Cows are the Stars in Five-Month Wisconsin Parade
Byline: Mary Wackershauser, WMMB Director and Lancaster, WI, dairy producer

Wisconsin dairy producers understand the economic contribution that our cows make to our families, our businesses, and our communities. But it's becoming more and more important that all residents of Wisconsin understand just how important cows are to their lives and the role that our dairy business plays in the economic health of their communities and state.

Today's modern dairy business, which includes our farms, our manufacturing plants, our product marketers, and hundreds of other businesses that provide support services, is considered one of the most advanced in the world. In addition to contributing $20.6 billion each year to our state economy, dairy supports more than 300 different professions in areas such as production systems, animal sciences, biotechnology, equipment engineering and manufacturing, marketing and business/financial services.

In our state, people working in agriculture and the dairy business make up over 12 percent of Wisconsin's total workforce. Unlike many industries, the jobs created by dairy businesses bring long-term stability to local employment bases, and most of the revenue generated by dairy farms stays within the local economy.

As we approach the tourism season and prepare for all of the local June Dairy Month celebrations that will be taking place in communities across the state, the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board (WMMB) is finalizing plans for a special event that will help spread the word about the importance of cows in our lives. Beginning in June, a herd of 101 very special cows are coming to America's Dairyland, joining the more than 1.2 million dairy cows that already reside throughout the state.

From June through October, CowParade Wisconsin 2006 — the world's largest public art event — will put cows front and center in the eyes and minds of more than a million state residents and visitors. Over 80 artists, professional and amateur, from throughout Wisconsin and the Midwest, including three of our state's dairy producers, are painting and decorating life-sized fiberglass cows in preparation for the CowParade.

The Capital City of Madison and surrounding communities will serve as an urban pasture for most of the CowParade herd, which will be displayed along streets, in parks and near landmarks. One cow will even be on display in the rotunda of the State Capitol Building.

Although CowParade Wisconsin is being coordinated by WMMB on a statewide basis, many other businesses and organizations are stepping up to be part of this five-month celebration by helping to sponsor individual cows and getting involved in local and regional events. Each CowParade cow will have a plaque affixed to its 300-pound base with the names of the artist and sponsoring organization as well as a key information fact about Wisconsin's dairy business.

Throughout the summer and fall months, a herd of three cows will travel the state, stopping at fairs, dairy breakfasts and other public events and community celebrations. This "Cow Tour" is being coordinated by the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (WDATCP), and is coordinated by DATCP and the state's 4-H and FFA Foundations. The traveling herd is made possible by Kwik Trip.

Many of the more than 60 County Dairy Leader Groups throughout the state are also conducting promotional activities that highlight cows in their communities. For example, the dairy promotion group in Grant County, Wisconsin, is sponsoring a school cow-painting contest using miniature versions of the life-sized herd. Miniature CowParade figurines will also be used at some county fairs in place of trophies and ribbons. These localized activities are all designed to draw attention to the tremendous economic contribution that cows, milk, cheese and other dairy products make to the lives and livelihoods of our citizens.

To stay current on all of Wisconsin CowParade activities throughout the summer and fall, visit the CowParade website. Or better yet, plan to visit the herd this summer and fall either in Madison or at one of the events throughout the state featuring the traveling cows. Look for the CowParade Wisconsin Official Event Guide and Map in this issue of Agri-View. You can also go online to request your own copy of this 20-plus page guide. CowParade Wisconsin will be on display from June 3 to October 13, 2006.

"The Tank" by artist Larry Schultz of Milton is one of 101 cows that will be on display from June 3 to October 13 as part of CowParade Wisconsin.