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 More than $3.5M in Grants to Midwest Dairy Processors, Including Three from Iowa
Cinnamon Ridge Inc: Cinnamon Ridge, an Iowa farmstead and creamery, is improving its cheese production by acquiring new equipment and upgrading storage facilities. The project focuses on improving efficiency, quality, and sanitation to meet customer expectations and drive sales growth.
Hightail: Hightail is upgrading equipment to increase cheese curd production and meet high demand. The project includes purchasing multiple pieces of equipment to improve efficiency and product quality at their Iowa facility.
Lost Lake Farm LLC: Lost Lake Farm is diversifying into artisan grass-fed butter production to increase sales and meet customer demand. The project includes purchasing equipment and hiring a production apprentice to support growth in Iowa.
DBIA Updates
New Grants Open August 4th
Midwestern dairy businesses can prepare now to apply for a total of approximately $3 million across two direct-to-business grant programs offered by the Dairy Business Innovation Alliance (DBIA), opening August 4. The funding will be available to small- to medium-sized dairy farmers, manufacturers, and processors in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.
Applicants interested in diversifying on-farm activity, creating value-added products, or enhancing dairy byproducts are eligible to apply for the Dairy Business Builder program. Applicants pursuing projects that could have a potential effect on the broader industry can apply for the Dairy Industry Impact grant program. Specific focus areas for the Dairy Industry Impact grants will be announced when the grant period opens. Applicants may apply to both grant programs and are eligible to receive awards of up to $100,000 from each offering.
Application materials for both grant programs will be available online at dbia.wisc.edu beginning August 4. Applications are due by 5:00 p.m. (CT) on September 30. Prospective applicants are encouraged to register now for an informational webinar hosted by DBIA staff at 1:00 p.m. (CT) on Tuesday, August 5. The webinar will be recorded and accessible throughout the application period.
The DBIA is supported by funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and was created in the 2018 federal Farm Bill. Since then, the DBIA has awarded over $20 million across more than 250 grants to Midwestern dairy farms and businesses. The program also offers technical assistance to dairy farmers and processors in participating states.
Market Intelligence
DBIA is excited to share the results of additional market intelligence related to Specialty Cheese Consumption.
You can find the full report and introductory video on the webpage here.
The report features consumer data from across the U.S., personas to help understand cheese consumption, and opportunities to increase specialty cheese purchases!
If you are interested in discussing the results with DBIA staff, please reach out!