News

Wisconsin budget supports ag exports, dairy processors, research, roads

Wisconsin’s dairy industry will continue to benefit from state budget investments. 

Rebekah Sweeney with the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association tells Brownfield the budget provides $2 million in continued funding for the Wisconsin Initiative for Agricultural Exports (WIAE). “It’s been a tremendous return on investment. Last year, for instance, a 500-thousand dollar investment in dairy exporting endeavors yielded another 100-million dollars in dairy exporting activity out of Wisconsin.” That represents a nearly 200-to-1 return on the state’s investment.

The 2025-2027 biennial budget increases funding for the popular Dairy Processor Grant Program from the previous $400,000 to a total of $1.2 million over the biennium. These grants help small- and medium-sized dairy processors with facility modernization and employee training and have bipartisan support.

Andy Hatch is chair of Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association’s Policy Committee and owner of Uplands Cheese of Dodgeville.  He says these targeted, small-dollar grants offer valuable support for companies working to innovate, and he’s pleased that this budget expands access to these grants.

The state budget directs $10 million to the Food Security Initiative over the biennium, supporting local hunger relief organizations’ purchases of Wisconsin dairy, meat and produce. It also directs $3 million to the Tribal Elder Food Security program.

The budget also continues the $7.8 million per year commitment to support the Dairy Innovation Hub research at three University of Wisconsin campuses, and 150 million over the biennium for the Agricultural Road Improvement Program to assist local governments with road projects. 

A late Wednesday amendment added twenty million dollars for a new Dairy Cattle Innovation Program aimed at helping farmers invest in on-farm technology upgrades and equipment to improve efficiency and animal care. Details of this new program are being developed.

The new state budget passed the Assembly and the State Senate late Wednesday and was signed by Governor Tony Evers shortly after receiving it.  The vote was 59 to 39 in the Assembly and 19-14 in the Senate.

Wisconsin budget items focused on agriculture:

• Dairy Processing Grant Program: $1.2 million allocated to expand dairy processing capacity, drive innovation and improve efficiency.   
• Meat Processor Grants: $1.6 million provided for facility upgrades and improvements.   
• Producer-led Watershed Grants: Continued funding of $2 million to support farmer-led initiatives enhancing soil health and reducing runoff.   
• Cover Crop Insurance Premium Rebate Program: Continued funding of $1.6 million to promote cover crop use for soil health and water quality improvement.   
• Nitrogen Optimization Grant Program: Increased funding to $2 million for farmer-led nitrogen use research to enhance water quality and soil health.   
• Farm Center Mental Health Vouchers: Continued funding of $100,000 to provide mental health support services for farmers and their families.   
• County Conservation Staff: Nearly $30 million to support county conservation staff in implementing agricultural and conservation programs.   
• Food Security Grant Program: $10 million to provide grants to nonprofit food banks in Wisconsin to purchase Wisconsin grown and processed food for those in need.  
• CDL Driver Training Grant Program: $500,000 to cover a portion of tuition costs to train new commercial drivers in Wisconsin.    
• Division of Animal Health Staff: Provides three staff positions to DATCP’s Division of Animal Health to support potential animal disease outbreak coordination and response.