The Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association (WCMA), Madison, Wis., said Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers will address 2019 Cheese Industry Conference attendees as part of the organization’s annual meeting, set for Thursday, April 18, beginning at 12 noon, at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison. Gov. Evers is set to speak about current challenges and opportunities in Wisconsin’s dairy processing industry, as well as his plans to support growth.

In his recently introduced 2019-21 Executive Budget, Evers included an increase in funding for dairy processor grants issued by the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection (DATCP) for innovation, modernization and food safety projects, from $200,000 to $400,000 annually, WCMA noted. He also proposed an allocation of $200,000 to support the Wisconsin Initiative for Dairy Exports program, designed to help build Wisconsin’s dairy brand in international markets and increase dairy exports, and adjustments to DATCP’s expenditure authority that allow the reclassification of staff positions for the retention of key high-quality personnel.

To register to attend, visit CheeseConference.org. Online registration ends on Monday, April 8.