The Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation is in strong and in good hands after 100 years, according to the organization’s former president.

Jim Holte of Elk Mound spent his final hours as president Monday as the Farm Bureau’s county delegates debated farm policies during their annual policy session in Wisconsin Dells. He announced his retirement earlier this year after seven years in the position, and later on Monday the new Farm Bureau Board named Joe Bragger of Independence as his successor.

“As I mentioned last night in my speech, Scott, I’m very optimistic for the organization,” Holte said. “I said, and I continue to believe, that the right people in the room can carry this organization forward, and that gives me a lot of comfort.”

The former president said the Farm Bureau always has been a strong organization with county organizations and delegates steering it.

“That’s been our strength, and it will continue to be our strength,” he said.

Some things about the president’s role will be missed, he added. Friendships that he’s found across the country are among the greatest of the things he said he’ll most miss.

Holte also said farm organizations such as the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation are among the places in which people go across political party lines to debate policy issues and work together to resolve problems.

“We cut across the lines in this organization,” he said. “We’re a general farm organization; we have interest in all the different commodities and we take great effort in representing all views.”

The Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation is in strong and in good hands after 100 years, according to the organization&rsquo;s former president.
Jim Holte of Elk Mound spent his final hours as president Monday as the Farm Bureau&rsquo;s county delegates debated farm policies during their annual policy session in Wisconsin Dells. He announced his retirement earlier this year after seven years in the position, and later on Monday the new Farm Bureau Board named Joe Bragger of Independence as his successor.
&ldquo;As I mentioned last night in my speech, Scott, I&rsquo;m very optimistic for the organization,&rdquo; Holte said. &ldquo;I said, and I continue to believe, that the right people in the room can carry this organization forward, and that gives me a lot of comfort.&rdquo;
The former president said the Farm Bureau always has been a strong organization with county organizations and delegates steering it.
&ldquo;That&rsquo;s been our strength, and it will continue to be our strength,&rdquo; he said.
Some things about the president&rsquo;s role will be missed, he added. Friendships that he&rsquo;s found across the country are among the greatest of the things he said he&rsquo;ll most miss.
Holte also said farm organizations such as the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation are among the places in which people go across political party lines to debate policy issues and work together to resolve problems.
&ldquo;We cut across the lines in this organization,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;We&rsquo;re a general farm organization; we have interest in all the different commodities and we take great effort in representing all views.&rdquo;

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MID-WEST FARM REPORT - EAU CLAIRE

Join Bob Bosold, Jill Welke and Kristin Smith as they give you the daily happenings in the agricultural world here in the 7-1-5 area of Wisconsin.  Part of the Mid-West Farm Report network.

Join Bob Bosold, Jill Welke and Kristin Smith as they give you the daily happenings in the agricultural world here in the 7-1-5 area of Wisconsin.  Part of the Mid-West Farm Report network.

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