DATCP and Governor's Office Begin Conversations With Farm Groups Regarding Funding from CARES Act
Friday, May 8th, 2020 -- 9:05 AM
(Wisconsin Ag Connection) -The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture and officials with the governor's office have begun dialog with state farm groups to determine how some of the CARES funding could be shared directly with producers in need.During his weekly conference call with the media on Thursday, Interim DATCP Secretary Randy Romanski said discussions began this week on establishing criteria on how such disbursements could take place. On April 21, a group of eight farm organizations wrote a letter to Gov. Tony Evers asking for up to $50 million in direct cash relief for farmers who are suffering from financial setbacks due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The original request came from leaders of the Wisconsin Farm Bureau, Wisconsin Corn Growers Association, Dairy Business Association, Wisconsin Soybean Association, Wisconsin Pork Association, Wisconsin Cattlemen's Association, Wisconsin State Cranberry Growers Association, and Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association.
Meanwhile, Romanski said his agency is working with other agriculture departments in neighboring states to evaluate how their combined voices can help bring additional resources to the region. And he again made a plea to consumers asking them to practice what he calls responsible purchasing. He said Wisconsin continues to have an abundant and safe food supply and that there is no need to hoard items or take more than they normally would during trips to the super market.
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