Gov. Tony Evers announced Wednesday that he’s proposing to spend $80 million through the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) in his 2025-27 state budget to support farmers and Wisconsin’s agricultural industry. 

The proposal includes increases in current funding as well as new  programs to increase farm efficiency, connect producers with markets and support conservation efforts. 

“Our farmers, farm families, and producers have been the backbone of our state for generations,” Evers said in a statement. “Whether it’s been supporting the future research and workforce this industry needs to keep up with the demands of the 21st Century, ensuring rural communities have good roads, broadband, and water infrastructure to be successful, or fighting to make sure farmers have the support and mental health resources they need, I’m proud of our work to support Wisconsin farmers and farm families over the past six years. Our next state budget will continue to build upon our efforts to invest in our farmers, producers, and agricultural industries.”

Evers’ proposal includes spending $15 million to relaunch the Purchase of Agricultural Conservation Easements (PACE) Program, initially created in 2009, to help communities keep agricultural land in the hands of working farms. 

After a study committee worked before this year’s legislative session on addressing crop damage caused by sandhill cranes — a problem estimated to damage more than $1 million of Wisconsin corn each year — Evers proposed spending $3.7 million to reimburse farmers for up to 50% of the cost of purchasing seed treatment that discourages birds from eating the seeds. 

The budget proposal also includes a $30 million appropriation for a program that helps local food banks acquire food from local producers and another $28 million for conservation programs, including $12.7 million for staff in county conservation offices, $10 million for the Soil and Water Resource Management program and an increase of $1 million for the the Producer-Led Watershed Protection Grant Program. 

Also on Wednesday, Evers and DATCP Secretary Randy Romanski announced $1 million in grant awards through the producer-led watershed protection program, which helps farmers find ways they can increase water quality. 

“The producer-led watershed protection grant program is just one of the tools in the toolbox for Wisconsin producers,” Romanski said. “Farmers are stewards of the land and water and understand the importance of innovation on the farm. It is great to see this program and farmer-led groups being supported, and I applaud the Governor’s leadership on increasing the funding for this valuable program.”

Source - https://wisconsinexaminer.com