WBA Ag Section Board Met With DATCP Secretary Romanski
Pictured (left to right sitting): L to R sitting – Amy Austin, Lake Ridge Bank, Evansville; Elsa Condon, Nicolet National Bank, Fond du Lac; Craig Rogan, Nicolet National Bank, Stevens Point; Jenny Jereczek, Security Financial Bank, Durand; and WBA’s Lorenzo Cruz.
(left to right standing): Nick Felder, MidWestOne Bank, Lancaster; Chris Schneider, Nicolet National Bank, Grand Chute; Matt Hartmann, BMO, Menomonee Falls; DATCP Secretary Randy Romanski; Adam Sommer, Bank of Brodhead; Lance Lansing, Apple River State Bank, Darlington; and Jeff Wilke, Bank First, Denmark.
Members of the WBA Agricultural Bankers Section Board met on Friday, June 21, 2024 at the WBA office in Madison to kick off their new membership year and discuss plans for the rest of 2024 and into spring 2025. The group was honored to welcome DATCP Secretary Randy Romanski to the meeting as a special guest.
Secretary Romanski shared updates on many initiatives to increase awareness and understanding of the farming community in Wisconsin and its’ economic impact. In particular, the group discussed the success of the producer-led watershed grant program with several farmer led groups continuing to improve their efforts. DATCP also looks to continue to promote the use of Wisconsin agriculture and food products to be used locally in the state. Romanski noted a recent success story between the New Richmond school district and a local farmer to provide local beef for school meal preparation. Romanski and the board also identified challenges they see within the farming community, such as mental health challenges, the difficulty for someone to truly start up as a new farmer, succession/transition planning, and more. The WBA Ag Section Board looks forward to meeting with Secretary Romanski again later this year as the state agency works on their budget proposals for the next state budget.
