If you live in Waukesha County, you have likely interacted with Jim Renn. You may have heard his voice announcing the Little Britches contest at the county fair, saw him in a parade with the Hartland Fire Department or met him at a Farm Bureau meeting.
Sense of Duty to Agriculture
Jim farms 800 acres of corn, soybeans, wheat and hay in Waukesha County and runs a 60-head cow/calf farm with his family. Jim didn’t grow up on a farm but spent his youth working on them.
After earning his broadcasting degree from UW–River Falls, Jim followed his heart back to agriculture. He married into a farming family and proudly farms alongside his children as the fourth generation.
“I started milking cows and fell in love with the farmer’s daughter,” he said with a grin.
Despite farming full-time after college, Jim still used his broadcasting skills through volunteering. Jim’s voice could be heard announcing the Thursday night water ski shows or during special events at the county fair.
During this time, Jim was invited to attend his first Waukesha County Farm Bureau meeting. He soon found himself competing in the Young Farmer and Agriculturist Discussion Meet and was able to travel with his wife to Washington, D.C. for a YFA Fly-In.
A Call to Serve Beyond the Farm Gate
Jim’s call to serve came in a different way years later, when the local fire chief stopped by the farm to lend a hand.
After a few conversations, the chief asked if Jim would join the department. Today, Jim is a certified motorized pump and ladder truck operator with the Hartland Fire Department. He wears a pager day and night, always ready to drop what he’s doing when his community needs him.
Jim and his fellow firefighters attend community events like parades, football games and community festivals. They often raise an American flag from their 100-foot ladder truck as a community symbol for “Hartland strong”.
“We want people to see familiar faces so that when tragedy strikes, they aren’t met by strangers,” he said.
Answering Agriculture’s Call
Dealing with people on their worst days taught Jim that true leadership means staying calm and always showing up.
“I’ve never looked at being a leader as a sign of status. We’re all part of a team,” he said.
That philosophy guides not just his role at the fire department, but across his many volunteer commitments.
Jim serves as vice president of the Hartland Fire Department Association, helping organize fundraisers and coordinating efforts to sponsor families at Christmas.
He is a past president of the Waukesha County Fair board, World Beef Expo and the Wisconsin Hereford Association and has served as a county Farm Service Agency director.
“There’s not too much grass on my feet,” Jim laughed.
Just as he answers the pager when the department calls, Jim also answers when his agricultural community needs someone to step up.
Igniting Leadership in Farm Bureau
Jim is a dedicated Farm Bureau member and long-time volunteer. His Farm Bureau member journey began with the YFA Discussion Meet and he now represents District 1 on the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation Board.
Jim’s involvement started locally with Waukesha County Agriculture in the Classroom and later on a state steering committee guiding Agriculture in the Classroom’s efforts.
Ten years ago, Jim was appointed to a taskforce to determine if Wisconsin Farm Bureau should transition the Women’s Committee to the Promotion and Education program. When debate stalled during a taskforce meeting, Jim suggested, “Why don’t we just take a vote?”
The unanimous decision to move forward marked a turning point for Jim. He called it a defining moment in his Farm Bureau journey, showing him how a single action can lead to lasting change. He took action and led boldly, paving the way for a stronger, more inclusive committee that will celebrate its tenth anniversary in 2026.
Jim’s involvement with Foundation-supported programs like Agriculture in the Classroom, YFA and Promotion and Education led to his recruitment by Dave Daniels in 2024 to serve on the newly-formed Wisconsin Farm Bureau Foundation Board of Trustees. In his role, Jim works to expand fundraising and strengthen programs that support Farm Bureau’s mission.
“There are different ways to contribute to the Foundation,” said Jim. “I think it’s important to keep our pillar Farm Bureau programs alive.”
In addition to his Foundation work, Jim has served on the state Volunteers for Agriculture® and policy development committees and continues to serve as vice president of Waukesha County Farm Bureau.
Former WFBF President Dan Poulson often told Jim to “leave room” to serve on state board of directors. In 2024, the time was right, and Jim was elected to represent District 1.
Balancing the pager on his hip with the responsibilities of the state board, Jim manages both with the same steady sense of duty. Ultimately, it was a family decision for Jim to run for the board, and he is grateful for their support.
One of Jim’s proudest accomplishments is that his three children have pursued careers in agriculture. The family has a long history of involvement in Waukesha County Farm Bureau and Jim is glad to see his kids continue that legacy.
The Heart of Hartland
Jim’s Farm Bureau involvement and service on the Hartland Fire Department are fueled by a love for community. Jim believes in showing up when people need you and helping out in times of need.
His community of Hartland believes strongly that neighbors help neighbors and Jim embodies that spirit.
“Community means watching out for each other,” he said. “Somebody’s always got it worse than you, so check on your neighbors.”
Whether driving a tractor or a fire truck, Jim is guided by the same sense of duty: to show up, lend a hand and lead boldly by example.
When the call comes, Jim is the one you can count on to answer.
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