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2023 - 2024 LEGISLATURE
2023 ASSEMBLY BILL 755
December 6, 2023 - Introduced by Representatives SHELTON, JACOBSON, CONSIDINE,
C. ANDERSON, J. ANDERSON, ANDRACA, BARE, CLANCY, CONLEY, DRAKE, EMERSON,
JOERS, MADISON, MOORE OMOKUNDE, OHNSTAD, PALMERI, RATCLIFF, SHANKLAND,
SINICKI, SNODGRASS, SUBECK, HAYWOOD and NEUBAUER, cosponsored by
Senators PFAFF, HESSELBEIN, LARSON, ROYS, SMITH, SPREITZER and TAYLOR.
Referred to Committee on Agriculture.
***AUTHORS SUBJECT TO CHANGE***
AN ACT to renumber and amend 93.49 (3) (a); and to create 20.115 (4) (aw),
93.49 (3) (a) 1. and 93.495 of the statutes; relating to: farm to fork grants, farm
to school grants, granting rule-making authority , and making an
appropriation.
Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau
This bill creates a farm to fork program, similar to the existing farm to school
program, to connect entities that are not school districts and that have cafeterias to
nearby farms to provide 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. Under the bill, the
Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection must provide grants to
entities for these purposes.
The bill also provides funding for DATCP to award grants for creating and
expanding farm to school programs and requires that in awarding grants under the
farm to school programs, DATCP must give preference to school districts that have
a high percentage of students who are eligible for free or reduced-price meals under
federal law. Current law requires DATCP to promote farm to school programs, which
connect schools with nearby farms to provide children with locally produced foods in
school meals, and DATCP must give preference in awarding farm to school grants to
innovative proposals or to proposals that provide models for other school districts.
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ASSEMBLY BILL 755
For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be
printed as an appendix to this bill.
The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do
enact as follows:
SECTION 1. 20.005 (3) (schedule) of the statutes: at the appropriate place, insert
the following amounts for the purposes indicated:
2023-24 2024-25
20.115 Agriculture, trade and consumer
protection, department of
(4) AGRICULTURAL ASSISTANCE
(aw)Farm to fork program GPR A 265,700 287,600
SECTION 2. 20.115 (4) (aw) of the statutes is created to read:
20.115 (4) (aw) Farm to fork program. The amounts in the schedule for the farm
to fork program under s. 93.495.
SECTION 3. 93.49 (3) (a) of the statutes is renumbered 93.49 (3) (a) (intro.) and
amended to read:
93.49 (3) (a) (intro.) From the appropriation under s. 20.115 (4) (as), the
department shall provide grants to school districts, in coordination with the
department of public instruction, and to nonprofit organizations, farmers, and any
other entities for the creation and expansion of farm to school programs. The
department shall give preference to the following types of proposals:
2. Proposals that are innovative or that provide models that other school
districts can adopt.
SECTION 4. 93.49 (3) (a) 1. of the statutes is created to read:
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SECTION 4
ASSEMBLY BILL 755
93.49 (3) (a) 1. Proposals from school districts in which a high percentage of
pupils satisfy the income eligibility criteria under 42 USC 1758 (b) (1) for a free or
reduced-price meal.
SECTION 5. 93.495 of the statutes is created to read:
93.495 Farm to fork program. (1) DEFINITIONS. In this section:
(a) “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.
(b) “Value-added agricultural product” means a farm product that satisfies any
of the following:
1. The product has undergone a change in physical state.
2. The product is produced in a manner that enhances its value.
3. The product is physically segregated in a manner that enhances its value.
4. The product is a source of farm-based or ranch-based renewable energy.
5. The product is aggregated and marketed as a locally produced farm product.
(2) GRANTS. (a) The department may award grants from the appropriation
under s. 20.115 (4) (aw) 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.
(b) In awarding grants under this section, the department shall promote
agricultural development and farm profitability by supporting the development and
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SECTION 5 ASSEMBLY BILL 755
adoption of practices and agribusiness opportunities that involve the production of
value-added agricultural products.
(c) The department may award grants under this subsection for projects that
do any of the following:
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.
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.
3. Provide, expand, or promote training for food service personnel, farmers, and
distributors.
4. Provide, expand, or promote nutritional and agricultural education.
(d) The department shall consult with interested persons to establish grant
priorities for each fiscal year.
(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.
(4) RULES. The department may promulgate rules to administer this section.
SECTION 6.0Nonstatutory provisions.
(1) FARM TO FORK PROGRAM. The authorized FTE positions for the department
of agriculture, trade and consumer protection are increased by 1.0 GPR positions, to
be funded from the appropriation under s. 20.115 (4) (aw), for the purpose of
administering the farm to fork program.
SECTION 7.0Fiscal changes.
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SECTION 7
ASSEMBLY BILL 755
(1) FARM TO SCHOOL GRANTS. In the schedule under s. 20.005 (3) for the
appropriation to the department of agriculture, trade and consumer protection
under s. 20.115 (4) (as), the dollar amount for fiscal year 2023-24 is increased by
$200,000 and the dollar amount for fiscal year 2024-25 is increased by $200,000 for
the purpose for which the appropriation is made.
(END)
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