By Grace Atherton
Members of the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association (WCMA) today applauded Governor Tony Evers and legislative leaders on the bipartisan passage and signing of the 2025-2027 biennial state budget into law. The bill includes more than half a billion dollars of funding, championed by WCMA, to support dairy innovation, boost dairy exports, address food insecurity, and strengthen the food supply chain through key infrastructure and workforce support.
“Wisconsin’s dairy industry delivers $52 billion in economic activity, and more than 120,000 jobs, with farmers and processors earning our state’s reputation as America’s Dairyland,” said Rebekah Sweeney, WCMA Senior Director of Programs & Policy. “This new, bipartisan budget shows the ag community also has strong partners in the the State Capitol, providing meaningful support as dairy businesses work to expand their operations and their sales.”
The budget increases funding for the popular Dairy Processor Grant Program from base funding of $400,000 to a total of $1.2 million over the biennium. These grants long-supported by the Evers Administration and championed this term in the Legislature by Rep. Todd Novak (R-Dodgeville) and Sen. Eric Wimberger (R-Oconto), help small- and medium-sized dairy processors with facility modernization and employee training.
“These targeted, small-dollar grants offer valuable support for companies like mine as we work to innovate - and maintain Wisconsin’s reputation as a global leader in dairy processing,” said Andy Hatch, chair of WCMA’s Policy Committee and owner of Uplands Cheese of Dodgeville. “We’re pleased that this budget expands access to these grants, so more dairy businesses can maximize their growth and their positive impact on their communities.”
With support from the Governor and Senate Minority Leader Dianne Hesselbein (D-Middleton), the budget directs $10 million to the Food Security Initiative over the biennium, supporting local hunger relief organizations’ purchases of Wisconsin dairy products, as well as meat and produce. It also directs $3 million to the Tribal Elder Food Security program.
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