For immediate release: December 16, 2009

For More Information Contact:
Adrienne Joseph
715-214-7244
ajoseph@wisconsinfarmersunion.com

Feingold, Governor Candidates, Working Lands featured at Wisconsin Farmers Union 2010 Convention

Chippewa Falls, Wis. (December 16, 2009) - U.S. Senator Russ Feingold, candidates for Governor and the state's revamped farmland preservation tax credits will be featured at the 79th Annual Wisconsin Farmers Union Convention on Feb. 6-7, 2010, at the Plaza Hotel and Suites in Eau Claire, WFU President Doug Caruso announced today.

"Family Farms: The Real Deal," will be the theme of the convention where WFU members from across the state will gather to discuss farm and rural issues and set the organization's policy for the coming year.

Feingold, author of recently introduced legislation to require Country of Origin Labels on dairy products, will address the Saturday evening banquet, Caruso said. "Senator Feingold has also been working to ensure adequate credit is available to farmers and for stepped up enforcement of antitrust laws to stem practices that reduce competition for farm products."

Major candidates for Governor have been invited to address the convention and share their views on farm and rural issues. "We hope the candidates will take this opportunity to explain why they believe farmers and other rural citizens should support them," Caruso said.

"The new Wisconsin Working Lands Initiative - What does it mean to me as a farmer and landowner?" will be the focus of a convention session led by Rick Stadelman of the Wisconsin Towns Association and Vicki Elkin of the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade & Consumer Protection. "The state substantially changed the former farmland preservation tax credit program earlier this year and created a new Purchase of Agricultural Conservation Easement (PACE) program," Caruso explained. "This session will provide important information every rural landowner ought to know."

The WFU Youth Convention Co-op Program will run concurrent with the state convention. The co-op program is for youth grades 7-12 and will feature Chelsea Lake, director of the YES Camp, a cooperative leadership camp in Vancouver, B.C.

Registration will begin at 7:30 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 6, 2010, and programs will conclude after lunch on Sunday, Feb. 7, 2010. The public is welcomed to attend the convention. Special discounts apply for people who register prior to Jan. 22, 2010.

The registration form is available online at www.wisconsinfarmersunion.com. For more information, please contact the WFU state office at 800-272-5531.

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Wisconsin Farmers Union, a member-driven organization, is committed to enhancing the quality of life for family farmers, rural communities and all citizens through educational opportunities, cooperative endeavors and civic engagement.