MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers today kicked off June Dairy Month with his weekly radio address and shared a video message celebrating the strength of the state’s dairy industry, thanking dairy farmers, producers, and processors, and highlighting his administration’s efforts to support and uplift Wisconsin’s farmers, their families, and the dairy industry over the past seven years. Throughout the month of June, Gov. Evers will be visiting dairy farmers, processors, producers, and agricultural industry leaders to celebrate.
Wisconsin’s dairy industry is a significant part of the state’s cultural heritage and a central driver of the state’s economic future. Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP), Wisconsin is home to approximately 1.3 million dairy cows and more than 5,000 dairy farms—more than any other state—and the dairy industry contributes $52.8 billion annually to Wisconsin’s economy.
The governor’s radio address and video message recognizing June Dairy Month is available below. A full transcript is also available below.
Hey there, folks. Governor Tony Evers here.
Folks, they don’t call Wisconsin “America’s Dairyland” for nothing. Our dairy industry is a proud part of our state’s heritage and tradition, representing our past, present, and future successes.
And throughout the past seven years, my administration and I have worked hard to support Wisconsin’s booming dairy industry, as well as our farmers and producers who make it all happen.
We supported research at the Dairy Hub and Center for Dairy Research at UW-Madison, created the Wisconsin Initiative for Agricultural Exports, bolstered funding for the Agricultural Roads Improvement Program, and so much more.
I was also proud to increase funding for our successful dairy processor grants and continue support for farmer mental health services to make sure farmers and their families have the support they need.
Folks, we know that farmers are struggling.
Whether it’s trade wars or the war in Iran causing chaos on exports and rising prices on equipment, feed, and gas, cuts to critical federal programs, or unprecedented and unpredictable weather, it’s been tough.
But our dairy farmers have been the backbone of our state and our economy for generations, and here in Wisconsin, we will not turn our backs on them now.
We’re going to keep working every day to ensure our farmers, producers, and processors have the support they need to be successful and to ensure Wisconsin stays on top as “America’s Dairyland.”
And this month, we’re proud to celebrate the hardworking folks who make it all happen.
The folks who churn out the best ice cream, produce the best darn cheese in the world, and who have helped make Wisconsin the great place it is to call home.
So, I encourage Wisconsinites to join me in celebrating June Dairy Month by supporting our local dairy farmers and producers.
Pick up that pint of ice cream, treat yourself to some cheese curds—fresh or fried, and let’s celebrate all that makes Wisconsin, Wisconsin.
Happy June Dairy Month, folks!
EVERS ADMINISTRATION’S EFFORTS TO SUPPORT FARMERS AND BOLSTER WISCONSIN’S AGRICULTURAL INDUSTRIES
Since 2019, Gov. Evers 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 more than $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 the continued growth and success of the entire state.
Gov. Evers has long been a champion for Wisconsin’s farm families, agricultural and farm industries, and rural communities, including creating the , and according to DATCP, also previously created the provide assistance to Wisconsinites in navigating state programs and resources tailored to rural communities, businesses, and workers.
The governor has also long advocated for increasing funding for meat and dairy processing to support the state’s supply chain and important initiatives, such as supporting farmer mental health through increased funding for DATCP’s In the 2019-21 Biennial Budget, Gov. Evers also in 2020, Gov. Evers directed $100 million in federal funding to support Wisconsin farmers in all 72 counties through the Wisconsin Farm Support Program.
Gov. Evers knows that farmers, farm families, and producers have been the backbone of the state for generations, so when President Donald Trump announced reckless tariff taxes and started picking fights with Wisconsin’s largest export partners, hurting Wisconsin’s economy and farmers, and driving up costs for gas and groceries, the governor got right to work. Gov. Evers proposed a state budget that would have.
While Republicans in the Wisconsin State Legislature removed many of Gov. Evers innovative proposals to support Wisconsin’s agricultural industry and proud heritage as “America’s Dairyland,” the final 2025-27 Biennial Budget signed by Gov. Evers last year builds upon efforts of the Evers Administration by providing:
- Ongoing funding for the Wisconsin Initiative for Agricultural Exports 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;
- $150 million to continue support for the Agricultural Roads Improvement Program (ARIP), created by Gov. Evers in the 2023-25 biennium, ensuring the ongoing improvement of 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 assist farmers with rebates of $5 per acre of a cover crop planted for crop insurance premiums paid on those acres.
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