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
Note: The 2022 grant recipients were announced in January 2023. Access the full release here.
This grant aims to accelerate the growth of Wisconsin dairy, meat, and crop product exports.
Note: The 2022 IMAG recipients were announced in June 2022. Access 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 2024 (exact day yet to be confirmed)
Upcoming WAXC Webinars:
November 15, 2023 – ESG and Sustainability
January 17, 2024 – Export Expansion Recap
Previous Council Meetings and Webinars:
Council Meeting - September 6, 2023, 9 a.m. (Meeting Recording)
Materials: 9/16 Presentation Slides | 9/16 WAXC Meeting Agenda | 3/29 WAXC Meeting Minutes | Follow on Instagram: Fork and the Road (Aqilah Al Akeelah)
Wisconsin Agricultural Export Webinar - August 16, 2023, 9 a.m. (Meeting Recording)
Materials: 8/16 Presentation Slides | ExporTech Flyer | ExporTech Virtual Sessions Flyer | ExporTech Results Summary
Council Meeting - March 29, 2023, 9 a.m. (Meeting Recording)
Materials: 3/29 Presentation Slides | 3/29 WAXC Meeting Agenda | 9/23 WAXC Meeting Minutes
EU Food Labeling Information | 2022 IABC-WI Export Highlights
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
Interim Meeting on Export Metrics - August 17, 2022, 9 a.m. (Meeting Recording)
Interim Meeting on Freight and Logistics - July 20, 2022, 9 a.m. (Meeting Recording)
Council Meeting - May 4, 2022, 9 a.m.
Materials: Presentation Slides
Announcements
September 22, 2022: Global Dairy Symposium Registration to Close September 30
August 16, 2022: DATCP Ready to Move Forward After Release of Funds for Agricultural Initiatives
July 6, 2022: DATCP to Host Global Dairy Symposium at World Dairy Expo 2022
June 30, 2022: DATCP, WEDC Announce Agribusinesses Receiving 2022 International Market Access Grants
June 24, 2022: DATCP Announces 2022 Export Expansion Grant Recipients
May 9, 2022: DATCP, WEDC Hold First Wisconsin Agricultural Export Advisory Council Meeting
April 12, 2022: DATCP, WEDC Announce New Wisconsin Agricultural Export Advisory Council
March 2, 2022: WEDC, DATCP Expanding Funding for International Market Access Grants to Agribusinesses
February 21, 2022: DATCP Accepting Applications for Export Expansion Grants through March 18
February 14, 2022: DATCP Secretary Celebrates Record-Breaking Year for Wisconsin Ag Exports, Release of Agricultural Export Funding
December 3, 2021: Gov. Evers Signs Bill to Promote Wisconsin’s Agricultural and Agribusiness Products