The information below has been supplied by dairy marketers and other industry organizations. It has not been edited, verified or endorsed by Hoard's Dairyman.

The Dairy Business Association, Wisconsin’s leading dairy advocacy group, thanks Gov. Tony Evers for signing the Agricultural Road Improvement Program legislation into law today. This new program creates grants for local governments to improve deteriorating rural infrastructure serving our farms and rural communities.

Action last week by the Joint Committee on Finance provided $150 million in funding for the newly created program. The effort to support long-term investment in our state’s agricultural infrastructure was led by the Committee’s co-chairs, Sen. Marklein and Rep. Born, as well as the bill’s authors, Sens. Marklein, R-Spring Green, Tomczyk, R-Mosinee, and Ballweg, R-Markesan, and Reps. Tranel, R-Cuba City, and VanderMeer, R-Tomah.

Lee Kinnard

“Our state’s farmers move millions of gallons of milk — a perishable product — across our rural infrastructure 365 days a year,” said Lee Kinnard, DBA President. “It is essential that the infrastructure they use meets the needs of Wisconsin’s dairy farm families, supporting our rural communities.”

We look forward to working with the Department of Transportation as a partner as we move on to the next phase of program implementation.

This issue was a key priority for DBA entering the state budget process. Additional DBA budget priorities awaiting action by the Joint Committee on Finance include funding for the relocated Farm and Industry Short Course program at UW River Falls and funding to update and modernize the Farmland Preservation Program.

“Wisconsin’s dairy farmers appreciate the recognition that our rural infrastructure needs a long-term solution,” Kinnard said. “We offer our sincerest thanks to members of the legislature and the Governor for investing in the infrastructure needed to keep Wisconsin dairy an economic driver for generations to come.”