City Times Staff

Bi-Partisan Bill Creates Program for Veteran Farmers, Logo for Veteran Grown Farm Products

WAUSAU —  Earlier this week, a stroke of Governor Walker’s pen made the Wisconsin Veteran Farm Bill of 2017 law.

The bill, authored by Senator Patrick Testin (R-Stevens Point) and Representative Evan Goyke (D-Milwaukee), and co-authored by Rep. Ed Brooks (R-Reedsburg) and Sen. Janis Ringhand (D-Evansville), creates a program to recruit military veterans into farming and authorizes the creation of a logotype for veteran farmer products.

“Since day one, we’ve made the point that this legislation is pro-veteran, pro-agriculture, and pro-workforce,” said Representative. Goyke. “It makes investments in the future of Wisconsin’s agricultural economy, and the futures of our veterans. The legislation will accomplish changes in State law to benefit current and future veteran farmers – both rural and urban. I am proud to author it and thank all of the state agencies and stakeholders for their help and support in helping craft this important bill.”

The bill’s signing followed unanimous passage through both houses last month.

“This week’s bill signing was the final step in a process that began months ago,” said Senator Testin. “Representative Goyke and I developed this idea with individual veterans, veteran groups, agencies, and legislators from both parties. That idea is a now a law that will help veterans find work and bolster our farming workforce.”