RURAL MUTUAL

Rural Mutual Insurance continues to ask themselves, “What more can we do to support our customers and communities to help keep Wisconsin Strong through the pandemic challenges?”

From our office in Madison and locations throughout Wisconsin, corporately and individually we are involved with organizations to give back to our communities. With agents throughout Wisconsin, we’ve seen a generous outpouring of donations from our agents.

Bobby Mickelson and Nathan Sylte in Eau Claire donated to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwestern Wisconsin. They wanted to give back to an organization that helps shape the youth and future leaders of our communities. Big Brothers Big Sisters coordinates events, pairs leaders with future leaders and is an organization that provides an outlet and direction for youth.

Charles Collier in Dodgeville donated to the Iowa County Humane Society. The humane society is dedicated to making communities more humane places for animals by providing shelter and care to animals in need. They are a voice through animal welfare advocacy and working towards a world where every animal has a loving home.

Deanna Richert in Hammond donated to Five Loaves Food Shelf. Being involved in her community, Deanna sees many requests for help with food, especially families who have been affected by the pandemic. The food shelf also provides weekend meals for elementary school families and works with the local homeless shelter.

Jason Lincicum in Waunakee donated to Prairie Valley Resale Store. The store has provided household and personal items to the community for the past 11 years. This last year particularly, they assisted in programs such as grocery delivery for elderly, disabled or financially insecure citizens.

Louis Bentley in Monona donated to Operation Fresh Start. As a member of the board of directors, Louis sees the impact this organization has. Operation Fresh Start provides comprehensive employment and training services to youth and adults in Dane County. Their core program enables young people to develop green construction and conservation skills by involving them in the construction and renovation of affordable homes as well as environmental stewardship projects.

Cheyne Count in Elkhorn donated to the Lakeland Animal Shelter. The vision is to achieve zero tolerance for ending the lives of savable pets in the community. Every year, the animal shelter cares for more than 2,500 animals. Cheyne’s family has a passion for helping animals and has adopted several animals from the shelter.

Your community is our community. As a Wisconsin-only company, Rural Mutual strives to make Wisconsin a better place to live.

To find an agent near you, visit RuralMutual.com/agent.

For the fifth year in a row since Rural Mutual Insurance established the first-of-its-kind Farm Dividend Program, the company’s Board of Directors declared a 5 percent dividend on all eligible farm policies for 2020 farm policyholders.

During the past five years, Rural Mutual has paid out more than $12.5 million to Wisconsin farmers as part of this program.

Based on the company’s positive operating results, an estimated $2.5 million will be paid out in 2021 at the time of farm policy renewal. Farmers started receiving dividend checks in late February.

“This program wouldn’t be possible without our Wisconsin farmer’s hard work, belief in farm safety and loyalty to Rural Mutual. This is one way that we can reward our farm policyholders in recognition for their essential work to our economy,” said Executive Vice President and CEO of Rural Mutual Insurance Dan Merk.

This is the fifth year a Farm Dividend has been declared. In 2017, Rural Mutual Insurance became the first Wisconsinbased insurance company to offer its farm policyholders a dividend. The Farm Dividend is one of the ways Rural Mutual continues to support their farm policyholders, especially amidst a difficult year. It also reinforces their strong relationship with the Wisconsin Farm Bureau.

Rural Mutual is the number one writer of farm insurance in Wisconsin. The company was founded by farmers to better understand farmers’ unique insurance needs, no matter the size of the farm operation. Rural Mutual is a single-state insurer, so local agents’ knowledge is specific to Wisconsin. Its farm coverage options include home and personal items, farm buildings, vehicles, farm personal property and workers’ compensation for farm employees.

For more information, please contact a Rural Mutual agent, or visit RuralMutual.com/farmdividend.

On Feb. 19, Rural Mutual Insurance’s 2020 top-producing agents were recognized at the virtual Sales Rally and Awards.

Jenni Zinda-Mancl, Stevens Point, Lake and Woods District, was named Rural Mutual’s Agent of the Year.

Jenni Zinda-Mancl also was recognized as the Company Top Performer in Commercial Lines, Farm Lines and Personal Lines.

Tyler Kuehni, Delavan, Badgerland District, was named Rookie of the Year.

The District of the Year honor went to the Lake and Woods District managed by Dave Meihak.

Mathew Immel, Fond du Lac, Big Lakes District, was the Company Top Performer in Life Lines.

Congratulations to all of Rural Mutual’s agents on an outstanding year.

Don’t wait for severe weather to arrive to start thinking about keeping yourself and your family safe.

Now is the time to become StormAware. Being StormAware means that you and your family not only know how to protect yourselves in the event of a tornado or severe weather, but that you are aware of whenever the weather forecast calls for a chance of severe storms, that during those times you monitor the weather for severe watches and warnings.

• Listen to your local radio and TV stations for updated storm information. • What is the difference between a tornado watch and warning? • A tornado WATCH means a tornado is possible in your area. • A tornado WARNING means a tornado has been sighted and may be headed for your area. Go to safety immediately. • Tornado WATCHES and WARNINGS are issued at the county level.

• First-aid kit and essential medications. • Canned food and can opener. • At least three gallons of water per person. • Protective clothing, bedding or sleeping bags. • Battery-powered radio, flashlight and extra batteries. • Special items for infant, elderly or disabled family members. • Written instructions on how to turn off electricity, gas and water if authorities advise you to do so. Remember, you will need a professional to turn natural gas service back on.

• Know your area’s tornado risk. In the U.S., the Midwest and the southeast have a greater risk for tornadoes. • Know the signs of a tornado, including a rotating, funnelshaped cloud; an approaching cloud of debris; or a loud roar — similar to a freight train. • Sign up for your community’s warning system. The

Emergency Alert System (EAS). If your community has

sirens, then become familiar with the warning tone. • Pay attention to weather reports.

Meteorologists can predict when conditions might be right for a tornado. • Identify and practice going to a safe shelter. The best protection is a small, interior, windowless room on the lowest level of a sturdy building.

• Immediately go to a safe location that you identified. • Take additional cover by shielding your head and neck with your arms and putting materials such as furniture and blankets around you. • Listen to EAS, NOAA Weather Radio or local alerting systems for emergency information and instructions. • Do not try to outrun a tornado in a vehicle. • If you are in a car or outdoors and cannot get to a building.

Seek shelter in a low-lying area such as a ditch or ravine.

Cover your head and neck with your arms and cover your body with a coat or blanket, if possible.

• Keep listening to EAS, NOAA Weather Radio or local authorities for updated information. • Stay clear of fallen power lines or broken utility lines. • Do not enter a damaged building until you are told that it is safe. • Save your phone calls for emergencies. Phone systems are often down or busy after a disaster. Use text messaging or social media to communicate with family and friends.

Tornadoes are one of nature’s most violent storms and can cause death, injury or destruction within seconds.

For more tips on preparing your family for severe weather, visit the Preparedness section of RedCross.org.