MADISON--Wisconsin
agriculture will benefit under the biennial budget signed by
Governor Scott Walker on Sunday, June 26. The budget for
2011-2013 will take effect on July 1.
Although there
were tough decisions to be made, I’m grateful that Governor
Walker and our lawmakers continue to support agriculture in
Wisconsin which is a $59 billion industry and accounts for
nearly 354,000 jobs or 10 percent of total employment. Under
the budget, we will continue to protect consumers and ensure
fair business practices, protect and preserve our land and water
resources, provide a safe and wholesome food supply, and
maintain human, animal and plant health to foster a vibrant
agriculture that will continue to grow economically and benefit
all.
Meat Processing
and Inspection
Wisconsin has the largest number of state-inspected meat
plants in the country. The budget allows our department to hire
10 additional meat inspectors. Five positions will be funded by
state tax dollars with the remaining to be funded by USDA.
These positions will meet the need for public health and safety
under new federal inspection requirements for state inspected
meat processors. Wisconsin can fully implement the new
interstate meat shipment program that provides an opportunity
for our meat industry to grow and expand their market sales
across state lines.
Dairy Plants
and Dairy Farms
The Dairy 2020 program is transferred from the Department of
Commerce to DATCP, bringing $200,000 in grant funds to
complement existing business development programs at DATCP to
create a one-stop shop for dairy processors and farmers to get
started, modernize or expand.
The budget also
maintains investment tax credits for dairy manufacturers, food
processing plants, and food warehouses as well as meat
processing plants. DATCP will certify the eligibility of the
businesses participating in this program. In total, $2.8
million in credits is available per year. This has the
potential to leverage up to $28 million in private investment.
The combination of the Dairy 2020 and the investment tax credits
should provide an economic boost to our processing industry.
Conservation
Even in tight times, the governor and legislature continue
to recognize the value of conservation. The budget retains
nearly $18 million annually for grants to be provided to farmers
and county conservation staff. This is key as county staff are
on the front-line of conservation work in Wisconsin. They are
literally the boots on the ground assisting farmers to install
conservation practices and protect the land and water resources
throughout the state.
Critical
components of the state’s farmland preservation program are also
maintained in the budget. Counties are required to update their
farmland preservation plans and grant money is available to
assist them with their plan updates. The budget also provides
$27 million in farmland preservation tax credits to Wisconsin
farmers when they meet their conservation responsibilities.
The budget also
provides funding to the applicants who were selected in 2010
under the Purchase of Agriculture Conservation Easement
program.
Governor Walker
and our lawmakers passed a budget that lays the foundation for a
strong future for Wisconsin. The diversity of Wisconsin’s
agriculture from farm size, production methods and products
produced will continue to be part of the success and growth of
our state’s economy.
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