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Strong promotion and communication programs across Wisconsin and nationwide reach millions of consumers and educate them to purchase and enjoy our great tasting, award-winning cheeses and other dairy products.

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I believe that promotion is an important part of the dairy industry. The dairy industry faces competition from many others and must be proactive to maintain and increase the consumption of dairy products. The food industry is more closely scrutinized than ever before; therefore, we must do all that we can to assure consumers of the nutritional value, quality and safety of our dairy foods.

I was born and raised on the farm that my wife, family and I operate today. Dairy farming has been and will remain very important to us. I would be honored to be able to continue serving Clark county as a WMMB Member.

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I want to say “Thank You” to the producers of the 13th District, for the opportunity to serve on the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board. Having completed my first term, I remain committed to dairy promotion, dairy marketing and the great opportunities that are before us. In an ever changing world, dairy still offers the consumer a wonderful variety of products that are beneficial to our health, and taste great! I have enjoyed working with our employees at WMMB, and I am excited about their expertise and the commitment they have to the dairy producer. We face a variety of challenges, especially as our consumer loses their rural heritage, but informing the consumer of our nutritious, pure products, benefits them. I appreciate being part of the discussion and direction that WMMB provides. Marketing must have a proactive approach, which I believe offers a positive future for the dairy industry in Wisconsin.

As a partner with my husband, Jim, of Trim-Bel Valley Dairy, mother of four grown children, and a degree in Physical Education, I have been an avid consumer of dairy, a producer of dairy, and I appreciate the nutritious product that we produce! As the calf raiser, herd health overseer, bookkeeper, computer specialist…I wear many hats and I love our industry! I want to be a voice for the great WI dairy farmer! I do not want someone who does not live and breathe our industry to define us. I will always have a passion for our way of life, for our animals, and for my friends and neighbors in the dairy industry.

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Dairy Farmers of America Delegate

Our farm has been in the Averbeck family since 1848. Bill and I are the 5th generation to farm this land.

I have been very fortunate to serve as a WMMB director for the past six years. The scope of WMMB’s work to promote Wisconsin dairy products is far reaching. We, as Wisconsin dairy producers, should be proud to have an organization like WMMB to promote our Wisconsin dairy products throughout the United States.

The majority of Wisconsin’s milk is made into cheese and Wisconsin has a strong heritage of cheese makers. Our expertise in cheese making is very evident by the number of Master Cheese Makers that Wisconsin in home to. No matter where you travel, people are always asking where they can get that great tasting Wisconsin cheese. WMMB strives to promote our cheeses not only in our supermarkets and cheese industry but are also becoming very well known throughout the United States in high-end restaurants. Advertising and working one on one with food service and cheese market retailers will benefit all of our Wisconsin dairy producers.

Promotion and education are key roles necessary to inform the public about the healthy benefits of dairy products. As the world evolves, our consumers will be further removed from the understanding of where their food source comes from. We must continue the ongoing work of the Wisconsin Dairy Council to educate our young children on dairy and ag related areas. I feel this is where a major impact can be made to ensure future dairy consumption.

I would like to continue to work to inform the public on how, we, as dairy and ag producers, provide quality food and are good caretakers of our animals and good stewards of the land. After all, this is our heritage and the livelihood of our families.

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District 19 (Columbia, Dodge)

I'd like to continue to serve on the WMMB Board to monitor and continue the direction of the dairy promotion activities of the WMMB on behalf of the producers of Grant County who contribute to the funding of the activities.

These are just a few of examples of the excellent current WMMB programs that benefit the dairy industry:

• Dairy Council – education through the Alice in Dairyland Program, working with school food service and teachers. Dairy Council also does radio and TV appearances promoting dairy.
• Center for Dairy Research – our funding helps the Center work with the dairy processors in new technology, new production techniques and problem-solving for manufacturing plants. Our producers can be proud that the Center for Dairy Research leads the industry.
• Marketing – staff work with national media to get newspaper and magazine stories featured on the Wisconsin cheese industry. Discover Wisconsin TV series features stories on the cheese & pizza industry. Through our Regional Marketing Managers – WMMB sets up promotions on a nationwide basis – coordinating Wisconsin Cheese Promotions in retailers throughout the US. They work with grocery stores for cheese signage.

I have conscientiously represented the Grant County dairy producers on the WMMB board since 1988. Grant County dairy producers can be proud that the WMMB programs are leading edge and effective in getting the dairy promotion and education message to consumers. I will continue to bring the details of our promotion efforts back to the Grant County Dairy Producers and answer their questions.

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We as dairymen are contributing dollars from our paychecks on a monthly basis towards milk marketing efforts. Are we, as dairy producers, receiving the best value for our dollars spent? Prices are continuously going up and consumer's spending is on the watch. We need to be in the fore-front of consumer spending dollars. It's important for consumers to know the "people behind the products" and need to be reminded that dairy products are a good dietary choice. In general, my reason is Consumer and Product Awareness.

Also, on the industry side, are we, as an industry, meeting our consumer demands (are we producing the products to meet the demands)? If not, what can we do as the Wisconsin Dairy Industry to stay in the forefront?

I am a member of Clarno United Methodist Church, serving on council as Sunday School superintendent. Spending time with my family is also very important to me. Instead of a soccer mom, I am a gymnast mom. Three of our four daughters have been or currently are members of the Green County YMCA Gems gymnastics team.

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