The Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association is ringing in June Dairy Month by recognizing five federal and state lawmakers as 'Cheese Champions' for their efforts to support and advance the dairy processing industry.
On the national level, the group is honoring U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin for spearheading the creation of the Dairy Business Innovation Alliance, a federally funded partnership between WCMA and the Center for Dairy Research that provides grants, technical assistance, and educational resources to dairy businesses across the Upper Midwest. Baldwin also authored the Dairy PRIDE Act, which would require the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to enforce its food labeling regulations, and advocated for investments in rural infrastructure including roads and broadband.
At the State Capitol, Senators Joan Ballweg, Howard Marklein and Brad Pfaff, along with Rep. Tony Kurtz were given the award. Ballweg and Kurtz were the lead authors of a proposal to create the $5 million Wisconsin Initiative for Agricultural Exports, which devotes half of all funds to boost dairy exports over the next five years.
Marklein, who represents more dairy processors than any other lawmaker in the state, played an essential role in establishing the Dairy Innovation Hub, and is key to its continued success as co-chair of the Joint Finance Committee. He also authored legislation to require that all products being sold as milk or cheese be made from real dairy, and led efforts to expand broadband to Wisconsin's rural communities.
And Pfaff supported multiple bills identified by WCMA members as top priorities during the 2021-2022 legislative session, including measures to create the WIAE, double dairy processor grant funding, support the Dairy Innovation Hub, and expand rural broadband access.
Categories: Wisconsin, Livestock, Dairy Cattle