Release Date: April 19, 2018
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Media Contact: Rick Hummell, 608-224-5041 rick.hummell@wi.gov
Bill Cosh, Communications Director, 608-224-5020 William2Cosh@wi.gov
MADISON – The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection announced today that 13 nominees are certified eligible for the Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin 2018 board election.
Formerly known as the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board, the organization recently changed its name as part of a rebranding effort. While the organization's legal name remains Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board, it will be doing business as Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin.
The following candidates, listed by district, are certified as eligible for election:
District 2 Florence, Forest, Langlade, Marinette, Oconto, and Vilas counties
Nominee – Connie Seefeldt, Coleman
District 5 St. Croix, Dunn counties
Nominees – Kay Zwald, Hammond; Rachel Kummer, Mondovi
District 8 Marathon County
Nominee – Steven Sternweis, Marshfield
District 11 Outagamie and Winnebago counties
Nominee – Mike Verhasselt, Kaukauna
District 14 Jackson, LaCrosse and Trempealeau counties
Nominees – Patricia Kling, Taylor; Louisa Peterson, Bangor
District 17 Calumet and Manitowoc counties
Nominee – Julie Maurer, Newton
District 20 Richland and Sauk counties
Nominee – Sharon Laubscher, Wonewoc
District 23 Iowa and Lafayette counties
Nominees – Jay Stauffacher, Darlington; Deborah Nelson, Arena;
Jerry Zander, Barneveld; Brenda Yager, Highland
DATCP confirmed that each candidate is an active dairy producer or representative of an affected producer, who sells milk into commercial channels and lives in the district up for election. In addition, DATCP certified each candidate's nomination form, which included five signatures from active dairy producers within the district and a notarized "Affidavit of Eligibility" requirement.
To vote, DATCP is distributing mail-in ballots to dairy producers who live within the eight affected districts. Producers who do not receive a ballot by May 10 should contact Debbie Gegare, the Market Orders Program Coordinator at (608) 224-5116 or Debbie.Gegare@Wisconsin.gov to request a ballot. The election period runs through May 25, with results announced the end of May. For more election information, visit www.wisconsindairy.org/elections.
DATCP administers elections for Wisconsin commodity marketing boards. To learn more about the market order boards, visit https://datcp.wi.gov/Pages/About_Us/MarketingBoards.aspx