Senator Baldwin secures $3.45M for Wisconsin dairy growth

By Blake Jackson

U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) has announced an additional $3.45 million in funding for Wisconsin’s dairy sector through her Dairy Business Innovation Initiative (DBII), a program she established under the 2018 Farm Bill to help dairy enterprises grow, innovate, and access new markets.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has allocated over $11 million to the four DBIIs across the country to assist small and medium-sized dairy businesses in product development, marketing, and distribution through grants and technical support.

“My Dairy Business Innovation Initiative has helped Wisconsin dairy farmers, producers, and cheesemakers grow their operations, tap into new markets, and innovate new products,” Senator Baldwin stated. “Traveling the state, I’ve seen firsthand the impact of this funding – from helping a local cheese processor triple production, to adding value to a seventh-generation dairy farm. Today’s announcement is exciting news for Wisconsin – helping more dairy businesses get the resources they need to grow our economy and continue Wisconsin’s legacy of America’s Dairyland.”

“The Dairy Business Innovation Alliance has created new opportunity for Midwestern dairy businesses to innovate and thrive", Rebekah Sweeney, Senior Director of Programs & Policy at the Wisconsin Cheesemakers Association. "We’re thrilled to continue that critical work, strengthening not only farms and processors but also rural communities, and we thank U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin for her consistent and impactful support.”

This round of funding is being shared by four institutions: California State University, Fresno, University of Tennessee, Vermont’s Agency of Agriculture, and the University of Wisconsin.

They will utilize the funds to provide technical assistance and business support for dairy enterprises in their regions. Wisconsin’s DBII program has already invested nearly $40 million since 2018, supporting dairy businesses across several states including Illinois, Iowa, and Michigan.

Previous projects funded include innovations by companies like Rosewood Dairy, Marieke Gouda, Sassy Cow Creamery, and Burnett Dairy, who have used grants to enhance production processes, reduce waste, and expand into new product lines.

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