Below is another example of how Walker’s beating the environmentalists, bit by bit (and helping the farmers)
March 7, 2015 - Farm Bureau, others question Scott Walker’s proposed farm research cuts
“Researchers and supporters of a program that helps farmers run cleaner and more efficient operations say they were “stunned” and “blindsided” by Gov. Scott Walker’s proposal to cut a third of the project’s funding.
Discovery Farms, a UW-Extension program that dates to 2001, applies science from a “plows-on” level, evaluates and monitors efforts by state farmers to control runoff, calibrate fertilizer use and employ techniques to conserve land and water.
It has a $750,000 budget, of which $248,000 would be cut in the governor’s proposed state budget.
UW-Extension officials noted the loss affects longstanding projects and the ability of the small program to leverage crucial additional grants and funds.
“We would have a 1.2-employee reduction of staff and we would pull back some of our sampling efforts, water quality analysis and a project (set) for Rock County,” said Amber Radatz, project co-director.
The project’s programs include monitoring 20 state farms and educating thousands of farmers on conservation strategies.
“This was a big surprise to our agency partners as well as our partners in farm groups and in UW-Extension,” she said. “We never had an inkling.”
The $248,000 comes from a surcharge on farm chemical sales that would be discontinued.”................
MEANWHILE Gov. Chris Christie rolls over.
“Chris Christie on Thursday reminded Americans that unlike the majority of his rivals for the Republican nomination, he believes that man-made climate change in undeniable. “I think global warming is real,” he said at during an event in New Hampshire, according to MSNBC. “I don’t think that’s deniable. And I do think human activity contributes to it.”
The New Jersey governor has made similar remarks in years past, but his most recent declaration is noteworthy because it suggests he’ll be willing to talk about climate change on the campaign trail—something the rest of the field isn’t exactly eager to do. ......”