Organizers of the Dairy Business Innovation Alliance (DBIA) announced they will host a webinar on Tuesday, July 14 from 2:00-3:00 pm (CT) detailing direct-to-business grant opportunities and the process to apply. Registration for the free webinar is available at https://turbo.cdr.wisc.edu/dairy-business-innovation-alliance/.
Coordinated in partnership by the Center for Dairy Research (CDR) at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association (WCMA) and supported by U.S. Department of Agriculture, DBIA has $220,000 to distribute via a competitive grants process in 2020. Dairy farmers and processors in Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin may apply for awards of up to $20,000.
“The Dairy Business Innovation Alliance seeks to address industry challenges through business diversification and the development of value-added products,” said John Lucey, CDR Director. “Whether you’re a farmer interested in making cheese, or a cheesemaker interested in new product development or selling in a new marketplace, the DBIA is here to support you.”
“We’re putting out an all call for great ideas,” said John Umhoefer, WCMA Executive Director. “The stabilization and long-term profitability of the dairy industry depends on innovation, both on-farm and in our processing plants.”
The DBIA grants webinar on July 14 will provide more details, but awards may be used for a variety of projects, including:
- Dairy farm diversification through value-added initiatives, such as development of dairy products or on-farm dairy business ventures.
- Modernization, specialization or expansion of farmsteads or processing facilities to support product development or improvement.
- Increasing sales of current products through improvement of product quality, packaging, marketing, etc.
- Dairy commodity innovation and value chain improvements.
- Ensuring and improving regulatory compliance and quality control to give businesses greater access to the food industry, e.g. to supply local stores and processors.
The 2020 DBIA grant application form and instructions are available online. Applications are due Friday, August 14 and selected applicants will be notified Friday, September 4.
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