Wisconsin Initiative for Agricultural Exports (WIAE)

The Wisconsin Initiative for Agricultural Exports was first proposed by Governor Evers in his 2021-23 budget. In December 2021, the Governor signed subsequent legislation (Assembly Bill 314, now 2021 Wisconsin Act 92) which invests up to five million dollars over five years to increase exports of Wisconsin agricultural goods. In collaboration with the Wisconsin Economic Development Cooperation (WEDC), the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) submitted a strategic five-year plan for the funding, named the Wisconsin Initiative for Agricultural Exports, to the Wisconsin Legislature on Decem​ber 31, 2021. ​​

This initiative aims to boost the export of dairy, meat, crop, a​nd other agricultural products by 25 percent by June 2026 and allows DATCP to have flexibility to respond and react to changing market conditions. Planned activities include:

• Enhancing trade promotion activities by expanding curren​t opportunities based on Wisconsin priorities.
• Creating an Export Expansion Grant Program to foster innovation in exporting.
• Designating funds solely for Wisconsin agribusinesses in WEDC’s International Market Access Grant (IMAG) program, which provides pr​ovides assistance to businesses to furth​er their exporting goals.
• Expanding Wisconsin agribusiness eligibility for WEDC’s ExporTech™​ scholarships, which helps Wisconsin companies learn export strategies, best practices, and the mechanics of exporting.   ​