News

The Wisconsin budget and agriculture

The Wisconsin state budget is on its way to Governor Walker’s desk: Wisconsin Ag Secretary Ben Brancel says the package has pretty basic funding for his department.  There are a few changes including a new farmer’s initiative where a group of farmers in a watershed can apply to get up to $250,000 from county conservation funds for a water quality project.  The plan is based upon the success of the existing Yahara Pride and Hay River projects.

Another change consolidates food inspection activities.  Currently restaurants are inspected by Health Services while DATCP covers grocery stores, gas stations, delis and processing plants.  Brancel says the food business has evolved to where restaurants are processing the products they sell and grocery stores are serving food so the inspection will be consolidated at DATCP.

The Department also gets a veterinary inspection board from Safety and Professional Services, Brancel says they are still analyzing what is involved in that.

One of the big issues while the budget was being debated was the $250 million cut in funding for the University of Wisconsin System.  Of particular concern for agriculture was how the cuts would affect U.W. Extension.  Brancel says it is up to the University as to how the cuts will be distributed so he can’t really say how this will play out.  The Secretary says Extension uses money wisely and the work they do is valued by the local communities but they need to take a serious look at “how many aspects of life they get involved in.”  He notes there have been times in the past when the Legislature comes up with an idea or concept and Extension is asked or volunteers to do it.  “I don’t think that’s possible anymore,” says Brancel, “I think they have to really think through what their focus is going to be.”

Overall, Brancel says they are still analyzing the budget and waiting to see what the Governor does with his veto pen.

Brancel talks about the budget: