CHIPPEWA FALLS, Wis. – Wisconsin Farmers Union (WFU) welcomed more than 100 members and supporters to Kamp Kenwood on July 16 to celebrate the camp’s 75th anniversary, followed by more than 100 attendees at the organization’s annual Summer Conference on July 17, where members explored key issues facing agriculture and prepared to advocate for family farmers during a pivotal year for rural Wisconsin.

The Summer Conference featured educational workshops on communications, water quality, membership development, and hosting local candidate townhalls ahead of the 2026 elections. Attendees also heard a keynote address from Land Rich, Cash Poor author Brian Reisinger, whose work explores the challenges facing family farms and rural America. The day concluded with WFU’s annual pie contest, a longtime Summer Conference tradition that showcased members’ baking talents and capped off the conference with a little friendly competition.

Throughout the conference, WFU leaders reflected on the issues shaping agriculture today, including trade policy, dairy policy reform, immigration, conservation, healthcare, and strengthening rural communities.

“At times like these, it’s easy to focus on everything that’s going wrong,” said Wisconsin Farmers Union President Darin Von Ruden. “But when I look around our organization, I see people who continue showing up, helping their neighbors, and believing family farming is worth fighting for. That’s what Wisconsin Farmers Union has always been about—building something better together.”

The anniversary celebration honored Kamp Kenwood’s legacy as the longtime home of Wisconsin Farmers Union educational programming, bringing together generations of members to celebrate 75 years of leadership development, cooperation, and community. The following day, the Summer Conference continued that tradition by equipping members with the knowledge and tools to advocate for family farms and rural communities.

“For 75 years, Kamp Kenwood has been more than a place. It’s been where generations of members have learned to lead, built lifelong friendships, and strengthened their commitment to family farming and rural communities,” said WFU Executive Director Danielle Endvick. “Every generation of Farmers Union has faced its own challenges. These happen to be ours, and this conference was a reminder that when members come together, we have the ability to meet them.”

During his annual State of the Farmers Union address, Von Ruden highlighted the organization’s work over the past year, including advocacy on more than 40 bills at the Wisconsin Capitol, the launch of WFU’s Immigration Resource Hub, continued efforts to advance dairy policy reform, expansion of farmer-led conservation initiatives, continued investment in local food projects, and the launch of Wisconsin Futures, a statewide storytelling initiative highlighting issues affecting rural communities. He also encouraged members to continue engaging in grassroots advocacy as attention turns toward the Farm Bill, dairy reform, and the newly introduced Milk from Family Dairies Act.

The conference concluded with a call for members to continue building local leadership through chapter activities, community engagement, and grassroots advocacy leading into Wisconsin Farmers Union’s 96th State Convention, scheduled for Dec. 11–13 in Appleton.

Wisconsin Farmers Union (WFU), a member-driven organization, is committed to enhancing the quality of life for family farmers, rural communities, and all people through educational opportunities, cooperative endeavors, and civic engagement. Learn more at wisconsinfarmersunion.com