Section 144.01. Definitions.

  As used in this chapter, unless the context requires otherwise:

(1)  "Affected producer" means an individual, partnership, corporation or other business entity engaged in the production of milk within this state and the sale of milk to a handler or consumer.

(2)  "District" means an area of the state, as defined in s. ATCP 144.03 , from which representatives are elected to serve on the marketing board.

(3)  "Handler" means any person engaged in the business of purchasing or receiving milk from, or selling milk on behalf of, affected producers and introducing it into channels of commerce, or in the business of processing or distributing milk of producers, or any person engaged in the business of producing milk for retail consumption in commercial quantities.

(4)  "Marketing board" or "board" means a ch. 181 , Stats. , non-stock corporation consisting of affected producers elected to serve as board members and having the duties described in this order.

(5)  "Milk" means the whole lacteal secretion obtained from dairy cows.

(6)  "Process" or "processing" means the bottling, packaging, treating or preparation of milk for fluid consumption or the manufacturing of milk into cheese, butter, nonfat dry milk or other dairy products.

(7)  "Producer-handler" means an affected producer who sells milk to a non-resident handler.

(8)  "Secretary" means the secretary of the state department of agriculture, trade and consumer protection.