Apply Now for Dairy Business Builder Grants
A new round of Dairy Business Builder grants administered by the Dairy Business Innovation Alliance (DBIA) opened today, February 20, for small- to medium-sized dairy farmers, manufacturers, and processors in 11 Midwestern states. Businesses in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin may apply for the funding, which is administered by the Center for Dairy Research (CDR) and the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association (WCMA).
The reimbursement grants of up to $100,000 each aim to support recipients in diversifying on-farm activity, creating value-added products, enhancing dairy byproducts, and creating or enhancing dairy export programs.
Application materials for the Dairy Business Builder grants are available online at cdr.wisc.edu/dbia. Prospective applicants are encouraged to join an informational webinar hosted by DBIA staff at 11:00 a.m. (CT) on Tuesday, February 21st. The webinar will be recorded and accessible throughout the application period. Applications are due by 5:00 p.m. (CT) on April 13. Successful applicants will be notified by May 19.
The DBIA is supported by funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and was created in the 2018 federal Farm Bill. Since then, the DBIA has administered over $7 million to 88 dairy farms and businesses within its 11-state service area. The program also offers technical assistance to dairy farmers and processors in participating states.
