AG DAY AT THE CAPITOL Virtual Event Keeps Farmers Connected O
n March 24, more than 250 farmers and agriculturists met virtually for Ag Day at the Capitol. This annual event is for Wisconsin farmers and agriculturists to learn more about state issues affecting agriculture and meet with their state legislators. Attendees listened Evers to prerecorded welcome messages from Governor Tony Evers and Secretary-designee of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection Randy Romanski. Attendees listened to issue briefings on Romanski increased funding for broadband expansion, providing farmer grant programs for nitrogen optimization projects, addressing meat processing infrastructure, transportation funding, well remediation, wildlife damage claims, truth in food labeling and a host of other bills including farmland preservation tax credit and the Wisconsin initiative for agricultural exports and dairy processor grants. Besides broadband, another focus area was support for agricultural nitrogen legislation. Attendees were asked to
encourage the legislature to support grants to farmers for the implementation of on-farm projects that are designed to reduce nitrate loading to groundwater, improvements to DNR’s Well Compensation Program and create Cover Crop Insurance Premium Rebate Program. During the event, Wisconsin Farm Bureau President Kevin Krentz addressed the virtual crowd and encouraged members to share their stories with legislators in their meetings and throughout the year. “It’s important that they hear directly from you and how an issue is impacting you, your farm and your community.” Rural Mutual Insurance Company and FS GROWMARK, Inc., were major sponsors of the event. Co-sponsors of the event, with Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation, included the Dairy Business Association, Professional Dairy Producers of Wisconsin, Wisconsin Cattlemen’s Association, Wisconsin Corn Growers Association, Wisconsin Hemp Alliance, Wisconsin Pork Association, Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association, Wisconsin Soybean Association and the Wisconsin State Cranberry Growers Association.
The following is an overview of the items discussed during the event’s briefing session. Attendees were encouraged to support these initiatives. Producer-Led Watershed Grant Program – 2021-23 Biennial Budget Bill
• This provision in the governor’s budget proposal increases funding to $2 million during the biennium. • The program supports local farmers and stakeholders working together to collaborate on local watershed issues, implementation of practices in order to focus on local solutions. • Last session, additional funding was approved by the legislature to address additional grant requests that exceeded the funding authority of the program. Funding requests have consistently exceeded the funding level authorized for this program at DATCP.
APRIL | MAY 2021
Dairy Processor Grants – 2021-23 Biennial Budget Bill
• The governor’s budget proposal includes a grant program administered at DATCP for small dairy processing plants. • The intent of the grants is to promote and enhance the growth of the dairy industry through research, planning and assistance. • This proposal would increase funding for this program by $1.2 million over the biennium for a total of $1.6 million. • Similar legislation was drafted in 2020 as Special Session AB 7 and unanimously passed the Assembly last session.
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