PLYMOUTH, WIS. – Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers visited Sartori Cheese to sign a new bill that will help dairy exports in the state.

Senate Bill 827 provides funding for the new Wisconsin Initiative for Agricultural Exports (WIAE), a $5 million, five-year program designed to boost the sale of Wisconsin dairy products, crops and meat internationally.

Wisconsin Secretary of Agriculture Randy Romanski and the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association’s executive director, John Umhoefer, also attended the signing of the bill, which was authored by State Sen. Joan Ballweg (R-Markesan) and State Rep. Tony Kurtz (R-Wonewoc).

Evers signed the bill in Sartori Cheese's historic East Main Caves in Plymouth, Wis. A family-owned specialty cheese company, Sartori has produced artisan cheeses in the area since the company was established in 1939.

"We are thrilled by the bipartisan efforts of the Wisconsin government to promote Wisconsin cheese exports globally," said Sartori’s chief executive officer, Jeff Schwager. "We thank Gov. Evers and all who worked to bring this bill into fruition. This funding will help introduce consumers across the globe to the amazing specialty cheese products coming out of Wisconsin."

After signing the agricultural export bill, Evers toured Sartori’s East Main Caves and helped hand-finish some of Sartori's internationally award-winning Espresso BellaVitano cheese wheels.