November 21, 2023 - Introduced by Senators Pfaff, Smith, Spreitzer, Hesselbein, Roys and Taylor, cosponsored by Representatives C. Anderson, Considine, Jacobson, J. Anderson, Bare, Behnke, Clancy, Drake, Emerson, Joers, Ohnstad, Palmeri, Ratcliff, Shankland, Shelton and Subeck. Referred to Committee on Agriculture and Tourism.
SB715,,22An Act to create 20.115 (4) (av) and 93.65 of the statutes; relating to: value-added agricultural practices, granting rule-making authority, and making an appropriation. SB715,,33Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau The bill allows the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection to provide education and technical assistance related to producing value-added agricultural products. Under the bill, DATCP may 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 also allows 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 authorizes DATCP to provide grants to entities to provide education and training to farmers about best practices related to grazing. DATCP is also authorized under the bill to help farmers market value-added agricultural products.
For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill.
SB715,,44The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows: SB715,15Section 1. 20.005 (3) (schedule) of the statutes: at the appropriate place, insert the following amounts for the purposes indicated: SB715,26Section 2. 20.115 (4) (av) of the statutes is created to read: SB715,,7720.115 (4) (av) Value-added agricultural practices. Biennially, the amounts in the schedule for the value-added agricultural practices program under s. 93.65. SB715,38Section 3. 93.65 of the statutes is created to read: SB715,,9993.65 Value-added agricultural practices. (1) Definition. In this section, “value-added agricultural product” means a farm product that satisfies any of the following: SB715,,1010(a) The product has undergone a change in physical state. SB715,,1111(b) The product is produced in a manner that enhances its value. SB715,,1212(c) The product is physically segregated in a manner that enhances its value. SB715,,1313(d) The product is a source of farm-based or ranch-based renewable energy. SB715,,1414(e) The product is aggregated and marketed as a locally produced farm product. SB715,,1515(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: SB715,,1616(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) (av) 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: SB715,,17171. Providing education and technical assistance related to implementing organic farming practices. SB715,,18182. Helping to create organic farming plans. SB715,,19193. Assisting farmers to transition to organic farming. SB715,,2020(b) Grazing grants. Awarding grants from the appropriation under s. 20.115 (4) (av) to appropriate entities to provide education and training to farmers about best practices related to grazing. SB715,,2121(c) Promotion. Helping producers market value-added agricultural products, including products produced through the use of a practice described in s. 93.67. SB715,,2222(3) Rules. The department may promulgate rules to administer this section.
