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 dbia.wisc.edu. 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
REMINDER: Dairy Business Builder Grant Accepting Applications
The latest DBIA grant cycle opened on February 23 and will close on April 22. Dairy farmers and processors are eligible to request up to $150,000 in reimbursable grant funding for projects that diversify on-farm activities, create value-added products, enhance dairy by-products, or expand/create export programs. More information is available on our website, including detailed instructions on the application process within our application guide.
We’re here to help! If you have any questions about the grant or your application, contact Tanya (tcarney@cdr.wisc.edu) by early April to have a conversation or set up a meeting.
NEW! Specialty Cheese Webinar Series
Based on feedback from our January Cave Aging webinar and input from regional specialty cheese producers, DBIA is launching a quarterly webinar series led by CDR Lead for Specialty Cheese, Ben Ullerup Mathers. The next session, “Understanding Acid,” will be held on Thursday, April 9 at 2pm. Attendees will learn how to control and monitor acid during their cheese make, especially as milk changes seasonally, and understand the impact of acid on their final cheese. Future sessions will focus on topics such as bloomy rind affinage and soft to semi-soft smeared affinage.
Attendance is open to dairy farmers and processors within the DBIA region (Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin). If interested, please take a moment to RSVP. A recording will be posted on our website following the event. We hope to see you there!
NEW! Goat and Sheep Processors Grant Program Now Open
Dairy businesses located within the11-state DIBA region who are working with goat, sheep, or mixed milk can apply now for funding to support educational training, product development trials, or trade show participation. Awards of up to $6,000 are available per applicant. More information can be found on our website.
Applications are due by 5:00 p.m. (CT) on April 16. Contact Emily (eslatter@cdr.wisc.edu) with any questions.