Wisconsin Ag Connection - Sen. Lassa Disappointed in DATCP Program Cuts

Wisconsin Ag News Headlines

Sen. Lassa Disappointed in DATCP Program Cuts
Wisconsin Ag Connection - 09/29/2016

One of the original sponsors of the state's Buy Local, Buy Wisconsin and Farm to School programs says it is a shame that the Department of Agriculture is cutting funding for the initiatives. Sen. Julie Lassa said in an editorial this week that the programs help school children and all Wisconsinites get access to fresher and healthier food, while creating new markets for farmers and producers.

"Both of these programs have been remarkably effective," Lassa said. "Since Buy Local, Buy Wisconsin started in 2008, the state's investment of $1.2 million has helped 2,627 producers and 2,765 Wisconsin markets, generating more than $8.4 million in new food sales and nearly $4 million in investments by producers, manufacturers and distributors."

She adds that the training and technical assistance provided by the Farm to School program supported $9.1 million in local food sales to more than 1,400 Wisconsin schools.

During the DATCP's September board meeting, State Agriculture Secretary Ben Brancel announced that the agency wants to wait and see how the state budget will be handled by the Legislature next year before deciding if the programs can be funded in the future. The Dairy 30X20 Grant Program, which strives to help the industry achieve an annual milk production of 30 billion pounds by the year 2020, has also been halted.

"For a very small investment, these programs have had a powerful impact on growing Wisconsin's farm-to-table agricultural economy, helping us all eat better and creating new opportunities for farmers and our food industry," Lassa penned in her letter. "This is just one more area in which sound policies that benefit small businesses and school kids must be sacrificed to pay for wasteful tax giveaways that benefit mainly millionaires and have done nothing to improve our state's economy."

The Stevens Point Democrat says she hopes farmers, consumers and schools will tell their legislators to restore the programs in the 2017 state budget.

Other Wisconsin Headlines