Spring Events Showcase Wisconsin's Dairy Products
Byline: Mona Averbeck, WMMB Director (Fond du Lac, Green Lake and Marquette Counties)

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 fuels our state's economy at the rate of more than $39,000 per minute. 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.

Throughout the year, the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board (WMMB) works with more than 60 grassroots dairy promotion groups from around the state that conduct dozens of local dairy promotions that showcase the Wisconsin dairy industry to our state's residents. These dedicated dairy volunteers – more than 1,400 – present school education programs, 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 bring crowds as they draw consumer attention to dairy and showcase many of Wisconsin's 600 varieties, types and styles of cheese and other nutritious dairy and food products.

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. This year the day-long event will be held on Saturday, March 1, at the Fond du Lac Fairgrounds Recreation Building and will feature over 60 booths with representatives from area and state businesses and organizations involved in all aspects of agriculture.

In celebration of their fifth anniversary, an IndyCar Series racecar will be on display. The car will be accompanied by a "Discover Ethanol" mobile display. This display will feature the environmental benefits of ethanol, production information and how ethanol puts America on the road to energy independence. In addition, a simulator will allow attendees to get the experience of a blazing fast race.

The Ag Showcase begins at 8:30 a.m. and ends at 3:00 p.m. As in previous years, 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 second 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 14, at the Sturgeon Bay Yacht Club, will have the opportunity to taste flavorful wines produced right in Door County and sample many award-winning Wisconsin specialty cheeses. As with the Fond du Lac event, WMMB staff will be available to discuss programs and upcoming promotion activities. The event takes place 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. and admission is $20 at the door. In addition, attendees will enjoy the musical samplings of Mike Raye, a local musician and Southern Door teacher. All proceeds will go towards supporting 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.

These are only two of the many 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 remind consumers just how closely they are tied to our state's signature industry. After all, no matter where you live in Wisconsin, you are part of the dairy business.

Mona Averbeck represents District 16 (Fond du Lac, Green Lake and Marquette Counties) on the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board. Mona and her husband, Bill, their sons, Adam and Louis, and Bill's father, Earl, own and operate a 225-cow dairy operation in Fond du Lac. In addition to milking their 225 Holsteins, the family also farms 500 acres of land. She is actively involved in the Friendship Homemakers Club, Town of Eldorado Board of Appeals, and continues her 17-year involvement as a 4-H Dairy Leader.