Area resident testifies for importance of family farms in the country’s capital
Brenda Kluesner
By Rachel Mergen
On July 25, Brenda Kluesner, loan officer and crop insurance banker at Royal Bank in Cassville, was given an opportunity she never expected someone from southwest Wisconsin would receive. Brenda testified at the “Commodities, Crop Insurance and Credit Hearing.” Before the Senate agriculture committee, her purpose was to represent the thoughts and lives of those living in rural communities who require stable politics, so that they can live the best possible lives on their family farms.
“I have a passion for agriculture,” Brenda stated while looking back on what started her love for farming. She has an extensive amount of knowledge about FFA and crop insurance, along with a long history in farming, including owning and operating her own family farm.
Brenda began working at Royal Bank due to her appreciation of “their perspective on agriculture policy.” She enjoyed that the bank was rural and that decisions could be completed locally. Little did she know, at the beginning of her time at the bank, that this choice of employment would eventually lead her to impressing both her neighbors and the country in Washington D.C.
The opportunity started out with an email from the Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) to rural bank employees one week prior to the testimony. The email was calling for a volunteer with a strong agriculture background to speak about the next farm bill. Brenda put in her name, along with some basic background information about herself. Soon enough, to the excitement of her and her family, she was chosen to represent the area while discussing the bill.
Brenda said she had jumped toward the opportunity because, “I believe it’s important for the representatives to hear from rural Wisconsin farmers.” She noted how, in politics, sometimes, the wants of the people can be left unheard, and she wanted a way to bring the community’s thoughts to those running the government.
Brenda flew into D.C. the morning of July 24, nervous and terrified about what she was about to take part in. She practiced her testimony that evening. She remembered not being able to sleep afterward as she realized how important her opportunity was to rural communities. She felt overwhelmed by the large amounts of people she was meeting in D.C. and by how much of an impact she could have on the country.
Her testimony included five points that her and the ICBA believed needed to be considered and included in the next farm bill. According to the ICBA, these points were: 1) to provide producers ample funds for commodities, crop insurance and credit programs to help them weather a potential farm income or farm credit crisis, 2) to consider any program changes, including outside the current farm bill, that benefit producers and their community banks, 3) to direct agencies to reduce regulatory burdens and prohibit regulations not based on statutory language or that add unnecessary regulatory burdens, 4) to require federal agencies’ rules to treat all categories of program participants fairly, and 5) to require direct loan programs to compliment, not undercut, private sector lending.
Brenda stressed the importance of needing a strong farm safety net and stability for family farms, especially during moments of crisis. She pointed out that it’s important for farmers to plan ahead, so the new farm bill should look five years into the future. She added that stability now also helps the next generation.
“The farm bill affects a lot of people from farmers to those using food stamps,” Brenda mentioned.
Brenda’s testimony took about four hours to complete, and that night, she headed home to her family in Bloomington, which includes her husband Tony and their four children Bart, Brett, Brandi and Bo.
“I really felt like I did a good thing,” exclaimed Brenda about her experience. In the future, she doesn’t have any more concrete plans to help support the farm bill formally, but if an opportunity arises, she’ll happily take the chance to help her fellow farmers again.
