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Farm Events: |
Farm News: Potato And Veggie Growers Get GrantscommentsPosted: 10.21.2010
DATCP Secretary Randy Romanski and DNR Secretary Matt Frank today applauded the gains that Wisconsin potato and vegetable growers are making this year with the help of Specialty Crop Block Grants, which are helping to fund improved irrigation systems and other initiatives.
“One of Wisconsin’s greatest agricultural strengths is its diversity, and specialty crop block grants are helping many parts of the state’s $59 billion farm economy compete more effectively and use natural resources more efficiently,” DATCP Secretary Romanski said at a potato wash facility in central Wisconsin. “Potatoes, specialty meats and cheeses, cranberries and vegetables are all part of Wisconsin’s heritage and are essential to its future.”
“These grant dollars support projects that will conserve water, protect watersheds such as the Plover River, and promote long term sustainability in Wisconsin's farm economy. New technologies and practices are helping us build a stronger agricultural economy and a healthier environment,” DNR Secretary Matt Frank said. “We look forward to working with potato growers, DATCP and other agricultural producers on these important goals.”
The nearly $1 million in specialty crop grants announced recently by Gov. Jim Doyle aim to foster research, make distribution of these crops more efficient, enhance food safety, address invasive species and pests, and promote sustainable production.
The grants being awarded to the potato and vegetable growers include:
In addition to potatoes, crops being funded through the efforts include cranberries, ginseng, grapes, honey, hazelnuts and corn. The funds come from the U.S. Department of Agriculture specialty crop block grant program, are administered by DATCP.
Under Governor Doyle’s leadership, Wisconsin has invested and promoted its diverse agricultural economy, which is responsible for more than 1 in 10 jobs in Wisconsin. Incentives to help modernize the dairy industry have helped increase milk production to record levels and have strengthened the state's status as the number one producer of cheese in the country. In addition, Wisconsin is second in the nation in the number of organic farms.
At the same time, efforts to strengthen diversity in agriculture have made Wisconsin a leading producer of cranberries, specialty cheeses, organic vegetables and many other products. To enable successful farming for future generations, the state's best farmland is protected under the Working Lands Initiative that Governor Doyle signed into law in 2009.
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