Be a voice for farmers: Run for local office

By Chad Zuleger,
DBA associate director of government affairs

Agriculture’s voice in elected office in Wisconsin has dwindled in recent decades.

This is particularly worrisome at the local level. To see how important this is, you need only look at recent proposals across the state to prohibit the expansion of dairy farms and outright ban animal agriculture.

This happens when dairy farming and other segments of agriculture aren’t represented on city, town and village boards. It happens when county boards are dominated by urban priorities while rural voices are muted.

You can be that voice by running for local office. We urge you to consider doing so.

Local governments, particularly in rural Wisconsin and on the edges of urban centers, need the farming community’s commonsense, no-nonsense approach to achieve sensible solutions to real problems. Farmers and others in agriculture are uniquely qualified to address land and resource management, water quality concerns, economic development, zoning, transportation, governance issues and more.

The Wisconsin Elections Commission has resources to help you navigate the process and meet deadlines, including getting your name on the ballot and meeting reporting requirements.

KEY DATES AND DEADLINES

County offices: County supervisor, county executive. Ballot access checklist

Municipal offices: Mayor, alderperson, town board member, village board member, clerk, treasurer. Ballot access checklist

• Jan. 4 — 5 p.m.

> File nomination signature papers
> Submit completed campaign registration statement
> Submit completed declaration of candidacy
> Deliver original copies of nomination papers to county clerk

• Feb. 15 — Spring primary election
• April 5 — Spring election

Note: Local governments may require a candidate to file a statement of economic interests. Contact your municipal clerk to find out if this requirement applies and visit the Wisconsin Ethics Commission website for further instructions.

DBA is always here as a resource. If you have questions, please contact me at czuleger@dairyforward.com.