The Madison-based Cooperative Network was among 13 recipients to be awarded an Export Expansion Grants by the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture. Aimed at accelerating the growth of Wisconsin dairy, meat, and crop products, the funds aim to develop a new agriculture export education portal on the CN website; incorporate export education and awareness into association seminars, webinars and conferences; and direct cooperatives to export education and training events.
"Cooperative Network is very pleased to be awarded an Export Expansion Grant," said President and CEO Daniel Smith. "We plan to use the funds to help facilitate increased cooperative engagement in export activities as part of our association's cooperative economic objectives."
CN works in support of hundreds of cooperatives large and small from a dozen business sectors in Wisconsin and Minnesota, all of which play an essential role in the economic well-being of each state. These sectors produce goods and services through farm production, farm supply, grain marketing, ethanol production, dairy marketing and processing, financial services, livestock genetics, meat processing, mutual insurance, telecommunications, electrical power and distribution, and other services.
Wisconsin agricultural exports reached an all-time high of $3.96 billion in 2021. Through the Wisconsin Initiative for Agricultural Exports, the state is working collaboratively with the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation to build on that momentum.
Categories: Wisconsin, Business