Gov. Evers, DATCP Announce Investments to Support Wisconsin Dairy, Meat, and Crop Exports

Wisconsin Initiative for Agricultural Exports to continue expanding key Wisconsin exports through bipartisan budget signed by Gov. Evers this month

MADISON - Gov. Tony Evers, together with the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP), today announced the third round of Export Expansion Grants that will support seven projects focused on expanding dairy, meat, and crop exports. The grants are funded through the Wisconsin Initiative for Agricultural Exports (WIAE) created by Gov. Evers in 2021 to help boost the export of dairy, meat, crop, and other products by 25 percent. Under Gov. Evers’ leadership, according to the WIAE, Wisconsin is currently ranked 12th in the nation for agricultural exports by state, up from 13th in 2021. Today, under Gov. Evers’ leadership, Wisconsin well on its way to becoming a top 10 state in the country for agricultural exports.

“I’m proud that Wisconsin has achieved the highest agricultural exports on record under my administration. The Wisconsin Initiative for Agricultural Exports has played an important role in this effort as my administration works to support our farmers, producers, and businesses toward making Wisconsin a top 10 state for agricultural exports,” said Gov. Evers. “I’m glad the bipartisan state budget I signed this month invests in this critical program to help ensure Wisconsin’s $116 billion agriculture industry continues to be strong for future generations. Here in ‘America’s Dairyland,’ we’re incredibly proud of our farmers, our agricultural industries, and our rural communities. These investments will help ensure we build upon my administration’s success, continue to strengthen this critical industry, and remain national and international leaders in exports that help contribute to Wisconsinites’ and our state’s economic success.”

Gov. Evers has long been a champion for Wisconsin’s farm families, agricultural and farm industries, and rural communities. Building upon his work over the past six years to support agricultural industries in Wisconsin, Gov. Evers recently signed the 2025-27 Biennial Budget, which included ongoing funding for the WIAE program to continue to support farmers and producers wanting to expand into new markets and increase output and help Wisconsin navigate international markets for agriculture, forestry, and food products. This comes as Wisconsin farmers and producers continue to face growing uncertainty due to President Trump and the Trump Administration’s reckless trade wars and tariff taxes that affect Wisconsin farmers and producers.

A total of $315,649 was awarded in this round of Export Expansion Grants to not-for-profit organizations located in Wisconsin that currently serve Wisconsin agribusinesses. All projects must be completed by May 1, 2026. Recipients must provide cash or in-kind matching funds equal to 20 percent of the grant award.

The following organizations received Export Expansion Grants in this cycle: 

• Center for Dairy Research (University of Wisconsin) – $62,768: Develop dairy products expected to be competitive in international markets through the analysis of current market products from selected countries.
• Green County Development Corporation – $62,770: Study barriers and provide technical assistance to producers interested in accessing international markets.
• University of Wisconsin–River Falls – $41,766: Study effects of potential retaliatory tariffs on U.S. dairy exports, identify potential emerging markets with less risk of tariffs, and assess Wisconsin producers’ readiness to enter those markets.
• Wisconsin Beef Council – $30,000: Continue education efforts and promotion of beef in Central America, working with the U.S. Meat Export Federation.
• Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association – $62,770: Expand consultative services, technical support for marketing campaigns, shipping and logistics costs for buyer samples, in-store demo costs, and retail sampling and merchandising.
• Wisconsin Potato and Vegetable Growers Association – $30,000: Explore new markets and promote Wisconsin fresh, chipping, and seed potatoes in Mexico.
• Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (University of Wisconsin) – $25,575: Provide export promotion and buyer training to grow the export market in Tanzania for Wisconsin-produced bovine semen and embryos. 

The first two rounds of funding for Export Expansion Grants totaled over $1.7 million across 22 projects.  

EVERS ADMINISTRATION’S EFFORTS TO BOLSTER WISCONSIN’S AGRICULTURAL INDUSTRIES

Gov. Evers, over the past six years, has secured critical investments for farmers, producers, and their families, including supporting the state’s meat and dairy producers, investing in farmer mental health resources, and bolstering Wisconsin’s exports worldwide. Gov. Evers recognizes that Wisconsin’s $116 billion agricultural industry is as critical to the state economy as it is to Wisconsin’s heritage and culture, and ensuring its continued growth and success for generations to come will be critical to ensuring Wisconsin’s continued growth and success.    

In addition to funding to continue the WIAE included in the most recent 2025-27 Biennial Budget signed by Gov. Evers earlier this month, this budget builds upon efforts of the Evers Administration to date to support Wisconsin’s agricultural industry and proud heritage as “America’s Dairyland,” by providing:   

• $150 million to continue support for the Agricultural Roads Improvement Program, created by Gov. Evers in the 2023-25 biennium, ensuring the ongoing improvement Wisconsin’s rural roads to help farmers and producers and the state’s agricultural and forestry industries move products to market safely and efficiently;
• $30 million of the $150 million secured for ARIP will be specifically targeted to bridge and culvert repair to help improve and repair deteriorating bridges across the state.
• $20 million to create a new state program designed to support dairy and agriculture resilience;
• $10 million to continue the Food Security Initiative, a program created by Gov. Evers that connects local nonprofit food assistance programs, such as food pantries, with local producers to keep shelves stocked;  
• $3 million to continue the Tribal Elder Food Security program that helps Tribal elders access nutritious, culturally relevant food while supporting Wisconsin producers; 
• $800,000 to increase the available funding for the successful Dairy Processor Grant Program; 
• $1 million to bolster and support the Meat Processor Grant Program;
• Over $2.4 million over the biennium for the Meat Inspection Program to ensure meat products are produced safely and match nutrition labels; 
• $200,000 to support farmers and their families’ mental health; 
• $500,000 to increase funding for the Producer-Led Watershed Protection Grant Program, which helps enable producers and producer-led groups to implement nonpoint source pollution abatement strategies to improve Wisconsin’s soil and water quality;  
• $2 million to continue the commercial Nitrogen Optimization Pilot Program, which aims to protect vital soil and water resources; and 
• An additional $1.6 million to support the cover crop insurance program, which helps assists farmers with rebates of $5 per acre of a cover crop planted for crop insurance premiums paid on those acres. 

Additionally, Gov. Evers, who began 2025 by declaring it the Year of the Kid in Wisconsin, has been clear from the beginning of this biennial budget process that his top priority in the 2025-27 Biennial Budget would be to pass a pro-kid budget that makes meaningful investments in Wisconsin’s kids at every stage and every age, from early childhood to K-12 to our higher education institutions, as well as supporting our agricultural industry and the dedicated farmers and farm families that lead it. More information about the bipartisan pro-kid budget signed by Gov. Evers is available here. 

An online version of this release is available here.