Wisconsin Ag Connection - WMMB Directors Approve Annual Budget

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WMMB Directors Approve Annual Budget
Wisconsin Ag Connection - 04/20/2015

Directors of the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board have voted to approve the organization's annual budget for Fiscal Year 2016. The check-off funded program announced that its $30.3 million budget will focus on in-state and national cheese and dairy product promotion; retail, food processing and foodservice marketing and education programs; national communications activities and administrative budgets.

Last year, WMMB had $28.8 million to work with in its total yearly budget. This year's funding is about $1.5 million more due to increased revenue from a boost in the state's milk production.

"Our goal, and the goal of all Wisconsin dairy farmers, is to grow the demand for Wisconsin's dairy products," says WMMB Board Chair Connie Seefeldt. "This budget and the projects outlined support that mission while continuing to support our schools and nutrition education, and continue to expand the market opportunities for our products."

Next year's budget will continue to build on successful programs and activities like national cheese advertising and public relations, in-school nutrition education programs conducted by the Wisconsin Dairy Council and statewide promotion programs for fluid milk and other Wisconsin dairy products. Promotional support for statewide June Dairy Month events, the Tour of America's Dairyland cycling series and Wisconsin State Fair activities and various farm shows will also continue.

Other in-state seasonal activities will include sponsorship of the WIAA high school state tournaments and other sports-oriented marketing promotions involving teams at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, UW-Green Bay and Marquette University.

At the national level, activities include retail and foodservice promotions, buyer education, manufacturer/marketer co-op product demos, point-of-sale information and in-store Wisconsin Cheese signage. Expanding Wisconsin identification on more retail cheese packaging is also included in the plan as well as an increased focus on having more Wisconsin Cheese used in the pizza, burgers, and sandwich segments.

Meanwhile, the budget will maintain its support for Wisconsin's Alice in Dairyland program and the year-round promotion activities conducted by 63 County Dairy Leader Groups

The spending package will take affect as of July 1.

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