News and Events

State budget  signed – in early July,  the Legislature and Gov. Tony Evers passed the 2025-27 state biennial budget, which includes key investments that support custom farming and rural communities.

WCO is especially pleased with the reauthorization of the Agricultural Road Improvement Program (ARIP), which dedicates $150 million to upgrading local farm roads and bridges. These investments are critical for the safe, efficient movement of custom farming equipment and agricultural goods across the state.

Last budget cycle, this program funded 92 road projects. Continued funding ensures long-term access and reliability for the roads our members rely on daily.

The budget also maintains support for conservation, ag innovation, processing, and mental health services—important resources for both our members and the broader farm economy.

Additional key budget items relevant to WCO members:

• Producer-Led Watershed Protection Grants ($2 Million) – Continued funding to support farmer-led conservation efforts that protect water quality.
• Cover Crop Insurance Premium Rebate Program ($1.6 Million) – Ongoing support to encourage the use of cover crops by offsetting insurance costs.
• Nitrogen Optimization Grant Program ($2 Million) – Funds to help farmers adopt innovative practices and technologies that improve nitrogen use efficiency.
• CDL Driver Training Grant Program ($500,000) – Funding to help cover tuition costs for training new CDL drivers, addressing the ongoing labor shortage in the ag hauling and custom application industries.
• Dairy Cattle Innovation Program ($20 million) – WCO is watching closely as more details emerge about this new investment to help farmers purchase equipment and technology that improve efficiency and sustainability in dairy operations.