Office of the Secretary 2811 Agriculture Dr., Madison, WI 53718-6777
608/224-5012
BY WISCONSIN LEGISLATIVE DISTRICTS Contact: Jane H. Larson 608
224-5005

MADISON – State lawmakers have a new tool that highlights the
importance of agriculture within their senate and assembly districts.

State Agriculture Secretary Rod Nilsestuen presented lawmakers with a
publication that summarizes agricultural output by Wisconsin Senate
and Assembly districts with information derived from the 2007 Census
of Agriculture.
The publication was produced by the United States Department of
Agriculture National Agricultural Statistics Services’ Wisconsin Field
Office using information provided through surveys of Wisconsin’s
farmers and agricultural businesses
and is available at
http://www.nass.usda.gov/Statistics_by_State/Wisconsin/Publications/State_Census_Summaries/2007/.
“Wisconsin is one of four states in the nation to provide this
valuable information which provides legislators a clear understanding
of the diversity and value of agriculture in their district,”
Nilsestuen said. “Agriculture is Wisconsin’s third largest sector,
generating $59 billion a year in economic activity. This data
highlights the importance of agriculture in all areas of the state.”

The legislative district information includes farm size by acreage,
farm operator characteristics, the amount and value of
livestock and commodities produced within the district and the rank of
those items within the state.

“Thanks to a great partnership between DATCP and NASS, Wisconsin is
able to provide current and reliable information to Wisconsin’s
agricultural community,” said Bob Battaglia, Wisconsin NASS field
office director. “We are proud to be
able to offer lawmakers this data which can help them better serve
their constituents.”
Additional information regarding the legislative district data and
other statistics about Wisconsin and U.S. agriculture can be found at
http://www.nass.usda.gov.