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Act Introduced Legislation aims to help
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| 2/14/02 |
To see a summary of the bill, click here.
Calling the Act a major commitment to Wisconsin agriculture and rural communities, Senator Baumgart said it will invest $8.1 million annually in the future of farming by providing funding for modernization, expansion of markets, transitions into profitable organic and grazing production methods and farm education programs.
Family farms are the cornerstones of Wisconsin communities, said Senator Kevin Shibilski, (D-Stevens Point). “This legislation will help stop the further decline of our family farms.”
Wisconsin’s family farms have been going out-of-business at a rate of 4-5 per day, largely due to industry consolidation and the growing stranglehold that large retailers and food processors have on farm markets. The Family Farm Protection Act would get the state’s Department of Justice and the University of Wisconsin involved in investigating and addressing industry consolidation and the anti-competitive practices that are driving many farmers out of business.
“We need state government to be more active in standing up to the commodities brokers and processing giants that are putting the squeeze on our farmers,” said Burke, who would be in a position to enforce agricultural anti-trust laws if elected Attorney General in November.
Wisconsin Farmers Union District Director Gerry Jaeger, whose organization helped to develop the proposal, said it was a very important day for Wisconsin farmers. “We’ve struggled to get state action while losing one-third of our dairy farms in the last seven years,” said Jaeger. “Now finally we are going to have a serious discussion in the legislature about the future of Wisconsin farming.”
Farm, faith, consumer and environmental organizations were all on hand to support introduction of the Act, which they say is just as important to rural communities, consumers and the environment as it is to farmers.
“Farming is the economic backbone of much of Wisconsin,” said Reverend Sue Larson, who directs the Lutheran Office for Public Policy in Wisconsin. “When our farms fail, it creates a ripple effect that impacts the many other rural businesses and farm service industries that they support, which in turn impacts the local tax base and the services that communities can provide to families, children and the elderly.”
Larson said that Lutheran Social Services works hard to keep up with the needs of families affected by the growing rural crisis, but her church perceives a growing need to call for action.
Environmental organizations also applauded the bill, saying Wisconsin’s family farmers were among the best in the nation at implementing conservation practices that protect water quality and preserve soil. The bill includes a proposal for $2 million per year to go out to Wisconsin farmers to do manure management planning, as well as stepped up research and education efforts on eco-friendly farming practices.
“This bill helps Wisconsin’s family farms continue to do what they do best, produce wholesome nutritious food in harmony with environmental values,” said Caryl Terrell of the Sierra Club.
Sam Gieryn, spokesperson for consumer watchdog Wisconsin Citizen Action, pointed out that there is a growing demand for farm-fresh, locally grown produce, dairy and meat that is not being met because shelf space in many major food retail outlets is dominated often paid for by a few major food processors.
“Both consumers and farmers are damaged when people can’t find the farm-fresh Wisconsin products they want because our Wisconsin products are locked-out of grocery shelf-space,” said Gieryn.
Responding to questions about how the ambitious Family Farm Protection Act fits in with state government’s pressing need to cut it’s budget, Senator Burke, who co-chairs the legislature’s Joint Finance Committee, said, “This industry is critical to our state economy and thus critical to the future of state tax revenues. If we neglect and lose our farms and farm-related industries, the budget shortfall will worsen year after year.”
The following organizations support the Family Farm Protection Act:
For additional information, click here.
