During the week of July 15, all eyes in national politics will be set on Milwaukee – site of the 2024 Republican National Convention – and Washington, D.C., where legislators are handling legislative business prior to the August recess with an election on the horizon. 

The Wisconsin Soybean Association (WSA) will have a presence in both locations.  

On July 17, WSA Directors Steve Trzebiatowski and Katie Kaczor are attending the Great American Farm Fair in Waterford with farmer leaders and legislators, including Sen. Roger Marshall and Glenn “GT” Thompson, chairman of the House Ag Committee. For the first time in the event’s 40-year history, the tour will be held on a working farm.  

“I think if it’s in an ag forum, it’s fantastic for WSA to take part in that,” Trzebiatowski said. “It’s always good for legislators to know that we’re there and committed to advocating for Wisconsin’s soybean farmers.” 

Nearly 800 miles away, in the nation’s sweltering capital city, Tanner Johnson and Don Lutz – who represent Wisconsin on the American Soybean Association (ASA) – along with WSA Treasurer Matt Rehberg and ASA Young Leader Danny Brisky, are attending ASA’s July board meeting and biannual visits with lawmakers on Capitol Hill.  

Lutz, who was spraying crops on his farm in Scandinavia in the days leading up to the meetings, said he expects to meet mostly with legislative staffers. As of July 19, WSA was slated to visit the offices of Republican Congressman Derrick Van Orden, Republican Sen. Ron Johnson and Democratic Sen. Tammy Baldwin.

“There are so many issues on the table right now,” Lutz said. “We don’t mind if it’s staff people because they can pretty well diagnose the policies.”  

Farmers are expecting to discuss a variety of federal farm-related issues, including the status of the Farm Bill, sustainable aviation fuel and regulatory policies related to the Endangered Species Act and herbicide labeling. In addition to Hill Visits, WSA leaders are also hoping to visit USDA and/or EPA’s headquarters.  

“I’m looking forward to visiting with (Steve and Katie) and sharing about our experiences with legislators,” Johnson said. “It’s a rare thing for ag to be such a focus with legislators, so it sounds like a great opportunity for WSA, both at home and in D.C.