(Stoddard, WI) – This morning, Senator Brad Pfaff (D-Onalaska) joined U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai and U.S. Representative Ron Kind (D-WI) on the Servais Farm in Stoddard for a round table with farmers on how international trade and markets impact family farming in Wisconsin.
The panelists spoke about the state of Wisconsin’s agriculture exports and their prospects. According to data compiled by the International Agribusiness Center, Wisconsin exported more than $3.37 billion in agricultural and food products to 145 countries in 2020.
Following the roundtable, Senator Pfaff made the following statement:
“U.S. Trade Rep. Tai’s visit demonstrates the value that our family farms bring not only to the local and state economy but the global marketplace.”
“Trade policies that create new, competitive markets for family farms benefit the agriculture industry and its workers. Wisconsin farmers take pride in creating a product that isn’t found anywhere else in the world. Our cheesemakers produce more than 600 types of cheese—nearly double the number of any other state.”
“The dairy industry itself contributes $45.6 billion to Wisconsin’s economy every year. We want to work together at the state and federal levels of government to create the best opportunities for both our commodity and specialty goods producers. What’s good for farmers is good for Wisconsin.”
“I would like to thank U.S. Trade Rep. Tai for visiting western Wisconsin and Congressman Ron Kind for including me in this important discussion. Continued collaboration between producers and officials at every level of government will help continue growing Wisconsin’s agriculture industry.”
The officials also participated in a morning coffee with members of the Hmong community at the Hmoob Cultural and Community Agency and an afternoon meeting with officials from Organic Valley, the nation’s largest dairy cooperative.