Kim Bremmer
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Kim Bremmer is a graduate of UW-Madison and was a dairy nutritionist for almost 15 years. She is the owner of Ag Inspirations where she has been advocating for farmers as a professional speaker since 2015, traveling across the country, as well as internationally. Kim is a vocal champion of agriculture everywhere she goes, from the grocery store to the airport. “Growing up in agriculture and spending my career working with farmers, I've had the great opportunity to experience farms of all shapes and sizes. I enjoy sharing modern ag perspectives from the people who are actually doing it.” In addition to being a professional speaker, Kim is a registered lobbyist in Wisconsin, President of Wisconsin Women for Agriculture, an affiliate of American Agri-Women, and a regular contributor on Rural Route Radio. She is a proud member of the American Dairy Coalition and serves on their Executive Advisory Council. Kim is also on the board of directors for her county Farm Bureau and loves being a quiz bowl coach for her Clark County Junior Holstein Association youth.
Laurie Fischer
Lead Policy Consultant
Laurie Fischer, well known in Madison, throughout Wisconsin, and in Washington, D.C. for her tenacious efforts on behalf of Wisconsin’s dairy farmers, has begun a new national progressive dairy farmer and allied industry association. Currently representing over 30,000 dairy farmers from across the United States, Laurie is the Founder and CEO of the American Dairy Coalition (ADC). She formerly served as the Executive Director of the Wisconsin Dairy Business Association (DBA). Laurie has broad and in-depth knowledge of policy and the political process along with extensive personal relationships built up over many years with key political leaders in both the State and Federal capitols.
David Crass
Legal Counsel
David Crass’s practice sits squarely at the intersection of the food-water-energy nexus. His work in the areas of environmental, regulatory, agricultural production, manufacturing and distribution, and renewable energy projects gives him the depth of experience necessary to counsel clients who will be feeding and powering a projected global population of nine billion people by 2050—at a time when resource scarcity and consumer confidence require an ongoing commitment to stewardship and sustainability.
Jen Keuning
Engineering and Environmental Consultant
Jen Keuning is a Senior Project Manager and Associate at GHD Services Inc. Located in Green Bay, WI, Jen’s professional practice encompasses all aspects of regulatory and environmental compliance related to farms and agricultural facilities and the management/coordination of engineering design projects for green field developments and expansions of existing facilities. Her areas of expertise include sizing and design of waste storage facilities, waste transfer systems, feed storage and runoff controls, and nutrient management. Jen is knowledgeable on local, state and national regulations pertaining to the agriculture industry and animal feeding operations. She provides technical assistance to agriculture producers navigating the permitting process and has prepared numerous state and local permit applications for animal feeding operation. Jen has extensive experience and training in areas related to dairy production and management including biosecurity and herd health, milk quality, dairy nutrition and dairy facilities planning.
Lane Ruhland
Director of Advocacy
Lane Ruhland is an attorney and government relations specialist who advises nonprofits and political committees on matters of legislation, navigating complex regulation, grassroots advocacy, and compliance with campaign finance law.
Ruhland most recently served as special counsel at a large law firm where she represented high profile clients like the Wisconsin Legislature and national campaigns in high stakes litigation.
Ruhland has served as a lobbyist for Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce and Special Counsel and Deputy Chief of Staff for Attorney General Brad Schimel, a post she was promoted to after being DOJ’s Director of Government Affairs.
Ruhland was born and raised in San Antonio, Texas, and she earned her B.A. and law degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Kristine Brunson
Executive assistant
In her role on the Venture Dairy Cooperative team, Kristine assists leadership in administrative tasks, milk sample verification, and in written communications as needed. She is passionate about ensuring the voices of Wisconsin farmers are heard and has spent the past 5 years also working as the Director of Public Relations for the American Dairy Coalition- a national trade association representing farmers on Capitol Hill. Prior to her work in the dairy industry, Kristine worked in finance for 7 years and has a Bachelor's Degree in History from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay. Kristine moved frequently as a child, spending time in Minnesota, Central Wisconsin and in Kentucky raising Black Angus cattle with her family. Today, a mother of 2, she has made her home in Hobart, Wisconsin.