LETTER: Don’t sell farmers short, they bring $116 billion to our state

To Ozaukee Press:

I would like to thank the farmers of Wisconsin for serving as the backbone of our communities and supplying the food, fiber and fuel that support our daily lives.

Farmers are the driver of the state’s $116.3 billion agriculture industry and, by extension, Wisconsin’s overall economy. In fact, almost 10% of people working in Wisconsin hold a job related to agriculture. These are the folks who work to put food on tables across the state, the country and the world.

In 2024, Wisconsin exported $3.97 billion in agricultural and food products to 151 countries.

With Gov. Evers and the Legislature agreeing to invest in the Wisconsin Initiative for Agricultural Exports in the 2025-27 budget, the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) will continue to work with Wisconsin agribusinesses to support farmers and push against trade headwinds and other challenges.

The worldwide impact of Wisconsin agriculture is impressive, but we can only progress if we also work to support the farmers themselves. This is being done through state programs for soil and water conservation, food security, road quality, meat and dairy processing expansion and the mental health of farmers.

Due to these investments, DATCP’s Farmer Wellness Program, an initiative that provides a 24/7 crisis helpline, counseling vouchers and virtual counseling services for farmers and their families, will be able to continue being there for farmers.

People often recognize the physical labor required for farming, but it’s important we also understand the mental and emotional labor connected to it as well.

To support farming in our state, I encourage Wisconsinites to buy locally grown and produced agricultural goods and thank local farmers.

Randy Romanski

Secretary

Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection