support of former President Donald Trump, emphasizes open dialogue, explaining that, despite heated debates, political discourse should foster unity within the community.

Despite differing political preferences, both Hinchley and Grinstead agree on the urgent need for immigration reform, as the industry grapples with a shrinking labor force. “America was built on immigration,” Grinstead stated. He advocated for both border security and a more accessible immigration pathway, essential to maintaining the labor force needed for daily farm operations.

Hinchley echoed this, citing the crucial role of immigrant labor in agriculture: “Nobody wants to get up at four in the morning, get all full of manure, work 10 to 12 hours, and do it again tomorrow.”

Both the Trump and Harris-Walz campaigns have recognized the importance of winning over rural Wisconsin. The Harris-Walz campaign has made inroads in traditionally conservative counties, while multiple Wisconsin dairy organizations, including the Wisconsin Dairy Alliance and Venture Dairy Cooperative, have backed Trump.

Wisconsin’s farmers are navigating an industry in flux. The Census of Agriculture reported a drop of over 140,000 farms from 2017 to 2022, with another 5,000 lost from 2022 to 2023. Although farm bankruptcies have slowed since reaching a peak in 2019, the trend of smaller farms exiting the business and consolidation into larger operations continues, with the average farm size reaching a decades-long high of 236 acres in 2022.

As farmers in America’s Dairyland head to the polls, their choice will hinge on candidates’ ability to support economic resilience, healthcare solutions, and policies that address the industry’s unique labor needs. The race to secure the support of Wisconsin’s agricultural sector remains as pivotal as ever, as the candidates seek to demonstrate their commitment to the state’s farming heritage and future stability.

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