The Badger Bounceback Live Session on Economic Recovery & Opportunity will occur on Thurs., March 18, 2021, at  6 p.m. Wisconsinites are invited to register to attend here and to learn more about the governor’s proposals on economic recovery and opportunity here. The live session will also be live streamed and available to watch any time on the governor’s YouTube channel here

View DBA's budget priorities here.

If you plan on participating, please contact Chad Zuleger at czuleger@dairyforward.com for support.

Governor’s budget proposal – $3 million agriculture/dairy-related

Farming local / exports

• Creating and funding the Wisconsin Initiative for Agricultural Exports. ($2 million)
• Increasing funding for the Dairy Processor Grant Program by $1.2 million over the biennium.
• Investing $20 million to help connect Wisconsin food banks and pantries with Wisconsin producers.
• Funding the Farm-to-School Grant Program. ($400,000 over biennium)
• Creating and Funding the Farm-to-Fork to build connections between farmers and non-school entities looking to purchase local food for their cafeterias. ($552,000 over biennium)
• Increasing the Buy Local, Buy Wisconsin program. ($350,000 over biennium)
• Providing additional funding for Something Special from Wisconsin marketing program. ($400,000 over biennium)
• Creating and funding a Small Farm Diversity Grant program (support producers adding new products, increasing production of an ag product where market opportunities exist, or starting a new farming operation.) ($250,000 over the biennium).

Agricultural Innovation & Farmer-Led Conservation

• Creating and funding a Value-Added Agricultural Grant Program (Provide educational and technical assistance related to producing value-added agricultural products). ($958,000 over biennium)
• Increasing funding for the Producer-Led Watershed Grant Program. (Additional $500,000 over biennium)
• Creating and funding Water Stewardship Grants. ($250,000 over biennium)
• Creating and funding a Conservation Grant Program (supporting farmers looking to transition to more environmentally sustainable agricultural practices). ($640,000 over biennium)
• Providing funding to support additional UW-Extension specialists and county agents. (Additional $2 million over biennium)
• Providing additional funding to counties in order to support three conservation staff per county. (Additional $7.3 million over biennium).

Farmer Mental Health & Well being

• Creating a new Regional Farmer Mental Health Program to increase access to mental health support services, coordinate local and regional peer support programs, and provide counseling and assistance. ($1.1 million)
• Providing ongoing funding to the Farmer Mental Health Assistance Program which provide 24/7 counseling, tele-counseling session, counseling vouchers, and building farmer peer-support networks. ($200,000 over biennium).