A Cheese Plant In Downtown Milwaukee? | Farm Report with Pam Jahnke

Posted: 12.23.2010

It could happen thanks to the latest rounds of "Buy Local, Buy Wisconsin" grants presented by Governor Jim Doyle.

Wisconsin Ag Secretary, Randy Romanski, visited with Farm Director, Pam Jahnke, about the grants - and what new markets might be opened up for all of Wisconsin agriculture.

$177,700 will be distributed to five different companies around the state - including Clock Shadow Creamery in Milwaukee. Cedar Grove Cheese, Inc. is receiving $45,000 to develop Clock Shadow Creamery.

"This project would bring an urban cheese factory to downtown Milwaukee," Romanski explains. "We're talking about taking Wisconsin agriculture out to the world - this project takes Wisconsin agriculture right into the city of Milwaukee. I think that's a really neat opportunity to open up another market place." Romanski says the Clock Shadow Creamery, spearheaded by Cedar Grove Cheese and Master Cheesemaker, Bob Wills, would do more then just produce cheese and teach consumers where their food comes from. The plans also include providing training for urban workers and using innovative environmenatlly responsible manufacturing techniques.

Romanski admits that the "buy local" movement has definitely opened up markets and relationships in the state - but many more growers depend on international markets for their profit.

Wisconsin agriculture has really been a bright spot overall for the states economy. "It's a big world, and what everyone's embraced is that there's destinations beyond our borders for Wisconsin's products," Romanski says the latest numbers show Wisconsin agriculture alone moved $1.7 billion of goods to over 150 different countries. "2010 has been a huge recovery year for Wisconsin's agricultural exports. There was a 37 percent increase in agricultural exports alone in Wisconsin - that's an all time high for the first nine months of any year."

Here are the other "Buy Local, Buy Wisconsin" grant recipients:

Northside Planning Council, Inc., Madison - $45,000
The Northside Planning Council, Inc. is receiving $45,000 to develop the Food Enterprise & Economic Development of Madison (FEED Madison) Co-Packing Service. This initiative will allow growers in Dane, Sauk, Columbia, and Rock counties to increase their sale possibilities by being able to offer packaged, processed, and value-added products through wholesale and retail outlets.

Neesvig’s, Inc., Windsor - $45,000

Neesvig's Inc. is receiving $45,000 to employ a fulltime associate focused solely on researching Wisconsin suppliers and farms that sell and produce products for the local food service community. The position will allow this distributor to develop a model for sustainable local food program for distribution companies.

Coolwater Farms, LLC - $25,000

Coolwater Farms, LLC is receiving $25,000 to develop methods for efficiently transporting and processing fish being raised by small Wisconsin fish farms that cannot efficiently process their own products. This project will also promote the sale of locally raised Wisconsin seafood products.

West Central Wisconsin Community Action Agency, Inc., – $17,700

The West Central Wisconsin Community Action Agency, Inc. will receive $17,700 to establish a regional Local Foods Buying Club network, in partnership with supportive institutions and businesses, to expand marketing of local products to both individuals and institutions. This producer-managed network will establish an efficient local supply chain for production, processing, and distribution.

To learn more about local food system development, all are encouraged to attend the fifth annual Wisconsin Local Food Summit at the Osthoff Resort in Elkhart Lake on January 13 and 14, 2011. There will be presentations, breakout sessions, and group discussions. To register or learn more, visit http://wisconsinlocalfood.wetpaint.com/.

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