Date posted
May
19
The Dairy Business Innovation Alliance (DBIA), a partnership between the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association (WCMA) and the Center for Dairy...
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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
Mar
22
The Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association (WCMA) today applauded Governor Tony Evers for signing Senate Bill 827 into law as Act 207. The legislation,...
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Date posted
Mar
2
The Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association (WCMA) today cheered U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack’s direction of $80...
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Date posted
Feb
23
The Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association (WCMA) today applauded the Wisconsin State Assembly’s unanimous approval of Senate Bill 827,...
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Date posted
Nov
30
Small- to medium-sized dairy farmers, entrepreneurs, and processors in Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin can prepare now to...
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Date posted
Nov
10
The Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association (WCMA) today cheered the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) announcement of $20.2 million in...
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Date posted
Nov
8
The Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association (WCMA) today cheered the Wisconsin Senate’s unanimous vote to invest $5 million to increase the...
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Date posted
Oct
26
The Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association (WCMA) today applauded members of the Wisconsin State Assembly for their unanimous approval of legislation...
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Date posted
Jul
8
Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association (WCMA) members today applauded agricultural investments made in the 2021-23 Wisconsin State Budget. “The...
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Date posted
Jul
1
The Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association (WCMA) today applauded the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) announcement of $20.2 million in...
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Date posted
Jun
22
Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association (WCMA) and Dairy Business Association (DBA) today applauded the Wisconsin State Assembly’s unanimous...
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Date posted
Jun
21
Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association (WCMA), Dairy Business Association (DBA) and 11 other agricultural advocacy organizations today called for quick...
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