Wisconsin Dairy Processors Applaud State Budget Investments
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.
“Dairy farmers and dairy processors are driven by a desire to provide delicious, nutritious dairy products to feed their neighbors – and that includes their neighbors in need,” said JD Greenwalt, General Manager of WCMA member Westby Cooperative Creamery. “Our business, and others like ours, are glad this budget offers the opportunity for us to continue to partner with nonprofits across Wisconsin to address food insecurity.”
The budget allocates an additional $150 million over the biennium to the Agricultural Roads Improvement Program (ARIP), continuing a successful initiative first funded in the 2023-2025 state budget. Across previous grant offerings, roughly three-quarters of all awarded ARIP grant dollars have supported construction projects that, at least in part, benefit dairy businesses and their rural communities. Joint Finance Committee Co-Chair Senator Howard Marklein (R-Spring Green) and Representative Travis Tranel (R-Cuba City) led the charge to provide 2025-27 funding for the program.
“Investing in Wisconsin’s rural roads is critical for the long-term strength, stability, and success of our business and our industry – and the entire food supply chain,” said Scott Caliebe, chief financial officer of WCMA member Pine River Pre-Pack of Newton, which benefited from a previous ARIP grant. “We’re already seeing the positive impact of this funding in our community, and we’re grateful for this continued investment.”
The budget provides $2 million in continued funding for the Wisconsin Initiative for Agricultural Exports (WIAE) over the biennium, a program with a proven record of boosting the state’s engagement in foreign markets. In 2024 alone, Wisconsin dairy exports jumped by nearly $100 million, exceeding a total value of $406 million, which represents a nearly 200-to-1 return on the state’s investment. Funding for this initiative has been championed by Joint Finance Committee Vice Chair Rep. Tony Kurtz (R-Wonewoc), Sen. Jesse James (R-Thorp), and Rep. Todd Novak (R-Dodgeville).
“The Wisconsin Initiative for Agricultural Exports helps businesses like ours grow our share of the global marketplace by navigating practical barriers and building valuable connections in overseas markets,” noted Kim Heiman, president of WCMA’s Board of Directors and of Nasonville Dairy, which operates in Marshfield and Curtiss, exporting products worldwide. “We appreciate this show of continued commitment to strengthening Wisconsin’s dairy industry."
The 2025-27 state budget includes $7.8 million per year to support the Dairy Innovation Hub, which harnesses cutting-edge research and development at three University of Wisconsin campuses.
It further provides $360 million for childcare programming, an amount that will help Wisconsin retain services critical to workforce engagement.
“We’re grateful for the collaborative nature of this budget process, which yielded major wins for Wisconsin’s dairy processors - wins that will benefit the entire state. From export opportunities and plant expansions to cutting-edge research and critical infrastructure improvements, this budget sets the stage for continued industry growth in the years ahead,” said Sweeney.