The proposed budget for the Department of Agriculture is $94.1 million or a decrease of $650,900 (0.7%) from the Fiscal Year 2012 total of $94.8 million. The proposed Department of Agriculture budget would do the following:

Resurrect the grant for AgriAbility totaling $200,000 GRF.  The last appropriation was in FY09 for $190,000 GRF.  To administer the AgriAbility program, the Department, in cooperation with the University of Illinois Extension, contracts with a non-profit disability service provider or other entity that assists individuals who are engaged in farming or an agriculture-related activity and who have been affected by disability.

Consolidate two animal disease laboratories into one facility, supposedly saving $1.1 million.

Headcount decreases from 375 to 353 or by 6%.

Decrease appropriations to Soil and Water Conservation Districts by $300,000 GRF, or 10.8% below FY12 appropriations.

Shift the following GRF grants into their respective Other State Fund lines:

·         $202,100 - Awards and Premiums at the Illinois State Fair

·         $94,000 - Awards and Premiums for Grand Circuit Horse Racing at the Illinois State Fair

·         $109,300 - Awards to Livestock Breeders

Eliminate expenses related to Viticulturist and Enologist Contractual Staff.

Decrease appropriations to Cooperative Extension Services by $800,000 or 7.4%