No one tells your story better than you. March 26 at the State Capitol is the time to tell it.
Wisconsin legislators need to hear from veterinarians. They need to hear your stories about patient demand in rural areas, both large and companion animals. They need to hear firsthand about veterinarian and staff shortages in Wisconsin’s rural communities and the challenges in recruiting and retaining good people. They need to hear about the financial challenges of the veterinary medical profession. Most importantly, legislators need to know what they can do about it. And one thing legislators can do is support a comprehensive Veterinary Loan Repayment Pilot Program for the state of Wisconsin.
Why Your Voice at Ag Day Matters
Ag Day at the Capitol was built by the Ag Coalition specifically for its members to emphasize the important role each association plays in the agricultural community. Last summer, WVMA members participated in the “Engage with Ag” educational series for legislators and local leaders. This well-attended series featured several on-farm tours and events held across the state that included veterinarians talking about the need for more rural veterinarians.
Those discussions led to the creation of a WVMA member task force put in charge of outlining the key pieces of a Veterinary Loan Repayment Pilot Program. The program is now in the Ag Coalition’s 2025-27 Biennial Budget Priorities presented to the Wisconsin Legislature and the Governor, and the WVMA advocacy team is working with legislators on drafting a bill. Now, we need members to help tell their stories to their legislators during Ag Day at the Capitol.
What We Need from You
The WVMA is asking members to share their workforce shortage experiences with legislators. While food and fiber animal needs are a large portion of the discussion, companion animal needs in rural communities are also a big part of the conversation. WVMA members interested in attending will receive information and guidance throughout the 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. sessions. At 1:30 p.m., all Ag Day attendees will walk to the Capitol.
At the Capitol, WVMA members will attend prearranged visits with legislators (or staffers) from their individual Senate and Assembly districts. These visits will include primarily Wisconsin Farm Bureau attendees who live in the same district. The WVMA will provide our members with a handout to leave with legislators highlighting the purpose and benefits of the Veterinary Loan Repayment Pilot Program. Each of your two meetings will be an informal meet-and-greet that lasts about 15-30 minutes.
Sign Up to Be Heard
This is your chance to make sure your legislators hear about the impact veterinarians are making on the communities they represent. Use the link in this article to register with the Farm Bureau, then email wvma@dev.wvma.org to coordinate your legislative visits. Please include your home address and county in your email.
While I’m personally biased in thinking we have an amazing advocacy team ready to carry the message, I’m also biased in the quality and caliber of our individual members. The WVMA will always be the voice of veterinarians at the State Capitol, but on March 26 your voice should come from you, because no one tells your story better.