Wyoming Farm Bureau: Wolf policy change supports Governor’s agreement – Nov. 11, 2011
CHEYENNE, NOV. 11, 2011—“Every year there is not a resolution to wolf management, the number of wolves continue to increase,” Wyoming Governor Matt Mead told Wyoming Farm Bureau members at their annual meeting today. “I have been working since I began in this office to try and find a resolution.”
“As you all know I have agreed with the Department of Interior and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service on a management plan,” Mead continued. “100 wolves is at least 1/3 the population that we have now. There is no guarantee that this will work, but I feel this plan has the best chance to happen.”
Governor Mead spoke at the 92nd annual meeting of the Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation. The main purpose of the meeting is to develop policy to guide the organization.
“Governor, we thank you for your work and we want you to know that this morning county voting delegates voted to approve a change to Wyoming Farm Bureau policy to support state management of wolves in accordance with the agreement you reached with the federal government,” WyFB President Perry Livingston said.
“Thank you for your support,” Governor Mead said. “It means a lot to have your support and feedback.”
In his address, Governor Mead touted the importance of agriculture to Wyoming.
“Wyoming is fortunate to have agriculture,” Governor Mead said. “We often talk about the importance of agriculture in terms of jobs and the billion dollar impact on our economy, but without agriculture we wouldn’t have some of the top industries we have.”
“Our tourism and energy industries are possible because of what agriculture provides,” He continued.
In a fitting Veterans Day tribute to our Veterans, Governor Mead emphasized how important it is that we work hard for our state. “Veterans have given us so much in terms of freedom and liberty and one of the ways we can show our respect to them is that we do our best that we can for our state and our country.”
The Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation is the state’s largest general agriculture organization. Policy development is grassroots beginning at the local level where members discuss issues impacting them. Resolutions that pass locally proceed to the district and then the state. Those resolutions with national impact proceed to the national convention. The primary goals of the organization are to protect private property rights and help members achieve an equitable return on their investment. On the web, www.wyfb.org.