Seven Wisconsin dairy companies will receive 2025 Dairy Processor Grants. These grants help local dairy processors with projects to modernize and grow their businesses, produce new products, or expand their markets. The goal is to improve profitability and sustain the long-term viability of Wisconsin’s dairy processing facilities.
The announcement comes as the state recognizes June Dairy Month. “America’s Dairyland” has more dairy farms than any other state. These farms support a more than $50 billion industry in the state and over 120,000 jobs.
“The adaptability of Wisconsin’s dairy processors is a key component in the continued success of our nation-leading dairy industry,” says state Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection Secretary Randy Romanski. “Their spirit of innovation is evident in the projects supported by these grants.”
Since 2014, DATCP has received 267 dairy processor grant proposals requesting more than $11.4 million. DATCP has been able to fund 135 of those proposals, totaling $3.2 million.
A total of $200,000 was available for this round of the Dairy Processor Grant Program. Each project can get a maximum of $50,000. Grant recipients are required to provide a match of at least 20 percent of the grant amount. DATCP received 22 grant requests totaling more than $940,000.
The Dairy Processor Grant recipients and their planned projects are:
- Brunkow Cheese of Wisconsin
Purchase new equipment and supplies, and invest in new staff to expand the production of Brun-uusto baked cheese. - Burnett Dairy Cooperative
Identify the amount of milk components captured and where they are lost to wastewater streams. - Decatur Swiss Cheese Co-op
Support the production of a new variety of string cheese through the purchase of equipment, staff training, and supporting marketing activities. - Klondike Cheese Company
Modernize operations to cut and package feta cheese, increasing production and efficiency. - Milk Specialties Company DBA Actus Nutrition
Conduct efficiency reviews of systems, supplies, and wastewater, and identify needed staff training. - Silver and Lewis Cheese Factory Cooperative
Modernize plant operations, analyze sales processes and locations, and assist with transition planning. - Specialty Cheese Company
Study new packaging that would potentially increase savings and the variety of paneer cheese.
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