Dairy Business Innovation Alliance
A new round of Dairy Business Builder grants administered by the Dairy Business Innovation Alliance (DBIA) opened on February 20, 2023 for small- to medium-sized dairy farmers, manufacturers, and processors in 11 Midwestern states. Businesses in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin may apply for the funding. The reimbursement grants of up to $100,000 each aim to support recipients in diversifying on-farm activity, creating value-added products, enhancing dairy byproducts, and creating or enhancing dairy export programs. Application materials for the Dairy Business Builder grants are available online at cdr.wisc.edu/dbia. Applications are due by 5:00 p.m. (CT) on April 13. Successful applicants will be notified by May 19.
News
DBIA Awards $3.2 Million to 37 Dairy Businesses
DBIA to Award Nearly $4M in Grants to 41 Midwest Dairy Businesses
DBIA Updates
REMINDER: Apply Now for DBIA Grants
A new round of Dairy Business Builder and Dairy Industry Impact grants administered by the Dairy Business Innovation Alliance (DBIA) is open for small- to medium-sized dairy farmers, manufacturers, and processors in 11 Midwestern states. Businesses in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin may apply for the funding, which is administered by the Center for Dairy Research (CDR) and the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association (WCMA).
An informational webinar is hosted on the DBIA website. Applications are due by 5:00 p.m. (CT) on Wednesday, October 23.
Application materials for the Dairy Business Builder grants are available online at cdr.wisc.edu/dbia. The reimbursement grants of up to $100,000 each aim to support recipients in diversifying on-farm activity, creating value-added products, enhancing dairy byproducts, and creating or enhancing dairy export programs.
The DBIA is supported by funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and was created in the 2018 federal Farm Bill. The program also offers technical assistance to dairy farmers and processors in participating states.
DBIA H5N1 Biosecurity Funding Available
Midwestern dairy farmers can apply now at WisCheeseMakers.org for reimbursement grants of up to $10,000 each to support on-farm biosecurity efforts amid the ongoing outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1) in dairy cattle. Total pilot program funding of $100,000 is available on a first-come, first-served basis through the Dairy Business Innovation Alliance (DBIA), a partnership between Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association (WCMA) and the Center for Dairy Research (CDR).
More information and a link to the online application form can be found here: https://www.wischeesemakersassn.org/news/dbia-offers-10000-grants-for-on-farm-h5n1-biosecurity-efforts-
Food Safety Resources Page
DBIA has pulled together some key food safety resources and tips for entrepreneurs! Please check out link below and let me know if there are any additional resources we could provide! The CDR Dairy Safety and Quality Coordinator, Alex O'Brien, is also happy to answer any additional questions you may have.
The resources include audit templates, links to certification and training courses, a dairy recall tracker and more.
For more information, please see: https://www.cdr.wisc.edu/dbia-food-safety
DBIA Grant Timelines
Fall 2024 Grant Cycle Information
Midwestern dairy businesses can prepare now to apply for a total of up to $4 million across two grant programs offered by the Dairy Business Innovation Alliance (DBIA), opening August 19.
Prospective applicants are encouraged to register now for an informational webinar hosted by DBIA staff at 1:00 p.m. (CT) on Wednesday, August 21. The webinar will be recorded and accessible throughout the application period.
Application materials for both grant programs will be available online at cdr.wisc.edu/dbia beginning August 19. Applications are due by 5:00 p.m. (CT) on October 23.
Applicants interested in diversifying on-farm activity, creating value-added products, or enhancing dairy byproducts are eligible to apply for the $3 million Dairy Business Builder program.
Applicants pursuing projects related to exports or sustainability can apply for the $1 million Dairy Industry Impact grant program. Applicants may apply to both grant programs and are eligible to receive awards of up to $100,000 from each offering.
The Dairy Business Builder and Dairy Industry Impact grant programs are administered by DBIA, a partnership between Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association (WCMA) and the Center for Dairy Research (CDR).