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Wisconsin Farm Bureau supports Governor’s ag budget proposal
Wisconsin Farm Bureau is pleased with Governor Tony Evers’ plan to include 43-million dollars towards agriculture in the next state budget.
Government Relations Director Karen Gefvert says, “Anytime you have that kind of attention paid to your industry, it’s a good day.”
Gefvert tells Brownfield there were some highlights from the Governor’s proposal that have become priorities for their members. “The meat processing issue, conservation, water, specifically farmer-led watershed grant programs, applied research for agricultural practices, and then you know, it’s been a rough couple of years in the ag economy so farmer mental health and well being is at the top of the list for our members.”
Secretary Designee Randy Romanski from the state’s Department of Ag, Trade, and Consumer Protection tells Brownfield some of the Governor’s priorities were carried over from last year. “We’ll know a little bit more once the actual budget language comes out but the good news is some of these ideas have been under discussion for a while. We’ve had ongoing discussions with the Governor’s office, with groups representing farmers and the food supply chain, and legislators.”
Twenty million of the proposed 43-million would go towards food security programs, picking up where the Federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) program dollars left off.
Romanski says the Governor plans to introduce the formal state budget details February 16th.
