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Wisconsin Initiative for Agricultural Exports (WIAE)

The Wisconsin Initiative for Agricultural Exports was first proposed by Governor Evers in his 2021-23 budget. In December 2021, the Governor signed subsequent legislation (Assembly Bill 314, now 2021 Wisconsin Act 92) which invests up to five million dollars over five years to increase exports of Wisconsin agricultural goods. In collaboration with the Wisconsin Economic Development Cooperation (WEDC), the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) submitted a strategic five-year plan for the funding, named the Wisconsin Initiative for Agricultural Exports, to the Wisconsin Legislature on December 31, 2021.

This initiative aims to boost the export of dairy, meat, crop, and other agricultural products by 25 percent by June 2026 and allows DATCP to have flexibility to respond and react to changing market conditions. Planned activities include:

Enhancing trade promotion activities by expanding current opportunities based on Wisconsin priorities.
Creating an Export Expansion Grant Program to foster innovation in exporting.
Designating funds solely for Wisconsin agribusinesses in WEDC's International Market Access Grant (IMAG) program, which provides provides assistance to businesses to further their exporting goals.
Expanding Wisconsin agribusiness eligibility for WEDC's ExporTech™ scholarships, which helps Wisconsin companies learn export strategies, best practices, and the mechanics of exporting.

For more information on the WIAE, sign up for DATCP email updates.

Funding Opportunities

Export Expansion Grants

Note: The 2022 grant recipients were announced in January 2023. See the full release here.

This grant aims to accelerate the growth of Wisconsin dairy, meat, and crop product exports.

International Market Access Grants (IMAG)

Note: The 2022 IMAG recipients were announced in June. Read the full release here.

Coordinated by WEDC, IMAGs provide funding to support a company’s specific export development and deployment strategy. The WIAE expands WEDC’s existing IMAG program by designating funds solely for agribusinesses.

Trade Promotion Activities

As part of the WIAE, the IABC will be hosting several trade promotion activities including trade shows, oubound buyers missions, and inbound buyers missions. For a full list of trade promotion activities, please visit the IABC Calendar of Events.

Wisconsin Agricultural Export Advisory Council (WAXC)

This council will help guide the initiatives created through the WIAE and includes international trade experts from WEDC and DATCP, state legislators, and agriculture organizations and agribusinesses representing crop, dairy, and meat products. The council will meet at least twice per year. These meetings are open to the public, and are expected to have virtual attendance options.

WAXC Charter

WAXC Council Member Biographies

Upcoming Council Meetings: 

March 29, 2023, 9 a.m.

Meeting Agenda

Previous Council Meetings:

Wisconsin Agricultural Export Webinar - February 15, 2023 (Meeting Recording)

Webinar: Food Export Branded Program and Great Lakes & St. Lawrence Seaway - January 11, 2023

Materials: Agricultural Exports Presentation | Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Presentation | Food Export's Presentation

Wisconsin Export Webinar - November 16, 2022. 9 a.m. (Meeting Recording)
Materials: 11/16 Presentation Slides

Council Meeting - September 23, 2022, 9 a.m. (Meeting Recording)
Materials: 9/23 Presentation Slides |  9/23 WAXC Meeting Agenda | 5/4 WAXC Meeting Minutes
Interim Meeting: Freight & Logistics Recap |  Interim Meeting: Export Statistics Recap
13.10 WIAE Funding Request | 2022 Q2 IABC-WI Export Highlights |  2021 IABC-WI Export Highlights
WIAE Trade Promotion Activities | WEDC Trade Ventures  |  Export Expansion Grant Information
Agricultural Exporting Resources | WEDC IMAG Grants Information |  WEDC ExporTech Information