Wisconsin State Budget votes: 

Success! The Joint Finance Committee voted to reinstate funding for the County Land Conservation Departments.  These public servants are the key contact with local farmers to help put soil and water conservation practices on the land. -

Thank you and congratulations! Due to overwhelming support for the state’s Buy Local, Buy Wisconsin grant program, the Wisconsin Legislature’s Joint Finance Committee has restored the funding on a 16-0 vote!

Lost , but it's not over- 
Cuts were made to the Knowles - Nelson Stewardship Fund, and funding for the DATCP grazing program was eliminated in the state budget. 
After Joint Finance Committee, the budget will be sent to the state legislature. Contact your representatives and ask their support for the programs you value.   
Call the legislative hotline Toll-free: 1-800-362-9472 to leave a message for your Senator and Representative (they will tell you who they are if you need help.)

Control of Aquatic Invasive Species in Inland Waters: 
Wisconsin is at a critical juncture in the fight against aquatic invasive species (AIS). Many of our lakes and waterways are already choked with Eurasian Watermilfoil and other aquatic invaders, and new threats are appearing from several directions.The Wisconsin Department of Nartural Resources (DNR) already has some elements of a comprehensive AIS strategy in place, but funding for these efforts is woefully inadequate. The impact of this shortfall is felt by a wide range of parties, from lakefront property owners and others who enjoy our waterways to the many local businesses supported by fishing and tourism.

We can and must do more to prevent new aquatic invasive species from arriving, to contain those that are present, and to reduce the impact of those that are already established. Additional resources are only one part of the solution. In this proposal, we focus on a wider, regional approach within the state, on faster responses to invasives, and on ensuring improvements are maintained.

This proposal does not address needs for combating all types of invasive species, but insted focuses on the program and funding needs to deal with aquatic invasive species on our inland waters.www.wisconsinlakes.org/index.php/current-legislative-a-legal-issues/101-ais-budgetproposa

Laura Paine, Grazing and Organic Farming Specialist, DATCP gives update on GLCI Funding 

5-10-13. Here is a report on the GLCI grant program prepared by the Legislative Fiscal Bureau in preparation for a Joint Finance hearing on May 15th. They’ve solicited information from me, as well as a number of other sources.  I provided numbers they asked for on funding amounts, matching funds, and number of projects, etc. and they reference some of the information from our 2011 surveys of dairy and beef producers. 

 Next,  click here to find a number of other items that they’ve developed these papers for as well as information on the meeting. The DATCP papers are at the end of the list.

For questions for Laura, contact her at 
608-224-5120 (office) 608-516-4438 (cell) laura.paine@wi.gov

Keeping tuned: 
Here are some key  websites that can help you stay tuned to what’s happening: 


Sustainable Agriculture: Michael Fields Ag. Institute  http://michaelfields.org/issues-facing-sustainable-agriculture/

Wisconsin Lakes:   http://www.wisconsinlakes.org/index.php/current-legislative-a-legal-issues

Wisconsin League of Conservation Voters notices of the week::  http://www.conservationvoters.org/index.php/issues/conservation-notices-of-the-week

How did your representatives vote on Key issues?  http://www.conservationvoters.org/index.php/scorecard

How to sign up for alerts on specific topics and/or bills being acted upon by the State Legislature:  https://notify.legis.wisconsin.gov/login?ReturnUrl=%2f

Wisconsin Legislative Hotline:  In Madison: 266-9960, Toll-free: 1-800-362-9472

How to view live or archived legislative sessions and hearings:    http://www.wiseye.org/

Ask our U.S. Senators to support 4 amendments to the Farm Bill - 

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Please support Sen. Jeff Merkely’s (D-Ore.) amendment to the Senate version of the 2013 Farm Bill to repeal the infamous Monsanto Protection Act.  This company must not be above the law that protects citizen health and the environment.

Let Farmers Grow Industrial Hemp in the U.S. Again!
Farmers in Kentucky, Vermont, North Dakota and other states are seeking permission from the federal government to grow industrial hemp, a crop that the Obama administration treats like marijuana under the law.  Hemp farming is more protective of the soil and water than corn and soybeans.  We should not have to buy this from other countries.  Please vote for Senator Mitch McConnell's (R-Ky) industrial hemp amendment to the Farm Bill.

Farm Bill Money for Hungry Kids
The Senate version of the farm bill proposes to cut $4.1 billion over 10 years from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the nation’s largest domestic food aid program. Sen. Kristin Gillibrand (D-NY) has proposed an amendment to restore the $4.1 billion in cuts to foods stamps. The Gillibrand amendment takes the $4.1 billion from payments to crop insurance companies without reducing the insurance subsidies paid directly to farmers.
Please vote YES on Sen. Gillibrand’s amendment.

Sen. Jon Tester (D-Mont.) is introducing a Farm Bill amendment next week that aims to reinvigorate classical plant breeding and public cultivar development. Please support Sen. Tester’s amendment to reinvigorate classical plant breeding to ensure farmers have the seed they need to be successful. Developing regionally appropriate seed varieties held in the public domain is paramount to the success of U.S. agriculture.

Follow this link to identify and contact your State Assembly and Senator Representatives in Madison.  

How to Contact your Representatives in Washington:
Town and Country RC&D serves over half the population of Wisconsin, and encompasses all or part of  5 of our 8 congressional districts. 

Here is a link to a map of Wisconsin Congressional Districts

To save resources and avoid security concerns, email is the preferred way to contact your congressional representative,  and directing that email to the proper aide will expedite your message. Below you will find a link to the individual web pages, and an email to the legislative aide who deals with RC&D appropriations.

Wisconsin Members of Congress From Our Area


United States Senators from Wisconsin
           Web Form: ronjohnson.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/contact