From Eric Wuthrich
Green County Farm Bureau President, Monroe
To the Editor:
In southwest Wisconsin, 98% of farms are family owned and passed down through generations. They carry forward a deep respect for the land and the hard work it takes to care for it. These farms face challenges together, adapt through change, and remain the backbone of their communities.
Family farms are responsible for putting food on Wisconsin tables and our farmers take deep pride in providing that important service. However, across the country, there is a growing conversation around policies that could put thousands of family farms out of business.
Farmers rely on diesel-powered equipment; they’ve already invested in it to get the job done. Although electric options are being explored, current technology cannot match the power and practicality required by our local farms. Proposed legislative rules should support solutions that keep farms running while working towards future alternatives.
Thankfully, Senator Marklein and his colleagues in the Senate understand this. The state Senate recently passed SB 184, which would prohibit future elected officials from banning equipment like tractors, combines or heating systems simply because they use diesel, propane gas, or other carbon-based fuels.
Thank you, Senator Marklein, for being a leading voice in protecting the livelihoods of family farms and ensuring that they can continue to feed the people across the country.