Contact:
Tony Hozeny, 608/267-9661
MADISON – Gov. Jim Doyle today announced that announced that four Wisconsin dairy producers have received Department of Commerce (Commerce) funding to expand their operations.
“My Grow Wisconsin plan calls for investing in our agricultural industry to improve prospects for future growth and development,” said Gov. Doyle. “By providing low-interest loans to dairy producers seeking to expand their milk production capacity, we help Wisconsin cheesemakers have a supply of high-quality Wisconsin milk that will allow them to continue to meet the demands of the cheese market.”
The projects are as follows:
Joseph L. Thome, Malone, Fond du Lac County, $50,00 Milk Volume Production (MVP) loan
Joseph Thome owns and operates Redtail Ridge Dairy. He currently milks 400 cows, and is investing $275,000 to expand his dairy operation. The loan will be used to add 100 cows to the facility. The project will create three positions and retain seven positions.
Four Cubs Farms, Grantsburg, Burnett County, $50,000 MVP loan
Four Cubs Farm, operated by Gary, Cris and Ben Peterson, has been in operation for over 100 years. It currently milks 425 cows and raises most of its own feed. Four Cubs Farm is investing $241,000 to modernize its dairy operation. The project will create two positions and retain 11 positions. The loan will allow the business to purchase 105 additional cows.
Haag’s Family Dairy, LLC, Reedsburg, Sauk County, $70,000 MVP loan
Haag’s Family Dairy is investing $874,000 to modernize its dairy operation. The project will create two positions and retain two positions. The dairy currently milks 100 cows in a traditional stanchion barn. The loan will allow the business to purchase a modern freestall facility, milking parlor, and 140 additional cows.
Gerald and Wendy Keller, La Valle, Sauk County, $30,000 MVP loan
The Kellers are investing $137,500 to start their dairy operation. The loan will allow them to purchase 60 cows. The project will create one position.
All Wisconsin dairy producers, both existing and start-up, are eligible to apply for the MVP Program. Awards are made on a competitive basis. Dairy producers interested in learning more about the MVP Program should contact Tim Griswold, Commerce, at 608/267-7370.
