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Secretary appreciates flexibility in new Wisconsin ag export funding
Wisconsin’s ag secretary says the trade promotion dollars from the Legislature and the Governor give the state more flexibility when promoting Wisconsin exports.
Randy Romanski tells Brownfield until now, promoting agricultural exports meant using funds from the federal government and business donors, and going along on a federal trade mission featuring products from multiple states. “We are really fortunate that we have funding that comes to us from outside organizations that allows us to go on missions to particular locations. This funding gives us more flexibility to go to places that we think are going to be a great fit for Wisconsin products.”
Romanski says the pandemic has limited the state’s efforts to set up new trade missions, but he’s optimistic there will be Wisconsin-specific meetings with foreign buyers soon. “We’ve developed a five-year plan, so clearly, it’s something that we need to put the efforts in and do so over a period of time so that we can plan not just for today or tomorrow but next year and down the line because it takes time to develop those relationships and it takes time for businesses to ramp up their efforts.”
Romanski spoke with Brownfield during the Wisconsin Agri-Business Classic in Madison Tuesday.