Wisconsin Ag Connection - Walker Signs Bill to Make Cheese Official State Dairy Product

Wisconsin Ag News Headlines

Walker Signs Bill to Make Cheese Official State Dairy Product
Wisconsin Ag Connection - 06/02/2017

Fourth-graders at Mineral Point Elementary School got to see state government in action this week, and it was all because of them. On Thursday, Governor Scott Walker signed a bill that designates cheese as Wisconsin's official dairy product after students in Mrs. Livia Doyle's class originally came up with the idea in school.

After pitching the concept to local lawmakers earlier this year, the students attended an official committee hearing at the State Capitol in March to testify in support of the designation.

"Wisconsin is America's Dairyland and it's only fitting we designate cheese as our official state dairy product," Walker said during a bill signing ceremony at the school. "With this designation, we're giving cheese the recognition it deserves. Today, we celebrate the efforts of our hard-working dairy farmers and cheese makers, who make all of us proud to live in Wisconsin."

Walker also thanked the fourth-graders, saying they felt passionate about their proposal and followed it through the legislative process to make it a reality.

"There is a lot of value in teaching kids the importance of civil engagement," said Rep. Todd Novak, who sponsored the measure on behalf of his young constituents. "These students put in a lot of time and effort into researching their proposal. It has been a privilege to see it through to the next stage of the process."

Meanwhile, cheese takes its place among the list of other state symbols--including the dairy cow, which is designated as the state's domestic animal; and milk, which has been Wisconsin's official state beverage since 1987.

Other Wisconsin Headlines