WLIC started in 2001 to look at the impact of disease outbreak in the State of Wisconsin. WLIC's core mission included the following areas of responsibility:

The startup funding was obtained through a grant administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) as a pilot project, and was supported by former Wisconsin Senator Herb Kohl and former Congressman Dave Obey. WLIC was tasked with developing a state-based model for livestock premises registration and traceability.

In 2004, Wisconsin became the first state in the nation to mandate livestock premises registration. Soon after, the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) partnered with WLIC to manage the premises registration system. Producers and corporations alike determined WLIC was well equipped to handle this system, as it had already developed software, and as a nonprofit organization, was not subject to Freedom of Information Act requests, keeping premises information confidential.

WLIC memberships continued to grow, as both producers and corporations wanted to support us and our programs and services.

In 2012, WLIC lost its federal funding with the elimination of all earmarks. That meant membership support would be critical for the continued success and growth of WLIC. In 2018, WLIC hopes to double its membership revenue, increasing participation in not only the agriculture industry, but in non-ag industries as well.

Your membership dollars will ensure that WLIC continues to provide a network for producers, as well as the traceability required for the export market. If you haven't renewed your membership, please do so now. If you'd like to become a member, please contact us to set up a meeting. With new member levels and benefits, there has never been a better time to join WLIC!