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Wisconsin Governor’s budget proposes ag funding

Wisconsin’s ag secretary says the Governor’s proposed state budget has several agriculture-related investments.

Randy Romanski says the budget proposed by Governor Tony Evers this week includes another one million dollars for the Producer-Led Watershed Program, matching the current level of funding. “Farmers are getting a lot of benefits out of it. He’s proposing making that million dollars a year investment in the Producer Led Watershed Grant Program permanent.”

Romanski says he believes the Governor’s funding requests fit well with what the state’s agriculture sector is asking for. “From talking to other groups, being at conferences, and seeing comments in the news, I see a lot of similar priorities for many of the ag organizations and farm groups in the state of Wisconsin.”

The Governor wants to expand funding to help increase agricultural export assistance, continue the Meat Talent Development Program, and it calls for making the four “project” meat inspector positions permanent.

Romanski says the proposed budget also creates a new Animal Disease Response and Prevention Unit through the Division of Animal Health with six new full-time employees and the funding to assist with emergency management and preparation for future animal health emergencies.

Romanski says he’s optimistic the Legislature will support the Governor’s proposed ag funding.