Kohl, Obey Secure Funding for Wisconsin Agriculture Projects in Final FY 2005 Budget

KOHL, OBEY SECURE FUNDING FOR WISCONSIN AGRICULTURE PROJECTS IN FINAL FY2005 BUDGET

Budget bill includes funding for research, nutrition, dairy programs

WASHINGTON U.S. Senator Herb Kohl and Congressman Dave Obey announced today that the FY2005 federal budget, passed by Congress today, includes funding for a wide array of Wisconsin agricultural research, management and conservation projects. Obey is the senior Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee. Kohl serves on the Senate Appropriations Committee and is the ranking member of the Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee. The bill provides over $16.98 billion in funding for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for a host of agriculture, nutrition and food safety programs. "We are proud that Wisconsin's agriculture community continues to be such a strong leader in our national policies," Kohl said. "We are home to vibrant research, conservation, nutrition and rural outreach programs that are a vital part of our country's rural economy. It's gratifying to see Wisconsin lead the nation and utilize a significant amount of federal agriculture funds each year." "These funds will help our state maintain its position as a national leader in the areas of agriculture research, conservation, education, dairy production and nutrition. It is a significant federal investment which will complement Wisconsinites hard work and long hours both in the fields and at the universities as we strive for more productive and profitable farming," said Obey.