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Evers, DATCP announce investments to support Wis. dairy, meat, and crop exports
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MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers, together with the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP), announced on July 29 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%. 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. 

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

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.