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On Saturday, May 21, over 600 people arrived at the Northern Wisconsin Fairgrounds in Chippewa Falls to spend a day listening to and sharing their progressive ideas at the first annual Fighting Bob Fest North event. Although there were several "headline" speakers such as: Former US Rep. Dave Obey (D), US Rep. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Wisconsin State Sen. Kathleen Vinehout (D) and John Nichols of The Nation; one would hardly know it by reading or watching the local media. The Chippewa Herald newspaper did cover the event, but none of the Eau Claire broadcast or newspaper organizations bothered.

The fest began at 9:00 and the rain started shortly after. Despite the weather, people kept coming to the fairgrounds to take part in the event that carried on into the early evening. The Fighting Bob Fest North was started as a supplement to the already popular event called Fighting Bob Fest held in the fall near Baraboo, WI for the last eight years. The Fighting Bob Fest is described as an annual Chautauqua featuring progressive speakers, networking opportunities, and entertainment. Fighting Bob Fest carries on the tradition of Robert “Fighting Bob” La Follette by providing a forum for progressive ideas on issues facing Wisconsin and the nation.

With names like Obey, Baldwin, Vinehout and Nichols on the speakers list, few would have guessed that a farmer from Marathon County would steal the show. Tony Schultz of Stoney Acres farm brought the crowd to it's feet several times during his speech. Schultz and his partner, Kat Becker, run Stoney Acres Farm near Athens, WI. A community-supported agriculture (CSA) operation, Stoney Acres is certified organic. Schultz and Becker grow a variety of vegetables and fruit on 12 acres alongside a pasture-fed beef and pig business they operate on 90 acres. Here's what Tony had to say.