Date posted
Mar
7
Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association (WCMA) is applauding news that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is today releasing...
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WCMA: A Strong Voice for the Dairy Industry
WCMA is a strong voice for dairy manufacturers and their suppliers at both the state and federal government level, advocating for members' interests related to food safety and production, business-friendly policy, immigration reform, trade opportunity, transportation support, milk pricing - and much more.
What's New?
Take Action Now to Save Dairy Business Innovation Initiatives
For years, the Dairy Business Innovation (DBI) Initiatives have helped dairy farmers and processors across the country invest in new products, improve their businesses, enter new markets and create opportunities for growth.
Since the program was established by Congress, the four regional DBI Initiatives have awarded more than $106 million to 911 dairy businesses across 41 states and territories, representing approximately 87% of the nation’s milkshed.
For the first time since the DBI program was established, USDA’s latest funding opportunity requires the four existing DBI Initiatives to provide a 25% cost-share. The organizations administering the initiatives - public universities, a state agency of agriculture and a nonprofit trade association - do not have the resources to meet this new requirement.
To be clear: without a change, the new cost-share requirement makes it financially unworkable for the existing initiatives to continue operating.
Congress created DBI to strengthen the competitiveness and resilience of America’s dairy industry - and now, Congress needs to hear from you!
CONTACT YOUR LAWMAKERS NOW
Additional Advocacy Resources
WCMA hosts regular legislative tours of manufacturing facilities and lobbying days for members. To set up or participate in one of these impactful events, contact WCMA Senior Director of Programs & Policy Rebekah Sweeney.
The WCMA Board of Directors and the WCMA Policy Committee, together with WCMA staff, work to develop formal policy positions on a broad range of issues. Learn more about our federal and state positions in the statements below.
Ready to get involved? Email WCMA Senior Director of Programs & Policy Rebekah Sweeney.
Date posted
Feb
26
Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association (WCMA) today sent a letter calling on U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Brooke Rollins to...
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Date posted
Feb
5
Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association (WCMA) members today praised Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers’ efforts to invest in dairy innovation,...
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Date posted
Feb
5
Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association (WCMA) today applauded investments of $77.8 million in rural road improvement projects benefiting Wisconsin...
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Date posted
Jan
7
Congressional committee assignments have been announced for 2025, with a host of new members joining agricultural committees. The Senate Committee...
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Date posted
Dec
11
Nearly four dozen dairy businesses across the Midwest have been awarded grants through the Dairy Business Innovation Alliance (DBIA), a partnership...
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Date posted
Nov
19
Following the introduction of the U.S. Senate’s Rural Prosperity and Food Security Act, Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association (WCMA) is calling...
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Date posted
Nov
12
Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association (WCMA) today shared a statement following the release of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Final...
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Date posted
Oct
28
The Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association (WCMA) today cheered the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) direction of $15 million to expand...
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Date posted
Aug
2
Silent as a shrug, the dairy industry appears quietly accepting of the changes to milk pricing formulas for Class 3 and 4 milk in the July 1...
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Date posted
Jul
31
Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association (WCMA) today applauded investments of $33.6 million in rural road improvement projects benefiting Wisconsin...
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Date posted
Jul
11
Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association (WCMA) today applauded the United States Senate Appropriations Committee to boost funding for key dairy...
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