Wisconsin senator optimistic Dairy Innovation Hub funding will remain in place

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Wisconsin senator optimistic Dairy Innovation Hub funding will remain in place

With tough state budget decisions ahead, a Wisconsin state senator is optimistic the new Dairy Innovation Hub will not be on the chopping block.

Republican Patrick Testin from Stevens Point says, “My hope is, is that wouldn’t even be a consideration. Myself and Senator Howard Marklein worked tirelessly to get that, get that into the budget, to get that funded, and while we may face some uncertainty going into the next biennium, rest assured this is going to be a priority.”

Testin tells Brownfield the nearly eight million dollars per year remains a good investment for Wisconsin. “This is going to serve as a huge avenue to find new markets, new products and to ensure that our dairy farmers who have been struggling in recent years have some outlook and avenues to pursue so hopefully, we can be on the rebound.”

Testin tells Brownfield caucuses are underway to determine new session leadership and committee assignments.  Testin will remain on the ag committee, and former Senate Ag Committee chairman Howard Marklein has moved up to co-chair the Joint Finance Committee, which Testin says puts a farm advocate at the head of the state’s budget-writing table.

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