The column below reflects the views of the author, and these opinions are neither endorsed nor supported by WisOpinion.com.

Wisconsin truly is America’s Dairyland, and we are proud of it! Our state is home to 5,000 dairy farms – the most in the country! Wisconsin’s dairy industry alone contributes $53 billion to our economy annually, making this industry so crucial for the success of our state. While dairy is an important economic driver here in Wisconsin, dairy farming is more than just a career – it’s a way of life that is so worthy of our support.

Having grown up on a family dairy farm – a Century farm, no less – I have a deep respect and appreciation for dairy farmers and their important contributions to our state. My personal connection to dairy farming is a big part of what drives me to fight for family farms, learn more about the innovations in the industry, and to put forward legislation to support them. This session, I was proud to serve on the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Revenue, which provided me with an excellent opportunity to advocate for the legacy of family farming.

Since June is National Dairy Month, I want to highlight just three bills I authored or supported in an effort to provide some help for our dairy farmers, processors, and retailers this past session – and the status of the bills.

I was an author of Senate Bill 1146, which would have required the Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection (DATCP) to create a Dairy Agriculture Resilience Investment Now Grant (DARING) program under which grants would be administered to dairy producers with under 1,000 milking cows. The grant money is to be used to improve their operational efficiency and resiliency. This bill was not scheduled for a hearing by the Republican party in charge, so it died in committee.

Additionally, I was the lead author of Senate Bill 829, which would have helped support local producers and businesses by expanding the reach of two specialized state programs that help local producers process, market, and distribute products. This was a two-part bill.

First, it would have increased funding for the competitive “Buy Local, Buy Wisconsin” grant program, which helps agricultural and food industries efficiently get their products to local stores, schools, and institutions. Since this program’s inception, more than 635 applications have been submitted for the grants, but just 134 projects have been funded. The demand is clearly there, and this bill would have increased the amount of grants available to local Wisconsin producers!

Secondly, SB 829 increases funding for the “Something Special from Wisconsin” grant program, which aims to create and sustain credibility for the incredible goods produced in Wisconsin. It does this through giving members a business profile on the “Something Special from Wisconsin” website and by putting the identifiable program logo on products’ packaging, making it clear that it is a Wisconsin-made product. You might recognize this logo from some of your favorite products! (For example, Carr Valley Cheese and Sassy Cow Creamery – both local to District 14 – are a part of the program). The support of “Something Special from Wisconsin” allows local producers to more efficiently market and distribute their quality goods. Under current Republican leadership, this bill did not get a hearing either, so it died in committee.

The final bill I wanted to highlight is Senate Bill 323. This Republican-authored bill would have created a Dairy Cattle Innovation Program under which DATCP would provide no-interest loans to eligible milk producers in Wisconsin. Loans could be used for things like improving farm efficiencies, minimizing environmental effects from nutrient management, and expanding dairy operation capacity. The loans under this program could not exceed $500,000 and must have a term of 10 years. Recipients must have 999 or fewer animal units and meet other specified criteria.

I voted “yes” on SB 323, and it passed unanimously in the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Revenue. Then, the Senate passed SB 323 on the Senate floor on a voice vote, and I voted “yes” again. However, Speaker Vos (the leader of the Assembly) never scheduled this bill for a floor vote in the Assembly before the end of the session, so SB 323 also died.

As you can see, I have been involved in legislative efforts to help our smaller farmers, but they have not received adequate Republican (majority party) support to move them to the Governor’s desk. I am hopeful that next session, we can actually pass bills to better support our vital dairy industry! Supporting our farmers and agriculture is and always will remain a top priority for me.

Keyeski, D-Lodi, represents the 14th Senate District.