23-1504

LRB-1504/P4

MCP:cdc&amn

2023 - 2024 LEGISLATURE

DOA:......Hutter, BB0350 - Agricultural assistance programs

For 2023-2025 Budget -- Not Ready For Introduction

An Act ...; relating to: the budget.

Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau

Agriculture

New appropriation for existing and new grant and loan programs

This bill combines appropriations for several existing and new DATCP grant and loan programs. Under the bill, the following programs are all funded from the same GPR appropriation: the existing meat processing facility grant program, dairy processing plant grant program, dairy producer loan and grant program, and Buy Local grant program; and the new food security and Wisconsin products grant program, Farm to Fork grant program, value-added agricultural products grant program, and the farm business consultant grant program, all of which are newly created under the bill. The bill also allows DATCP to use funds from this GPR appropriation for the Something Special from Wisconsin program, in addition to the program's current funding from program fees.

Food security and Wisconsin products grant program

This bill allows DATCP to provide grants to food banks, food pantries, and other nonprofit organizations to purchase Wisconsin food products.

Farm to Fork program

The bill creates a farm to fork program, similar to the existing farm to school program, to connect entities, other than school districts, that have cafeterias to nearby farms to provide locally produced foods in meals and snacks, to help the public develop healthy eating habits, to provide nutritional and agricultural education, and to improve farmers' incomes and direct access to markets. Under the bill, DATCP may provide grants to entities for these purposes.

Value-added agricultural practices

The bill allows DATCP to provide education and technical assistance related to producing value-added agricultural products. Under the bill, DATCP may provide education and assistance related to organic farming practices; collaborate with organic producers, industry participants, and local organizations that coordinate organic farming; and stimulate interest and investment in organic production. The bill also allows DATCP to provide grants to organic producers, industry participants, and local organizations, which may be used to provide education and technical assistance related to organic farming, to help create organic farming plans, and to assist farmers in transitioning to organic farming. The bill also authorizes DATCP to provide grants to entities to provide education and training to farmers about best practices related to grazing. DATCP is also authorized under the bill to help farmers market value-added agricultural products.

Grants for hiring farm business consultants

The bill authorizes DATCP to provide grants to county agriculture agents of the University of Wisconsin-Extension to help farm operators hire business consultants and attorneys to examine their farm business plans and help them create farm succession plans.

For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill.

The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows:

Section 1. 20.115 (4) (am) of the statutes is repealed.

****Note: This Section involves a change in an appropriation that must be reflected in the revised schedule in s. 20.005, stats.

Section 2. 20.115 (4) (d) of the statutes is repealed.

****Note: This Section involves a change in an appropriation that must be reflected in the revised schedule in s. 20.005, stats.

Section 3. 20.115 (4) (dm) of the statutes is repealed.

****Note: This Section involves a change in an appropriation that must be reflected in the revised schedule in s. 20.005, stats.

Section 4. 20.115 (4) (f) of the statutes is amended to read:

20.115 (4) (f) Grants for meat processing facilities Agricultural assistance programs. Biennially, the amounts in the schedule to provide grants for meat processing facilities and loans under s. ss. 93.40 (1) (g), 93.44, 93.48, 93.60, 93.62, 93.65, 93.66, and 93.68.

****Note: This Section involves a change in an appropriation that must be reflected in the revised schedule in s. 20.005, stats.

Section 5. 93.40 (1) (g) of the statutes is amended to read:

93.40 (1) (g) Promote the growth of the dairy industry through research, planning, and assistance, including grants and loans to dairy producers and grants to persons operating processing plants, as defined under s. 97.20 (1) (h), from the appropriation under s. 20.115 (4) (f).

Section 6. 93.48 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:

93.48 (1) The department may award grants from the appropriation under s. 20.115 (4) (am) (f) to individuals or organizations to fund projects that are designed to increase the sale of agricultural products grown in this state that are purchased in close proximity to where they are produced. The department may not award a grant under this section unless the applicant contributes matching funds equal to at least 50 percent of the costs of the project. The department shall promulgate rules for the program under this section.

Section 7 . 93.60 of the statutes is created to read:

93.60 Food security and Wisconsin products grant program. The department may award grants from the appropriation under s. 20.115 (4) (f) to nonprofit food banks, nonprofit food pantries, and other nonprofit organizations that provide food assistance for the purpose of purchasing food products that are made or grown in this state.

Section 8. 93.62 of the statutes is created to read:

93.62 Farm to fork program. (1) Definition. In this section, “ farm to fork program” means a program to connect entities that are not school districts and that have cafeterias to nearby farms to provide locally produced fresh fruits and vegetables, dairy products, and other nutritious, locally produced foods in meals and snacks; to help the public develop healthy eating habits; to provide nutritional and agricultural education; and to improve farmers' incomes and direct access to markets.

(2) Grants. (a) The department may award grants from the appropriation under s. 20.115 (4) (f) to businesses, universities, hospitals, and other entities that are not school districts and that have cafeterias for the creation and expansion of farm to fork programs. The department shall give preference to proposals that are innovative or that provide models that other entities can adopt.

(b) In awarding grants under this section, the department shall promote agricultural development and farm profitability by supporting the development and adoption of practices and agribusiness opportunities that involve the production of value-added agricultural products, as defined under s. 93.65 (1).

1. Create, expand, diversify, or promote production, processing, marketing, and distribution of food produced in this state for sale to entities in this state other than school districts.

2. Create, expand, or renovate facilities, including purchases of equipment for the facilities, that would ensure the use of food produced in this state in locations in this state other than schools.

3. Provide, expand, or promote training for food service personnel, farmers, and distributors.

4. Provide, expand, or promote nutritional and agricultural education.

(d) The department shall consult with interested persons to establish grant priorities for each fiscal year.

(3) Reports. At least annually, the department shall report to the legislature under s. 13.172 (2) and to the secretary on the needs and opportunities for farm to fork programs.

(4) Rules. The department may promulgate rules to administer this section.

Section 9. 93.65 of the statutes is created to read:

93.65 Value-added agricultural practices. (1) Definition. In this section, “value-added agricultural product” means a farm product that satisfies any of the following:

(a) The product has undergone a change in physical state.

(b) The product is produced in a manner that enhances its value.

(d) The product is a source of farm-based or ranch-based renewable energy.

(e) The product is aggregated and marketed as a locally produced farm product.

(2) Value-added products. The department may provide education and technical assistance related to promoting and implementing agricultural practices that produce value-added agricultural products, including by doing all of the following:

(a) Assistance for organic farming practices. Providing education and technical assistance related to organic farming practices, including business and market development assistance; collaborating with organic producers, industry participants, and local organizations that coordinate organic farming; and stimulating interest and investment in organic production. The department may award grants from the appropriation under s. 20.115 (4) (f) to organic producers, industry participants, and local organizations that coordinate organic farming. The department may award a grant to an organic producer, industry participant, or local organization under this paragraph for any of the following purposes:

1. Providing education and technical assistance related to implementing organic farming practices.

2. Helping to create organic farming plans.

3. Assisting farmers to transition to organic farming.

(b) Grazing grants. Awarding grants from the appropriation under s. 20.115 (4) (f) to appropriate entities to provide education and training to farmers about best practices related to grazing.

(c) Promotion. Helping producers market value-added agricultural products, including products produced through the use of a practice described in s. 93.67.

(3) Rules. The department may promulgate rules to administer this section.

Section 10. 93.66 of the statutes is created to read:

93.66 Grants for hiring farm business consultants. The department may award grants from the appropriation under s. 20.115 (4) (f) to county agriculture agents of the University of Wisconsin-Extension to help farm operators hire business consultants and attorneys to examine their farm business plans and create a farm succession plan. The department may promulgate rules to administer this section.

(End)