AB50,822,19 (c) Promotion. Helping producers market value-added agricultural products.

AB50,822,20 (3) Rules. The department may promulgate rules to administer this section.

AB50,1579 Section 1579. 93.62 of the statutes is created to read:

AB50,823,3 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.

AB50,1580 Section 1580. 93.63 of the statutes is created to read:

AB50,823,11 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.

AB50,823,16 (2) Grants. (a) The department may award grants from the appropriation under s. 20.115 (4) (at) 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.

AB50,823,21 (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. For purposes of this paragraph, “value-added agricultural product” means a farm product that satisfies any of the following:

AB50,823,22 1. The product has undergone a change in physical state.

AB50,823,23 2. The product is produced in a manner that enhances its value.

AB50,824,1 3. The product is physically segregated in a manner that enhances its value.

AB50,824,2 4. The product is a source of farm-based or ranch-based renewable energy.

AB50,824,4 5. The product is aggregated and marketed as a locally produced farm product.

AB50,824,6 (c) The department may award grants under this subsection for projects that do any of the following:

AB50,824,9 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.

AB50,824,12 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.

AB50,824,14 3. Provide, expand, or promote training for food service personnel, farmers, and distributors.

AB50,824,15 4. Provide, expand, or promote nutritional and agricultural education.

AB50,824,17 (d) The department shall consult with interested persons to establish grant priorities for each fiscal year.

AB50,824,20 (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.

AB50,824,21 (4) Rules. The department may promulgate rules to administer this section.

AB50,1581 Section 1581. 93.67 of the statutes is created to read:

AB50,825,2 93.67 Sandhill crane damage reimbursement program. (1) In this section:

AB50,825,6 (a) “Eligible applicant” means a person that plants corn on land that is operated as part of a farm that produced at least $6,000 in gross farm revenues during the taxable year preceding the year in which the person applies for reimbursement under this section.

AB50,825,8 (b) “Farm” means all land under common ownership that is primarily devoted to agricultural use.

AB50,825,10 (c) “Seed coating” means a nonlethal treatment registered for use on corn seed to discourage sandhill cranes from consuming the seed.

AB50,825,13 (2) (a) The department shall administer a program to provide reimbursements to eligible applicants for the purchase of seed coating that is applied as a seed treatment.

AB50,825,16 (b) A reimbursement under this section shall cover not more than 50 percent of the actual cost of the purchase of seed coating that is applied as a seed treatment and may not exceed $6,250 per eligible applicant per planting season.

AB50,825,21 (c) From March 1 to June 15 of each year, eligible applicants may apply to the department for reimbursement for seed coating purchased no earlier than November 1 of the prior year. Eligible applicants shall provide to the department proof of purchase and an application on a form provided by the department to be eligible to receive a reimbursement under this section.