AgCountry Farm Credit Services / PLANT / March 2022
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE Written by: Andy Martin, Legislative and Public Affairs Officer
Senator Westrum (wearing red tie) and the Minnesota Farm Credit Committee.
Winter is a busy season at most state capitols and in 2022 that holds true in Minnesota and Wisconsin where both legislatures have been in session since January. During this flurry of activity, AgCountry’s Board of Directors has been busy engaging legislators and state leaders in discussions on key agriculture issues and legislative priorities. WISCONSIN In Wisconsin, the Farm Credit Services Legislative Day was held at the State Capitol on February 2. Board members from AgCountry, GreenStone FCS, and Compeer Financial gathered in Madison for this effort. Following policy briefings, the directors held over 25 meetings with legislators, state agency leaders, and key staff members. The 2021-23 biennial budget bill contained several important provisions for Wisconsin farmers. Directors shared their appreciation for the time
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and attention legislative leaders and the Governor spent on agriculture issues during budget negotiations. Agriculture highlights of the biennial budget included: • $5 million over five years for an effort by the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP), and Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation to increase agriculture export values 25% by 2026. • $400,000 over the biennium for the Meat Processing Facility Infrastructure Grant program, which aims to grow Wisconsin’s meat industry and improve the long-term viability of the state’s livestock industry. • Funding for four additional state meat inspectors was included in the budget, as the shortage of inspectors was identified by the state as a critical limiting factor to increasing processing capacity. • $2 million over the biennium to fund University of
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