{"id":42993,"date":"2023-06-07T13:21:00","date_gmt":"2023-06-07T18:21:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.midwestfarmreport.com\/?p=42993"},"modified":"2023-06-07T12:04:54","modified_gmt":"2023-06-07T17:04:54","slug":"dbia-awards-2-3-million-to-26-dairy-businesses","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.midwestfarmreport.com\/2023\/06\/07\/dbia-awards-2-3-million-to-26-dairy-businesses\/","title":{"rendered":"DBIA Awards $2.3 Million"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Dairy Business Innovation Alliance (DBIA), a partnership between the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association (WCMA) and the Center for Dairy Research (CDR) at the University of Wisconsin-Madison today announced the 26 companies and cooperatives that have been selected to receive Dairy Business Builder grants totaling $2.3 million. This year\u2019s awardees hail from all 11 states served by DBIA. Eighteen of the 26 businesses are receiving a DBIA grant for the first time, and 12 are farmsteads.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Alliance is one of four Dairy Business Innovation Initiatives across the country. The creation of the nationwide program in the 2018 Farm Bill, and Wisconsin\u2019s inclusion, were championed by U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisconsin).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDairy businesses are a key part of our state\u2019s identity and major drivers of our state\u2019s economy, and I am thrilled that these innovative businesses are continuing that legacy,\u201d said Sen. Baldwin. \u201cIt is critical that our cheesemakers, farmers, and dairy processors have the tools they need to develop new dairy products and adapt to market changes, and I am so proud to help provide those resources so they can accomplish that and move our Made in Wisconsin economy forward.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

DBIA\u2019s Dairy Business Builder grant program aims to encourage small- to medium-sized dairy farmers, entrepreneurs, and processors to pursue innovative projects such as dairy farm diversification, on-farm processing, value-added product creation, and efforts to market dairy products for export. Reimbursement grants of up to $100,000 each are awarded following a competitive review process.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThese grants have become an important factor in helping support the growth of our dairy businesses in our region as they continue to innovate by creating new products or expanding their markets,\u201d said CDR Director John Lucey.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis group of projects showcases the innovative spirit and drive of our dairy industry. We\u2019re pleased to help these businesses, and the industry as a whole, continue to grow and thrive,\u201d said WCMA Executive Director John Umhoefer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Companies and cooperatives receiving Dairy Business Builder Grants are:  <\/p>\n\n\n\n