Since 2018, the Dairy Business Innovation Association has awarded over 250 grants to small midwest dairy farms.
Seven years later, that funding is in limbo. The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently froze Dairy Business Innovation funds, leaving nearly $30,000,000 in jeopardy.
“Wisconsin is known as America’s Dairyland for a reason,” Rebekah Sweeney, Wisconsin Cheese Maker Association Senior Director of Programs & Policy, said. “Dairy businesses are the economic drivers in rural communities. And the threat of those businesses failing, or frankly just not being allowed to grow, is deeply concerning.”
Many farmers currently face challenges to maintain operations and the funding freeze only adds salt to the wound.lt to the wound.
“Dairy farmers and dairy processors run on tight margins, hard work and passion for feeding the world,” Sweeney said. “And they cannot afford a funding pause.”
Penterman says the freeze is impacting them beyond money, including their livelihood.
“It affects all of us, let’s be honest, it affects all of us,” Penterman said. “This affects our ability to grow and the way we can contribute to our community.”
All while encouraging change for the better.
“America truly is a land of opportunities,” Penterman added. “I thought it was part of the opportunity that we all can contribute. And we need them to relook what they’re doing right now.”
“This is democracy,” Sweeney stated. “And we want to make sure that people’s voices are heard as change occurs.”
Sweeney and the Wisconsin Cheese Maker Association are calling on the U.S. Department of Agriculture to release funding for Dairy Business Innovation initiatives. She’s hopeful to see a future where farmers can continue growing capacity, explore new innovations, and become more resilient.
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