Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association (WCMA) members today applauded the announcement of approximately $11 million in federal funding for four Dairy Business Innovation Initiatives (DBII), including the Dairy Business Innovation Alliance (DBIA) run by WCMA and the Center for Dairy Research (CDR). The funding was announced by U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack and U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) on Friday during World Dairy Expo in Madison, Wisconsin.
“USDA is committed to helping America’s dairy industry remain competitive as they work hard to provide necessary, nutritious dairy products to communities nationwide,” Vilsack said. “Through the Dairy Business Innovation Initiative, we aim to help the dairy industry access new and better markets, spur innovation, and create economic growth. To date, the Initiatives have invested over $64 million into more than 600 projects that are increasing dairy supply chain resiliency, creating new markets, and expanding economic growth in rural economies.”
The new funding will be awarded noncompetitively to the four existing programs. The DBIA will be eligible for approximately $3.5 million to continue assisting dairy farmers, manufacturers, and processors with business plan development, marketing and branding support, and access to capital for innovative projects.
“The Dairy Business Innovation Alliance has created new opportunity for Midwestern dairy businesses to innovate and thrive. We’re thrilled to continue that critical work, strengthening not only farms and processors but also rural communities, and we thank U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin for her consistent and impactful support,” said WCMA Senior Director of Programs & Policy Rebekah Sweeney,” said WCMA Senior Director of Programs & Policy Rebekah Sweeney.
“My Dairy Business Innovation Initiative has helped Wisconsin dairy farmers, producers, and cheesemakers grow their operations, tap into new markets, and innovate new products,” said Senator Baldwin. “Traveling the state, I’ve seen firsthand the impact of this funding – from helping a local cheese processor triple production to adding value to a seventh-generation dairy farm. Today’s announcement is exciting news for Wisconsin – allowing more dairy businesses get the resources they need to grow our economy and continue Wisconsin’s legacy of America’s Dairyland.”
Senator Baldwin first secured funding for the four DBII centers as part of the 2018 Farm Bill. The DBIA offers product research and development, technical assistance, education, and grants to dairy farmers and processors in Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. The current DBIA grant period is open now through October 23, offering grants of up to $100,000 each to small and medium-sized dairy businesses. More information is available at cdr.wisc.edu/dbia.
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