ICYMI: Baldwin Celebrates Investments for Wisconsin Dairy Farmers in Prairie du Sac, Talks Lowering Childcare Costs in Milwaukee

WISCONSIN – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) visited Prairie du Sac to highlight investments she secured for Wisconsin’s dairy farmers and Milwaukee to highlight her work to lower childcare costs. In Prairie du Sac, Senator Baldwin broke ground on the new U.S. Dairy Forage Research Center she supported with a $10 million federal investment that will help Wisconsin farmers improve the efficiency of their operations and adopt more sustainable practices. In Milwaukee, Senator Baldwin met with childcare providers to discuss the childcare crisis, discuss the Senator’s work to lower costs, and celebrate the nearly $122 million she delivered for the state to expand affordable child care for working families.

Senator Baldwin joined the Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and University of Wisconsin–Madison’s College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS) for a groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of a world-class dairy research facility in Prairie du Sac, Wisconsin. The new U.S. Dairy Forage Research Center facility and its associated buildings will house robotic milking systems, chambers for measuring greenhouse gas emissions, an advanced animal nutrition unit, and state-of-the-art laboratories for agronomy and dairy science, as well as offices and a visitor center. Senator Baldwin secured $10 million for the project through the annual budget process.

“Wisconsin thrives when our dairy and rural economies thrive. I was proud to help break ground today on a new facility that will support the next generation of farmers and producers,” said Senator Baldwin. “This new research center will help our dairy farmers weather today’s challenges and confront tomorrow’s, adopt more sustainable practices, incorporate more cost-effective and efficient farming practices, and ensure Wisconsin’s dairy legacy continues for generations to come.”

Senator Baldwin also visited Penfield Children’s Center in Milwaukee to highlight her ongoing efforts to lower the cost of child care and boost federal investments in early learning. During the visit, Senator Baldwin visited classrooms and joined providers and parents for a discussion about the need to increase childcare access in Milwaukee. Today, Senator Baldwin announced she secured nearly $122 million for child care in the state, an $8 million increase over last year.

“I hear from families across Wisconsin who are struggling to find affordable childcare options – and Milwaukee is no exception. The lack of access keeps parents from joining the workforce, stops kids from getting the strong start they deserve, and holds businesses back that need workers. Today, I was able to hear about how the funding I fought to secure will be put to use to help families afford child care and improve access in Milwaukee,” said Senator Baldwin. “I’m working to invest in child care and the passionate people who provide it to help fix that equation – lowering costs for parents so families aren’t spending the bulk of their paycheck just to ensure their child has somewhere safe to go while they earn a living.”

Over half of Wisconsin is in a childcare desert, meaning for every open childcare slot available in a community, three or more children need it. Senator Baldwin has fought in Congress to increase funding for child care, including securing American Rescue Plan Act resources for Penfield Children’s Center and five other Milwaukee organizations to boost access to childcare for families in the Milwaukee community.

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