Wisconsin Ag Connection - WMMB Directors Approve Annual Budget

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WMMB Directors Approve Annual Budget
Wisconsin Ag Connection - 04/29/2013

Directors of the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board have voted to approve the organization's annual budget for Fiscal Year 2014. The check-off funded program announced that just under half of the $29.6 million budget will focus on state and national communications and promotions for the coming year.

Last year, WMMB had $30.3 million to work with in its total yearly budget. This year's funding was $669,000 lower due to fewer carry forward funds in the newly approved spending plan.

"As dairy farmers, we realize how important it is to ensure that our checkoff dollars are wisely invested in promotion, education and research that generate results in the marketplace and represent the broad diversity of our farms, our products and our industry," says WMMB Board Chair Connie Seefeldt.

Next year's budget will continue to build on successful programs and activities like in-state and national cheese and dairy product promotion; retail, food processing and foodservice marketing and education programs; national communications activities and administrative budgets.

Meanwhile, the budget also continues support for the Alice in Dairyland program and year-round promotion activities conducted by 63 County Dairy Leader Groups. The half-hour America's Dairyland TV series, weekly Wisconsin Dairy News segments and a new dairy-related segment of Into The Outdoors children's educational television are also included next year.

Administration costs to run WMMB represents about four-percent of the total budget at nearly $1.1 million. Capital Appropriations funding for the coming year totals about $64,000; and the Contingency Fund will save $227,000.

The spending package will take affect as of July 1.

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