USDA announced it is investing more than $11 million to support small and midsized dairy businesses through the Dairy Business Innovation (DBI) grant program. According to the agency, the funding is designed to help dairy producers develop, market and distribute innovative dairy products, strengthening both local economies and the national dairy industry.
“This funding through the Dairy Business Innovation Initiatives makes important investments in the domestic dairy industry, furthering USDA’s efforts to ensure Americans have access to affordable, wholesome U.S. dairy products,” says USDA Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs, Dudley Hoskins.
Michael Dykes, president and CEO of the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA), praises the USDA’s funding announcement.
“IDFA expresses its deep appreciation to Secretary Rollins and Under Secretary Hoskins at USDA for awarding more than $11 million in grant funding to support dairy businesses and producers through the Dairy Business Innovation Initiatives program,” Dykes says. “This funding will promote continued innovation in the dairy processing sector and will help industry members work together to address common challenges and create new market opportunities for healthy and nutritious dairy products.”
This year, the funds are being awarded noncompetitively to the four existing DBI initiatives.
- California State University, Fresno
- University of Tennessee
- Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets
- University of Wisconsin
The organizations will provide technical assistance and subawards to dairy farmers and businesses in their regions, helping them with business planning, marketing and branding. They also aim to expand access to innovative production and processing techniques, supporting the development of value-added dairy products that strengthen local markets and offer consumers a broader selection of high-quality dairy options.
The Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association (WCMA) also welcome the funding, highlighting its impact on the Dairy Business Innovation Alliance (DBIA), led by WCMA in partnership with the University of Wisconsin’s Center for Dairy Research (CDR).
“This funding recognizes the success of our work to help processors and farmers adapt, innovate and grow in challenging times,” says John Umhoefer, WCMA executive director. “Through DBIA, we’ve delivered more than $24 million in grants to dairy businesses across the Midwest, and this new award allows us to continue supporting small and mid-sized processors as they strengthen markets for milk and build long-term resilience.”
Under the new award, DBIA is eligible to receive $3.45 million to support product research and development, technical assistance, education and direct grants to dairy businesses across Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin. Since 2018, the program has directed nearly 300 grants and provided hundreds of businesses with education and consultative services
