Baldwin and Crowley Toured Kewaunee County Farm
Wisconsin officials visited a local farm to discuss the growing financial pressures facing agricultural producers.
Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Agriculture
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Should the federal government increase support for farmers to help manage rising operational costs?
Democratic gubernatorial candidate David Crowley and U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin toured Reimer Farms in Kewaunee County. The visit highlighted the ongoing financial struggles of farmers dealing with high operational costs.
Why it matters
Farmers are navigating a period of economic instability driven by surging input costs and stagnant market prices. This visit brings attention to the financial viability of local agriculture as candidates prepare for the upcoming election.
Farmers face input costs that have risen 5 to 10 fold, while current crop prices are at levels not seen since 20 years ago. These expenses include essential items like diesel fuel and fertilizer.
The players
David Crowley
David Crowley is a Democratic candidate for the Wisconsin gubernatorial election.
Tammy Baldwin
Tammy Baldwin currently serves as a U.S. Senator representing Wisconsin.
Clark Reimer
Clark Reimer is the proprietor of Reimer Farms located in Kewaunee County.
Tom Tiffany
Tom Tiffany is a political candidate participating in the November election.
The details
Reimer Farms owner Clark Reimer joined the officials to discuss how farmers rely on borrowing to manage the widening gap between income and production expenses. Producers are now forced to consider reducing their fertilizer usage for the upcoming crop year.
Timeline
Clark Reimer began his farming career in 1991.
Economic conditions were particularly difficult for farms between 2018 and 2020.
The Wisconsin gubernatorial election is scheduled for November 2026.
Market Landscape
This visit underscores the pressure on the agricultural sector as it seeks stability from the U.S. federal farm bill to address current economic disparities. The sector remains in a competitive race to balance rising global production costs against domestic price stagnation.
The rising costs of production for essential commodities like diesel and fertilizer may eventually influence food prices for local consumers. These economic pressures are shaping the policy priorities of candidates heading into the November 2026 elections.
The takeaway
The sustained increase in farm input costs represents a long-term challenge that has persisted for decades. Farmers continue to look for legislative solutions to manage the gap between stagnant crop revenues and volatile operational expenses.
What happens next
Legislators plan to attempt to pass a farm bill, while the Wisconsin gubernatorial election is set to take place in November 2026.
Further reading
Learn more about the state of the industry by visiting the Agriculture section.
Live Poll
Should the federal government increase support for farmers to help manage rising operational costs?
