SB45,820,5 4. To assist a farmer with paying for grass-based managed grazing system infrastructure needs, including fencing, watering, and other livestock management infrastructure.

SB45,820,8 5. Technical assistance and support from a certified grazing specialist in developing grazing plans, including determining field layout, infrastructure setup, seed selection, and establishment of rotational grazing patterns.

SB45,820,13 (b) Grants awarded under par. (a) shall be awarded only to a farmer implementing a new grass-based managed grazing system or a new managed grazing practice that improves the conservation and financial performance of existing grazing systems; grants may not be awarded to a farmer for the support of the farmer’s existing grazing practices.

SB45,820,15 (c) The department may not award more than $40,000 in grants under par. (a) to any one grantee.

SB45,820,20 (d) In the year following the department’s decision to grant an award under par. (a), the department shall provide 75 percent of the award to the grantee, and in each of the 2nd and 3rd years following the department’s decision to grant an award under par. (a), the department shall provide 12.5 percent of the award to the grantee.

SB45,820,22 (4) Support for farmers. (a) The transition to grass pilot program shall provide the following for farmers and persons in agribusiness:

SB45,821,2 1. Assistance in navigating and analyzing the economics of grass-based managed grazing and providing grass-fed livestock research, market development initiatives, and other market opportunities.

SB45,821,4 2. Best practices for meeting consumer demand for grass-fed livestock products.

SB45,821,7 3. Assistance in fostering innovation in and expanding farm and agribusiness strategies in grass-based managed grazing systems and grass-fed livestock practices.

SB45,821,10 (b) The department’s division of agricultural development shall support the state’s grass-fed livestock supply chain, including regional processors, aggregators, distributors, and markets.

SB45,1578 Section 1578. 93.61 of the statutes is created to read:

SB45,821,14 93.61 Value-added agricultural practices. (1) Definition. In this section, “value-added agricultural product” means a farm product that satisfies any of the following:

SB45,821,15 (a) The product has undergone a change in physical state.

SB45,821,16 (b) The product is produced in a manner that enhances its value.

SB45,821,17 (c) The product is physically segregated in a manner that enhances its value.

SB45,821,18 (d) The product is a source of farm-based or ranch-based renewable energy.

SB45,821,20 (e) The product is aggregated and marketed as a locally produced farm product.

SB45,822,2 (2) Value-added agricultural 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:

SB45,822,11 (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) (ar) 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:

SB45,822,13 1. Providing education and technical assistance related to implementing organic farming practices.

SB45,822,14 2. Helping to create organic farming plans.

SB45,822,15 3. Assisting farmers to transition to organic farming.

SB45,822,18 (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.

SB45,822,19 (c) Promotion. Helping producers market value-added agricultural products.

SB45,822,20 (3) Rules. The department may promulgate rules to administer this section.

SB45,1579 Section 1579. 93.62 of the statutes is created to read:

SB45,823,3 93.62 Food security and Wisconsin products grant program. The department may award grants from the appropriation under s. 20.115 (4) (aq) 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.

SB45,1580 Section 1580. 93.63 of the statutes is created to read:

SB45,823,11 93.63 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.