AB 796

This bill requires the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer

Protection to create a nitrogen optimization pilot program, under which DATCP

awards grants to farmers to implement a project, for at least two growing seasons,

that reduces nitrate loading or that uses nitrogen at an optimal rate while protecting

water quality, for example by reducing nitrogen application despite a decrease in

crop yield, by growing a crop that requires less nitrogen or that is nitrogen fixing, or

by expanding or conserving wetlands. Under the bill, a farmer may not receive more

than $50,000. The farmer must collaborate with the College of Agricultural and Life

Sciences at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, the Center for Watershed Science

and Education at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, and the University of

Wisconsin-Extension (collectively, the university) to adjust the grant project to meet

the university's research needs.

The bill requires the university to monitor grant projects on-site and to use

information gathered from grant projects to research nitrate loading reduction

methods, with a goal toward making recommendations to agricultural producers on

optimizing nitrogen usage while improving water quality in this state. The bill also

requires the university to prepare a report to the legislature, based on this research,

that includes information and recommendations on improving nutrient

management software programs, improving nutrient management plan adoption

and implementation rates, and improving or altering the state cost-share system,

and that includes an assessment of the cost effectiveness of different nitrogen

reduction methods and an estimate of the demand for a permanent program that is

similar to the grant program established under this bill. The university may receive

a grant for its monitoring, research, and reporting requirements under the bill. The

amount of the grant may not exceed 20 percent of the amount awarded to the farmer

for the grant project.

The bill requires DATCP to attempt to provide grants to farmers in different

parts of the state and to provide grants for projects in areas that have different soil

types or geologic characteristics. The bill requires DATCP to prioritize projects that

are innovative and that are not currently funded through existing state or federal

programs and to prioritize farmers who plan to implement projects for longer periods

of time. The bill also requires DATCP to collaborate with the farmer and the

university when awarding grants under the pilot program.