(The Center Square) – Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers said he intends to propose spending $80 million on farms, farm families, processors and producers in his upcoming biennial budget proposal, scheduled to be announced Feb. 18.
The proposed spending includes $15 million for the Purchase of Agricultural Conservation Easements program, created in 2009 to help farm owners and communities keep farmland for agricultural use.
The proposal also includes $1.5 million to launch a Dairy Agriculture Resilience Investment Now Grant for on-farm projects that improve resilience and efficiency of farm operations including new IT infrastructure, milking equipment or milk processing equipment.
“Wisconsin’s agricultural industries are not only vital to our state’s economic success, they are part of our DNA as Wisconsinites and our culture and heritage,” Evers said. “We’re going to keep working to support this vital industry and the farm families who make it all possible.”
The plan would spend $30 million on a Food Security Initiative that assists food banks with acquiring food from local farmers and producers.
A proposed $10 million would be spent on a Soil and Water Resource Management program to fund county soil and water conservation staff and landowner conservation projects related to soil and water.
Evers is proposing to increase spending on county conservation staff by $12.7 million to $30.5 million. The staffers work to reduce pollution and flooding, support producer-led watershed groups, help farmers develop nutrient management plans and administer the Farmland Preservation program to assist farmers in keeping their farms.
“Gov. Evers has been a leader in supporting the producers, processors, and rural communities in our state,” said Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection Secretary Romanski. “Today’s announcement demonstrates Gov. Evers’ continued investment in agriculture in Wisconsin and the future of the industry for years to come. Whether focused on dairy, conservation, farmer mental health, or supporting the connection between farm gate and dinner plate, Gov. Evers’ budget will continue to strategically invest and support Wisconsin’s place as an agricultural leader.”
The proposal also includes $1.6 million for a Meat Processor Grant Program and $1.2 million for a Dairy Processor Grant Program along with $1.6 million to continue funding for the Cover Crop Insurance Rebate Program and $1.2 million to increase funding for the Commercial Nitrogen Optimization Program.
A proposed $1 million would create a Transition to Grass program that will support farmers who are implementing livestock grass-based managed grazing systems and farmers and agribusinesses in the grass-fed livestock business to reduce runoff and protect waters.