Spring Events Showcase Wisconsin's Dairy Products
Byline: Roger Buresh, WMMB Director and Luxemburg, WI, dairy producer

Wisconsin is America's Dairyland. Our agriculture and dairy industries touch the lives of every state resident in many ways that they might not think about – agriculture provides jobs for almost 420,000 Wisconsin residents and our dairy industry contributes $39,000 per minute back to the state's economy. The quality dairy products we produce are not only available in Wisconsin – most Wisconsin dairy products find their way to grocery stores, restaurants and kitchens across the country.

In addition to our national cheese marketing programs, WMMB works with more than 60 grass-roots dairy promotion groups from around Wisconsin that continually think of new ways to showcase the Wisconsin dairy industry to our state's residents. These dedicated dairy volunteers present educational programs in schools, host top-notch promotional events, and welcome visitors to their dairy operations, all to increase awareness of our state's signature industry. Two such groups from Northeastern Wisconsin are planning March events that will surely draw crowds as they draw consumer attention to dairy and showcase many of Wisconsin's 600 varieties, types and styles of cheese and other agriculture products.

Four years ago, the Fond du Lac Agri-Business Council took their agriculture promotion activities to a new level when they developed the Fond du Lac Agriculture Showcase and Celebration. This year, the day-long event will be held on Saturday, March 3, at the Fond du Lac Fairgrounds Recreation Building and will involve a number of the agricultural industries in the Fond du Lac area.

New for 2007, chefs from four Fond du Lac area restaurants will prepare dishes using REAL Wisconsin Cheese and dairy products. Recipes include Crab Stuffed Brie, Cream of Artichoke Soup, Crème Brulee, Tilapia and Salmon in Cream Sauce. The Ag Showcase begins at 9:00 a.m. and ends at 4:00 p.m. As in the past, visitors will have the opportunity to taste Wisconsin Cheese and learn how dairy and agriculture contribute more than $51 billion to our state's economy every year. In addition, staff members will be on hand to share information on the many ways we promote Wisconsin dairy products across the state and nation. This consumer-focused event is open to the public for a small $1 admission fee. Children 10 and under are free. All proceeds will go towards the Fond du Lac Agri-Business programs that further educate area students about the impact of our state's $20.6 billion dairy industry.

The second event takes place in Door County in mid-March. The first annual Door County Wine and Cheese Gala, hosted by the Southern Door FFA Alumni, will give Northeastern Wisconsin consumers and professionals a better appreciation of the quality food and beverage products produced in Wisconsin. Those who attend the gala event, on Friday, March 16, at the Sturgeon Bay Yacht Club, will have the opportunity to taste flavorful wines produced right in Door County and, of course, sample many award-winning Wisconsin cheeses. As with the Fond du Lac event, WMMB staff will be available to discuss programs and upcoming promotion activities. The event takes place 5-8 p.m. and admission is $20 at the door. All proceeds will go towards the Southern Door FFA Alumni scholarship program which helps students pursue one of the more than 300 career choices available within the Wisconsin dairy industry.

I've mentioned just two of the local events that will take place around Wisconsin in the coming months. I encourage you to take part in the local promotion events in your area and if your schedule allows, visit us at one of these two events. These local promotion events do a fantastic job of reminding consumers just how closely they are tied to dairying. After all, no matter where you live in Wisconsin, you are part of the dairy business.

Roger Buresh is a WMMB director representing Brown, Kewaunee and Door counties. Roger and his wife, Barb, and their sons, Jeff and Joe, own and operate a 500-cow dairy operation in Luxemburg. Jeff and Joe represent the fifth generation of family that has farmed at their current location. The farm has been in the Buresh family since 1876. In addition to milking their 500 Holsteins, the family also farms nearly 1,000 acres.