Amendment SSA1-AB68

AB68-SSA1,779,10 93.525 Meat processing tuition grants. (1) From the appropriation under s. 20.115 (3) (f), the department shall provide grants to universities, colleges, and technical colleges located in this state that have programs in meat processing to reimburse tuition costs of students enrolled in a meat processing program.

AB68-SSA1,779,13 (2) Each tuition reimbursement made with a grant received under this section shall reimburse a student for not more than 80 percent of the first $9,375 of the tuition cost for enrolling in a meat processing program.

AB68-SSA1,1593 Section 1593. 93.53 of the statutes is created to read:

AB68-SSA1,779,21 93.53 Food waste reduction grants. (1) The department shall provide grants for food waste reduction pilot projects that have an objective of preventing food waste, redirecting surplus food to hunger relief organizations, and composting food waste. In awarding grants under this section, the department shall give preference to proposals that serve census tracts for which the median household income is below the statewide median household income and in which no grocery store is located.

AB68-SSA1,779,23 (2) The department shall promulgate rules for the administration of this section.

AB68-SSA1,1594 Section 1594 . 93.60 of the statutes is created to read:

AB68-SSA1,780,5 93.60 Food security and Wisconsin products grant program. (1) Grants. The department may award grants from the appropriation under s. 20.115 (4) (f) to nonprofit food banks, nonprofit food pantries, and other nonprofit organizations that provide food assistance for the purpose of purchasing food products that are made or grown in this state.

AB68-SSA1,780,6 (2) Rules. The department may promulgate rules to administer this section.

AB68-SSA1,1595 Section 1595. 93.61 (3) (a) 1. of the statutes is created to read:

AB68-SSA1,780,10 93.61 (3) (a) 1. Proposals from school districts in which a high percentage of pupils satisfy the income eligibility criteria under 42 USC 1758 (b) (1) for a free or reduced-price meal.

AB68-SSA1,1596 Section 1596. 93.62 of the statutes is created to read:

AB68-SSA1,780,18 93.62 Farm to fork program. (1) Definition. In this section, “farm to fork program” means a program to connect entities that are not school districts and that have cafeterias to nearby farms to provide locally produced fresh fruits and vegetables, dairy products, and other nutritious, locally produced foods in meals and snacks; to help the public develop healthy eating habits; to provide nutritional and agricultural education; and to improve farmers' incomes and direct access to markets.

AB68-SSA1,780,23 (2) Grants. (a) The department may award grants from the appropriation under s. 20.115 (4) (f) to businesses, universities, hospitals, and other entities that are not school districts and that have cafeterias for the creation and expansion of farm to fork programs. The department shall give preference to proposals that are innovative or that provide models that other entities can adopt.

AB68-SSA1,781,2 (b) In awarding grants under this section, the department shall promote agricultural development and farm profitability by supporting the development and adoption of practices and agribusiness opportunities that involve the production of value-added agricultural products, as defined under s. 93.65 (1).

AB68-SSA1,781,4 (c) The department may award grants under this subsection for projects that do any of the following:

AB68-SSA1,781,7 1. Create, expand, diversify, or promote production, processing, marketing, and distribution of food produced in this state for sale to entities in this state other than school districts.

AB68-SSA1,781,10 2. Create, expand, or renovate facilities, including purchases of equipment for the facilities, that would ensure the use of food produced in this state in locations in this state other than schools.

AB68-SSA1,781,12 3. Provide, expand, or promote training for food service personnel, farmers, and distributors.

AB68-SSA1,781,13 4. Provide, expand, or promote nutritional and agricultural education.

AB68-SSA1,781,15 (d) The department shall consult with interested persons to establish grant priorities for each fiscal year.

AB68-SSA1,781,18 (3) Reports. At least annually, the department shall report to the legislature under s. 13.172 (2) and to the secretary on the needs and opportunities for farm to fork programs.

AB68-SSA1,781,19 (4) Rules. The department may promulgate rules to administer this section.

AB68-SSA1,1597 Section 1597. 93.64 of the statutes is created to read:

AB68-SSA1,782,2 93.64 Small farm diversity grant program. (1) Grants. The department may award grants from the appropriation under s. 20.115 (4) (f) to agricultural producers that have been in operation for at least one year and that, in the year prior to applying for a grant, earned less than $350,000 in gross cash farm income. Grants awarded under this section shall be in an amount no less than $5,000 and no more than $50,000. The recipient of a grant under this section shall provide matching funds of 30 percent of the amount of the grant.

AB68-SSA1,782,4 (2) Eligible costs. Grants awarded under this section may be used to pay for any of the following:

AB68-SSA1,782,7 (a) Costs to develop a new agricultural product or increase production of an agricultural product where market opportunities exist, including business planning, feasibility research, engineering, and architectural designs.

AB68-SSA1,782,8 (b) Start-up costs for new agricultural production operations.

AB68-SSA1,782,10 (c) Research and development of uses for food, feed, and fiber products that are innovative and add value to agricultural products.

AB68-SSA1,782,11 (d) Developing on-farm processing of agricultural commodities.

AB68-SSA1,782,12 (e) Developing an agritourism venue.

AB68-SSA1,782,14 (3) Priority. The department, in awarding grants under this section, shall give preference to applications that do any of the following:

AB68-SSA1,782,16 (a) Develop a business plan with market research and income projections including new and innovative plans for marketing.

AB68-SSA1,782,18 (b) Demonstrate a high probability of increased revenue, job creation, or enhanced viability.

AB68-SSA1,782,19 (c) Feature research that is innovative as well as commercially plausible.

AB68-SSA1,782,20 (d) Demonstrate a high probability of rapid commercialization.

AB68-SSA1,782,22 (e) Demonstrate a commitment for funding from other private or public sources or from the applicant.

AB68-SSA1,782,24 (4) Reports. The recipient of a grant under this section shall submit annual reports to the department documenting grant money expenses and results.

AB68-SSA1,782,25 (5) Rules. The department may promulgate rules to administer this section.

AB68-SSA1,1598 Section 1598. 93.65 of the statutes is created to read:

AB68-SSA1,783,4 93.65 Value-added agricultural practices. (1) Definition. In this section, “value-added agricultural product” means a farm product that satisfies any of the following:

AB68-SSA1,783,5 (a) The product has undergone a change in physical state.

AB68-SSA1,783,6 (b) The product is produced in a manner that enhances its value.

AB68-SSA1,783,7 (c) The product is physically segregated in a manner that enhances its value.

AB68-SSA1,783,8 (d) The product is a source of farm-based or ranch-based renewable energy.

AB68-SSA1,783,9 (e) The product is aggregated and marketed as a locally produced farm product.

AB68-SSA1,783,13 (2) Value-added products. The department may provide education and technical assistance related to promoting and implementing agricultural practices that produce value-added agricultural products, including by doing all of the following:

AB68-SSA1,783,22 (a) Assistance for organic farming practices. Providing education and technical assistance related to organic farming practices, including business and market development assistance; collaborating with organic producers, industry participants, and local organizations that coordinate organic farming; and stimulating interest and investment in organic production. The department may award grants from the appropriation under s. 20.115 (4) (f) to organic producers, industry participants, and local organizations that coordinate organic farming. The department may award a grant to an organic producer, industry participant, or local organization under this paragraph for any of the following purposes:

AB68-SSA1,783,24 1. Providing education and technical assistance related to implementing organic farming practices.

AB68-SSA1,783,25 2. Helping to create organic farming plans.

AB68-SSA1,784,1 3. Assisting farmers to transition to organic farming.

AB68-SSA1,784,4 (b) Grazing grants. Awarding grants from the appropriation under s. 20.115 (4) (f) to appropriate entities to provide education and training to farmers about best practices related to grazing.

AB68-SSA1,784,6 (c) Promotion. Helping producers market value-added agricultural products, including products produced through the use of a practice described in s. 93.67.

AB68-SSA1,784,7 (3) Rules. The department may promulgate rules to administer this section.

AB68-SSA1,1599 Section 1599. 93.66 of the statutes is created to read:

AB68-SSA1,784,13 93.66 Grants for hiring farm business consultants. The department may award grants from the appropriation under s. 20.115 (4) (f) to help farm operators hire business consultants and attorneys to examine their farm business plans and create a farm succession plan. The department may promulgate rules to administer this section.

AB68-SSA1,1600 Section 1600 . 93.67 of the statutes is created to read:

AB68-SSA1,784,19 93.67 Technical assistance on resource conservation. (1) Technical assistance. The department may provide technical assistance to farmers related to increasing or maintaining agricultural yields while promoting soil health, water quality, and regenerative agricultural practices, including by doing all of the following:

AB68-SSA1,784,23 (a) Connecting farmers with technologies or practices that address water quality and other environmental sustainability goals, including technologies or practices developed by the University of Wisconsin System, private sector businesses, and other agricultural producers.

AB68-SSA1,784,25 (b) Developing technical resources to assist farmers in promoting soil health, water quality, and regenerative agricultural practices.

AB68-SSA1,785,1 (c) Awarding grants under sub. (2).

AB68-SSA1,785,8 (2) Grants. The department may award grants from the appropriation under s. 20.115 (4) (f) to local governments, nongovernmental organizations, federally recognized American Indian tribes or bands, businesses, and individuals for developing technologies and strategies that support conservation efforts on working lands and for developing market-based solutions to environmental and resource challenges in modern farming systems. The department may not award a grant under this section of more than $25,000.

AB68-SSA1,785,9 (3) Rules. The department may promulgate rules to administer this section.

AB68-SSA1,1601 Section 1601. 93.68 of the statutes is created to read:

AB68-SSA1,785,14 93.68 Grants for meat processing facilities. (1) Definition. In this section, “meat processing facility" means a plant or premises where animals are slaughtered for human consumption, or where meat or meat products are processed, but does not include rendering plants.

AB68-SSA1,785,17 (2) Grants. The department may award grants from the appropriation under s. 20.115 (4) (f) to meat processing facilities for the purpose of promoting the growth of the meat industry in this state.

AB68-SSA1,785,18 (3) Rules. The department may promulgate rules to administer this section.

AB68-SSA1,1602 Section 1602. 93.74 of the statutes is created to read:

AB68-SSA1,785,22 93.74 Planning grants for regional biodigesters. (1) Grant program. From the appropriation under s. 20.115 (7) (u), the department shall provide planning grants for establishing regional biodigesters.

AB68-SSA1,785,24 (2) Rules. The department shall promulgate rules for the administration of this section.

AB68-SSA1,1603 Section 1603 . 93.75 of the statutes is created to read:

AB68-SSA1,786,3 93.75 Regenerative agriculture practices. (1) The department shall provide grants from the appropriation under s. 20.115 (7) (qf) to provide cost-sharing for the following purposes:

AB68-SSA1,786,4 (a) Conducting soil tests and other carbon sequestration analyses.

AB68-SSA1,786,5 (b) Updating nutrient management software.

AB68-SSA1,786,6 (c) Studying the feasibility of a statewide carbon market.

AB68-SSA1,786,7 (d) Assessing the market value of carbon sequestration.

AB68-SSA1,786,9 (e) For agricultural producers, implementing regenerative agricultural practices.

AB68-SSA1,786,11 (2) In conjunction with grants provided under sub. (1), the department shall do all of the following:

AB68-SSA1,786,15 (a) Evaluate the potential of existing tools to accurately and efficiently calculate carbon credits generated by producer-led watershed protection grant recipients under s. 93.59 and document the suitability of various carbon credit calculators for use in this state.

AB68-SSA1,786,17 (b) Identify opportunities and facilitate groups of agricultural producers to work together to generate carbon credits.

AB68-SSA1,786,21 (c) Provide technical assistance to farmers and agricultural agencies and professionals regarding the processes of carbon credit generation and associated risks of market participation to aid them in choosing to collaborate with carbon credit project developers on a verified project in the future.

AB68-SSA1,786,23 (d) Study the feasibility of a statewide carbon market and assess the market value of carbon sequestration.

AB68-SSA1,786,25 (3) The department may promulgate rules to administer the program under this section.

AB68-SSA1,1604 Section 1604. 93.76 of the statutes is created to read:

AB68-SSA1,787,5 93.76 Conservation grants. The department shall provide grants from the appropriation under s. 20.115 (7) (qf) to local governments, nongovernmental organizations, federally recognized American Indian tribes or bands, businesses, and individuals for any of the following purposes:

AB68-SSA1,787,7 (1) To develop and provide education and training to farmers about best practices related to grazing and pasture maintenance.

AB68-SSA1,787,9 (2) To provide cost-sharing incentive payments to farmers to develop and adopt regenerative agricultural practices.

AB68-SSA1,787,11 (3) The department may promulgate rules to administer the program under this section.

AB68-SSA1,1605 Section 1605 . 93.77 of the statutes is created to read:

AB68-SSA1,787,17 93.77 Nitrogen optimization pilot program. (1) In this section, “eligible university entities” means the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, the Center for Watershed Science and Education at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, and the University of Wisconsin-Extension.