It's the month of June, and that means it's June Dairy Month. National Dairy Month started out as National Milk Month in 1937 as a way to promote drinking milk. It was initially created to stabilize the dairy demand when production was at a surplus, but has now developed into an annual tradition that celebrates the contributions the dairy industry has made to the world. After the National Dairy Council stepped in to promote the cause, the name soon changed to "Dairy Month".

Dairy Month includes dairy breakfasts, and dairy breakfasts include not only the opportunity to enjoy fresh food from the farm, but also an opportunity to catch up with friends and family from the community. Last weekend, I had the chance to work at Monroe County's Dairy Breakfast held at the Mlsna farm in Cashton (pictured above). What a great family they have and what great hosts they were! I'm looking forward to attending more dairy breakfasts in the upcoming weeks. Please come say hello if you see me!

In Madison, the state budget process is still moving forward. Assembly Representatives and State Senators on the Joint Committee on Finance continue to accept proposals and modify, revise, and also make additions to the Governor's proposed budget. One of the actions the committee has taken that I'm very excited about is the restoration of funds for the Wisconsin Institute of Sustainable Technology (WIST). The Wisconsin Institute of Sustainable Technology is the economic development and entrepreneurial arm of the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point. WIST is a public-private partnership between UW-Stevens Point and private industry. They support Wisconsin's agriculture, paper, food processing, and food packaging industries, among others, through collaborative research and innovation partnerships.  

In case you missed it, here's my opinion column on Memorial Day: Remembering on Memorial Day. I had the opportunity to attend a number of Memorial Day events, including a prayer luncheon at Fort McCoy and also a program at the Tomah VA (event pictures above). In his speech as part of the Fort McCoy program, Colonel Pinter shared an impactful quote from President Calvin Coolidge that I'd like to share with you. "The nation which forgets its defenders will itself be forgotten."

Please continue to utilize my legislative website, legis.wisconsin.gov/assembly/70/vandermeer, and follow Rep. Nancy VanderMeer on Facebook to communicate with me and receive up to date information and communication, and thank you to those that completed my Spring Survey! Your thoughts and feedback are valued and appreciated.

Sincerely,


Nancy VanderMeer
70th Assembly District Representative