AG IN THE CLASSROOM

On Aug. 23, the Wisconsin Ag Soybean Association, Wisconsin Soybean Marketing Board and in the Classroom program Wisconsin Farm Bureau Foundation, each participant received hosted the Back-to-School Kick- a package of Soybean Ag Mags, other educational resources and Off at Farm Wisconsin Discovery a free copy of the 2020-2021 Book of the Year, "Full of Beans: Center in Manitowoc. Twenty- Henry Ford Grows a Car." two participants watched the After the event concluded, the participants had lunch and announcement of the 2020-2021 toured the Farm Wisconsin Discovery Center. The destination Book of the Year and essay contest also is changing programming for schools and tours during topic. The group listened to COVID-19. Teachers are still able to bring student groups to presentations on how to share Ag in Farm Wisconsin Discovery Center to see the interactive exhibits the Classroom resources during COVID-19 and how to work that teach students about Wisconsin agricultural production, with schools that are virtual, hybrid and in-person. food processing, and sustainable farming.

Attendees engaged in discussions on how they can share Farm Wisconsin Discovery Center offers 10,000 square essay information, network with teachers, conduct virtual farm feet of interactive experiences for various ages. With activities tours and National Ag Day events. The group learned about developed for grades K-12, the exhibits have something for new resources including the Growing Wisconsin lessons and everyone. They also offer Advanced STEM courses in soils activities, fall-themed programming, Training Tuesday videos and crops, culinary, reproduction, calf care and maternity care. and reviewed deadlines for contests, scholarships and grants. Learn more about the Farm Wisconsin Discovery Center at Thanks to essay contest sponsors We Energies, Wisconsin farmwisconsin.org.

Wisconsin Ag in the Classroom will offer several resources year. The compiled lessons will be located in the Lesson Plan for K-12 teachers, students, parents and volunteers this section of the Wisconsin Ag in the Classroom’s website school year. (wisagclassroom.org). Each month will feature an animal and

The Training Tuesday series on the Wisconsin Ag in the crop. The packet will have lessons for elementary, middle and Classroom YouTube channel will continue through the end of high school students from Wisconsin Ag in the Classroom, 2020. Each week, the video will cover resources, grants, projects, National Ag in the Classroom, American Farm Bureau commodity partners, programs and activities that Ag in the Foundation for Agriculture and other commodity groups. The Classroom offers. packet also will contain a career focus, activities students can do

Monthly themes will be offered throughout the school and links to videos on that topic.

to the Following WFB Foundation Donors: (Donations were made between July 21 and Sept. 28 2020)

• YourCause LLC Trustee • Benevity Community Impact Fund • Carl Casper in memory of Bob Bartholomew • Steve and Dawn Jones in memory of Bob Bartholomew • Carol Bartholomew in memory of Bob Bartholomew • Tom Oberhaus in memory of Bob Bartholomew • Dave Kruschke in memory of Bob Bartholomew • Wall Street Farmers Investment Club in memory of Bob

Bartholomew • Judith Porter in memory of Bob Bartholomew • Michael Beaumont in memory of Bob Bartholomew • Robert and Marilyn Stigler in memory of Bob Bartholomew • Racine County Farm Bureau in memory of Marjorie Demuth • Dan and Jean Poulson in memory of Chloe Eckelberg • Dan and Jean Poulson in memory of Eugene Krohn • Washington County Farm Bureau in memory of Marilyn Strupp • Jim and Gayle Holte in memory of Barbara Brock • Jim and Gayle Holte in memory of Bob Bartholomew • Sally Schoenike in memory of Bob Bartholomew • Joseph Kaczmarek in memory of Evelyn and Harold Sheedy

The Wisconsin Farm Bureau Foundation was established in 1988 to provide support for agricultural education and leadership programs. Through donations and other contributions, the foundation invests time and resources to support the next generation of agriculturists.

With everything going Open Enrollment through the Affordable Care Act Healthcare on right now, the Marketplace is available from Nov. 1 to Dec. 15. last thing you want to be Experienced insurance agents will walk you through the concerned about is your process, help you review your plan options and check for tax health insurance coverage. credit eligibility. Rural Mutual has For those who have recently had a policy terminate or are partnered with Broker without coverage, Short-Term Medical policies are available to Source to offer individual, cover unexpected injuries and illness. A Short-Term Medical group, short-term plans, vision, dental and senior products like plan allows you to stay covered month-to-month for up Medicare Supplements. As a valued Rural Mutual member, you to a year. can be confident that we have you covered with expanded health For members who own their own company with at least insurance options for you and your family. one other full-time employee, Rural Mutual can assist in

Rural Mutual and Broker Source understand that health exploring health insurance options for small-group health insurance can be complicated and the importance of insurance coverage. understanding your options is valuable. Whether you need health insurance, Medicare options, dental,

With Medicare Open Enrollment right around the corner vision, life or disability, as well as auto, home and farm, Rural from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7, our America's Health Insurance Plans- Mutual can guarantee, “we’ve got you covered.” Certified Enrollment Specialists can assist our members older To explore your options, please contact your local Rural than 65 with plan changes or purchasing supplemental and Mutual agent or visit RuralMutual.com to find an agent near prescription drug coverage. you. You also can contact the Brokers Source enrollment center

Additionally, for those younger than 65, the Individual/Family at 913.777.7732.

Rural Mutual Insurance Company has insurance industry. Only a small been selected as a ‘Ward’s Top 50 percentage of U.S. Performer’ for the 12th consecutive year. property and casualty insurance

“Being recognized with this honor for companies overall are awarded 12 consecutive years is an accomplishment an A+ (Superior) rating from that we are very proud of,” said Rural the agency, and achieving the highest rating is especially rare Mutual’s Director of Marketing for single state insurers. This is due to isolated weather-related Mike Lubahn. events, regulatory orders issued due to COVID-19 or other

Each year, Ward’s Group analyzes the financial performance economic concerns that can’t be offset by better conditions in of nearly 3,000 property-casualty insurance companies in the other regions. U.S. to identify the top performers. Rural Mutual’s accomplishment resulted from the company’s

“The Ward’s Top 50 is a testament to the hard work and consistently strong balance sheet and operating performance, dedication of the entire Rural Mutual team who every day demonstrated by 71 consecutive quarters of policyholder surplus reaffirms our company’s unwavering commitment to provide growth. This was enhanced by introducing new coverages the best protection and value to our customers we proudly serve including a limited water endorsement and milk spoilage due throughout Wisconsin,” said Rural Mutual’s Executive Vice to interruption of electrical service. President and CEO Dan Merk. “This A+ Rating is a result of hard work and dedication by

The top 50 companies are awarded the Ward’s 50 seal, and everyone to provide excellent products and services for our their names are listed as the Ward’s 50 Top Performers for customers day in and day out,” said Merk. “The rating also the year. Each Top 50 insurer passed safety and consistency reaffirms our company’s unwavering commitment to stay screens and achieved superior performance during the five ahead of the competition and adapt to our customer’s years analyzed. changing needs and demands in the communities we serve

Additionally, Rural Mutual is one of five single-state insurers throughout Wisconsin.” in the U.S. and the only single-state insurer in Wisconsin to Rural Mutual has protected Wisconsin homes, farms and receive a Financial Strength Rating of A+ (Superior) for the businesses since 1934. The company does business in only third year in a row from AM Best. one state, so premiums paid here, stay here to keep Wisconsin

AM Best is a global rating agency with a unique focus on the strong.