State Joint Finance Committee Approves DATCP Budget

Tuesday, June 8th, 2021 -- 9:00 AM

(Wisconsin Ag Connection) The Wisconsin State Budget continues to be the main focus at the State Capitol these days.

According to the Wisconsin Ag Connection, last week, the Joint Finance Committee omnibus motion provided $30 million less for programs at the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture than what Gov. Tony Evers had proposed in his original budget plan.

According to an assessment by the Madison-based Cooperative Network, the largest allocation would be $20 million over the biennium to help food banks purchase products from Wisconsin producers.

Other provisions include $313,700 and one position for the DATCP lab, which performs functions such as food testing and ensuring hemp produced by Wisconsin producers meet federal standards. The Evers' budget had called for $940,000 and three positions.

Another $400,000 would go toward the meat processor grant program. That's $1.6 billion less than the governor wanted for the next two years. And $200,000 would be set aside as one-time funds for farmer mental health grants, which covers the costs of vouchers for services.

The JFC continues to work through the budget and typically concludes its work around the middle of the summer.

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