JR0 AB3: Bill Text

LRB-5412/1

KP&MCP:amn

January 2020 Special Session

2019 - 2020 LEGISLATURE

Assembly BILL 3

February 7, 2020 - Introduced by Committee on Assembly Organization, by request of Governor Tony Evers. Referred to Committee on Agriculture.

AB3,1,5 An Act to create 93.01 (17), 93.37, 93.495 and 93.61 of the statutes; relating to: promoting production of value-added agricultural products; creating an organic farming education grant program, a grazing education grant program, and a farm to fork grant program; providing resource conservation technical assistance; granting rule-making authority; and making an appropriation.

Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau

This bill requires the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection to provide education and technical assistance related to producing value-added agricultural products. The bill defines a “value-added agricultural product” as a farm product that satisfies any of the following: 1) has undergone a change in physical state; 2) is produced in a manner that enhances its value; 3) is physically segregated in a manner that enhances its value; 4) is a source of farm-based or ranch-based renewable energy; or 5) is aggregated and marketed as a locally produced product. As a part of providing education and assistance related to producing value-added agricultural products, DATCP must provide education and assistance related to organic farming practices, collaborate with organic producers, industry participants, and local organizations that coordinate organic farming, and stimulate interest and investment in organic production. The bill authorizes a position in DATCP to perform these duties and also requires DATCP to provide grants to organic producers, industry participants, and local organizations, which may be used to provide education and technical assistance related to organic farming, to help create organic farming plans, and to assist farmers in transitioning to organic farming. The bill also requires DATCP to provide grants to entities to provide education and training to farmers about best practices related to grazing. DATCP is also required under the bill to help farmers market value-added agricultural products.

In addition, the bill creates a farm to fork program, similar to the existing farm to school program, to connect entities, other than school districts, that have cafeterias to nearby farms to provide 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. Under the bill, DATCP must provide grants to entities for these purposes. The bill authorizes a position in DATCP to act as a program coordinator for the farm to fork program.

The bill also creates a resource conservation technical assistance program in DATCP for providing technical assistance to farmers relating to increasing or maintaining agricultural yields while promoting soil health, water quality, and regenerative agricultural practices and for providing grants to local governments, nongovernmental organizations, federally recognized American Indian tribes or bands, businesses, and individuals. The bill authorizes a position in DATCP to administer this program.

Finally, the bill authorizes a position in DATCP to serve as a grants coordinator for grants administered under DATCP's division of agricultural development.

For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill.

The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows:

AB3,1 Section 1 . 93.01 (17) of the statutes is created to read:

AB3,2,3 93.01 (17) “Value-added agricultural product” means a farm product that satisfies any of the following:

AB3,2,4 (a) The product has undergone a change in physical state.

AB3,2,5 (b) The product is produced in a manner that enhances its value.

AB3,2,6 (c) The product is physically segregated in a manner that enhances its value.

AB3,2,7 (d) The product is a source of farm-based or ranch-based renewable energy.

AB3,2,8 (e) The product is aggregated and marketed as a locally produced farm product.

AB3,2 Section 2. 93.37 of the statutes is created to read:

AB3,3,4 93.37 Value-added agricultural practices. (1) Value-added products. The department shall 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:

AB3,3,13 (a) Assistance for organic farming practices. Providing education and technical assistance related to organic farming practices, including business and market development assistance; collaborate with organic producers, industry participants, and local organizations that coordinate organic farming; and stimulate interest and investment in organic production. From the appropriation under s. 20.115 (3) (a), the department shall provide grants to organic producers, industry participants, and local organizations that coordinate organic farming. The department may provide a grant to an organic producer, industry participant, or local organization under this paragraph for any of the following purposes:

AB3,3,15 1. Providing education and technical assistance related to implementing organic farming practices.

AB3,3,16 2. Helping to create organic farming plans.

AB3,3,17 3. Assisting farmers to transition to organic farming.

AB3,3,20 (b) Grazing grants. From the appropriation under s. 20.115 (3) (a), providing grants to appropriate entities to provide education and training to farmers about best practices related to grazing.

AB3,3,22 (c) Promotion. Helping producers market value-added agricultural products, including products produced through the use of a practice described in s. 93.61.

AB3,3,24 (2) Rules. The department may promulgate rules for the administration of this section.

AB3,3 Section 3 . 93.495 of the statutes is created to read:

AB3,4,7 93.495 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.

AB3,4,12 (2) Grants. (a) From the appropriation under s. 20.115 (3) (a), the department shall provide grants 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.

AB3,4,16 (b) In providing 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.

AB3,4,18 (c) The department may provide funding under this subsection for projects that do any of the following:

AB3,4,21 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 schools.

AB3,4,24 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.

AB3,5,2 3. Provide, expand, or promote training for food service personnel, farmers, and distributors.

AB3,5,3 4. Provide, expand, or promote nutritional and agricultural education.

AB3,5,5 (d) The department shall consult with interested persons to establish grant priorities for each fiscal year.

AB3,5,7 (3) Rules. The department may promulgate rules for the administration of this section.

AB3,5,10 (4) 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.

AB3,4 Section 4 . 93.61 of the statutes is created to read:

AB3,5,15 93.61 Technical assistance on resource conservation. (1) The department shall provide technical assistance to farmers relating to increasing or maintaining agricultural yields while promoting soil health, water quality, and regenerative agricultural practices, including by doing all of the following:

AB3,5,19 (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.

AB3,5,21 (b) Developing technical resources to assist farmers in promoting soil health, water quality, and regenerative agricultural practices.

AB3,5,22 (c) Providing grants under sub. (2).

AB3,6,3 (2) (a) From the appropriation under s. 20.115 (7) (a), the department shall provide grants 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.

AB3,6,5 (b) The department may not award a grant under this section of more than $25,000.

AB3,6,7 (3) The department may promulgate rules for the administration of this section.