By Blake Jackson
Midwestern dairy businesses will soon have the opportunity to apply for nearly $3 million in funding through two direct-to-business grant programs from the Dairy Business Innovation Alliance (DBIA).
Applications open on August 4 for dairy farmers, manufacturers, and processors in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.
The DBIA, a partnership between the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association (WCMA) and the Center for Dairy Research (CDR), administers both the Dairy Business Builder and Dairy Industry Impact grant programs.
The Dairy Business Builder program supports small to mid-sized operations seeking to diversify on-farm activities, develop value-added products, or improve dairy byproducts.
Meanwhile, the Dairy Industry Impact program is geared toward projects with potential to influence the larger dairy sector. Specific focus areas for this program will be shared when the application window opens.
Applicants may apply to both programs and are eligible for up to $100,000 in funding from each. Full application materials will be posted at dbia.wisc.edu on August 4, and completed applications must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. (CT) on September 30.
To assist potential applicants, DBIA will host an informational webinar at 1:00 p.m. (CT) on Tuesday, August 5. Attendees can register in advance, and a recording of the webinar will be available throughout the application period.
Funded by the USDA and established under the 2018 Farm Bill, the DBIA has already distributed more than $20 million in grant funding to over 250 dairy operations. In addition to grants, the DBIA provides technical support to dairy businesses in eligible states.
Further details, including summaries of previously funded projects and application guidance, can be found on the DBIA website.
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Categories: Wisconsin, Business, Livestock