Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation members came to state budget hearings during the Joint Finance Committee roadshow to outline ag issues. It included support for the Agricultural Road Improvement Program, on-farm agricultural conservation, and producer-led watershed protection.
The next step for the JFC is to decide what’s going into the state budget. For WFBF Executive Director of Government Relations Jason Mugnaini, it means all hands on deck for the Wisconsin Ag Coalition.
“We’re really excited to have a united front of almost 30 organizations representing an industry that’s $116 billion,” he says, noting that the “united front” supports programs in market development, on-farm conservation, rural livability, and infrastructure. “It’s really an important time for us to be dialed in and talking to legislators about what is at the forefront of the needs of the ag industry over the next two years.”
The Issues
These organizations are asking for $1.5 million each year for the producer-led watershed protection groups. Mugnaini notes the coalition is also asking for reinvestment in cover crop and nitrogen optimization programs.
“Doing that research here in Wisconsin, with Wisconsin farmers, has been a great way to learn how the uses of commercial nitrogen can be optimized and hopefully save some farmers a little money in the long run,” he says.
On the topic of rural livability, WFBF wants to see more CDL drivers, farmer mental health vouchers, support for ag education — items that Mugnaini says would build and support the agricultural workforce. This includes the ARIP program, which WFBF wants to see renewed at $150 million.
When it comes to the possibility of inclusion for these initiatives, Mugnaini says feedback from lawmakers has been generally positive.
“They see that we’ve built programs over time. We’re not launching things that are not well thought out,” he says. “These are things that people have a demand and a need for.”
