Op-Ed by Secretary Ben Brancel, Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection
Contact: Jane Larson, 608/224-5005
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.
