Rural Wisconsin and agriculture are vital to Wisconsin's economy. The state is among national leaders in the production of corn and other feed crops, vegetables, cattle, and other animals and animal products, including dairy products such as milk and cheese. The diversity of our agricultural production and agricultural-related businesses is one of our great strengths.

While farming as a way of life and livelihood is shrinking, Wisconsin has more than 76,000 farms scattered across its rural landscape. Those rural communities are home to families and children, and the local school is often the social center of the community. However, many rural communities struggle with economic, land use, and other policies that threaten their stability and their ability to educate their children. Yet, as a result of technological and scientific advances in agriculture, agribusiness, and other areas of work, education is increasingly important for today's youth.

The Advancing Rural Wisconsin Initiative seeks to improve education, commerce, and quality of life for rural residents so that Wisconsin's rural communities stay strong. The initiative has resulted in some important transportation aid and low revenue ceiling changes. It also promotes efforts for greater collaboration, focusing on helping rural schools and communities build on their strengths.

About 44 percent of the state's 860,000 PK-12 public school students attend schools in rural communities. We need to build on our tradition of collaboration and cooperation as we work to grow our economy in the 21st century.

As a state, we find many ways to celebrate our agricultural heritage throughout the summer. As you partake of state, county, or community fairs; farmer's markets; or a host of gatherings that reflect the bounty of the land and the hard work of our citizens, let's work together to keep rural Wisconsin strong.