Grants & Financial Resources
The profitability, sustainability, and long-term viability of the dairy industry is fundamental to a healthy economy. WCMA is committed to advocating for targeted investments in dairy farmers and processors, working with state and federal partners to administer grant monies effectively, and sharing available funding opportunities with WCMA members. This page will be continually updated as new grant opportunities and deadlines arise.
Questions can be directed to WCMA Director of Sustainability & Grants Danica Nilsestuen at dnilsestuen@wischeesemakers.org or (608) 673-5547.
Upcoming Deadlines:
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Wisconsin Dairy Export Consultation Services Program: Rolling Applications through December 2024
- More information below
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENTInternational ExportWorkforce Development
Business Development Resources
Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (WDATCP)
Dairy Processor Grants
The Dairy Processor Grants foster innovation, improve profitability and sustain the long-term viability of Wisconsin’s dairy processing facilities. Eligible applicants must operate a licensed dairy processing plant in Wisconsinn engaged in pasteurizing, processing or manufacturing milk or dairy products. Recipients are chosen through a competitive process. A total grant up to $50,000 is available per dairy processor per year. The dairy processor is required to provide a match of at least 20 percent of the grant amount. Grant applications are customized by each processor and can be used to hire consultants to address a wide range of business needs including food safety, staff training or modernization.
Awards: Up to $50,000 each
Frequency: Annual
Current application period: Open until January 17.
Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure (RFSI) Grants
WDATCP is accepting applications until 5:00 p.m. (CT) Wednesday, March 6, 2024 for the Wisconsin Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure (RFSI) Program.
The program aims to expand capacity and infrastructure for the aggregation, processing, manufacturing, storing, transporting, wholesaling, and distribution of locally- and regionally-produced foods, including dairy products. Funding for the grants is provided through the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
A total of $27 million will be awarded through a competitive grant process. The RFSI Program has two grant tracks: the Infrastructure Grant and the Equipment-Only Grant. Applicants may only apply for one track.
Infrastructure Grants will range from $100,000 to $3 million. This grant can fund:
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- Capital investments such as construction, equipment (e.g. delivery vehicles, frozen or refrigerated storage, value-added food processing equipment, or other equipment for middle-of-the food supply chain activities);
- Building renovations;
- Facility design or engineering;
- Staff time;
- Modernizing systems (e.g. tracking, storage, information technology, etc.);
- Plan development (e.g. Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point plan); and
- Market development
A match is required for Infrastructure Grants and starts at 50% of the total project cost. However, if the main applicant qualifies as underserved, the match requirement will be reduced to 25% of the total project cost.
Equipment-Only Grants will range from $10,000 to $99,999. This grant can only fund equipment, per the examples provided above. Equipment may be new, used, or refurbished. No match is required for Equipment-Only Grants.
Questions about the program can be emailed to RFSI@wisconsin.gov.
Buy Local, Buy Wisconsin
Launched in 2008, the Buy Local, Buy Wisconsin competitive grant program is designed to strengthen Wisconsin’s agricultural and food industries by working to reduce the marketing, distribution, and processing hurdles that impede the expansion of sales of Wisconsin’s food products to local purchasers. A total of $300,000 is available in grant funding through the program; the maximum award for each project is $50,000, and grant applicants must provide a cash or in-kind match of at least 50 percent of the total project budget. Generally, qualified applicants include individuals, groups or businesses involved in Wisconsin production agriculture, food processing, food distribution, food warehousing, retail food establishments or agricultural tourism operations. Proposals can include individual projects, collaborations or partnerships.
Awards: Up to $50,000 each
Frequency: Annual
Current application period: Closed March 31, 5:00 p.m.
Dairy Business Innovation Alliance (DBIA)
Funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture through the Dairy Business Innovation Initiatives, the DBIA is a partnership between the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association (WCMA) and the Center for Dairy Research, serving dairy farmers and dairy processors in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. DBIA offers two reimbursement grant programs:
Dairy Business Builder Grants
Dairy Business Builder Grants are designed for small to medium dairy businesses. Eligible projects diversify on-farm activity, create value-added products, enhance dairy by-products, or boost export programs.
Awards: Up to $100,000 each
Frequency: Twice per year
Next application period: Spring (postponed)
Helpful Hints Webinar: Spring (postponed)
Due to uncertainties related to recent executive orders and federal funding policies and based on current guidance from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, DBIA is postponing its Spring 2025 Dairy Business Builder grant cycle. We will update this webpage when further guidance is provided.
Dairy Industry Impact Grants
Dairy Industry Impact Grants are geared toward dairy product manufacturers that want help developing an innovative idea or tackling a challenge with the potential to advance the dairy industry. The Fall 2024 Industry Impact grants will focus on export and sustainability projects.
Awards: Up to $100,000 each
Frequency: Annual
Next application period: August, 2025
Helpful Hints Webinar: August, 2025
Click below to hear firsthand experiences from DBIA grant recipients on ways the program has delivered meaningful growth for their businesses!
Organic Dairy Product Distribution Grants
The Dairy Business Innovation Alliance (DBIA) seeks proposals from organic dairy processors to participate in a program funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) through its Organic Dairy Production Promotion. The goal is to strengthen organic dairy producers and processors in the 11-state region, which includes Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.
DBIA will distribute $3.75 million in competitive grants to support the costs associated with the distribution of organic dairy products for students and young adults (ages 0-25) in institutional settings such as schools, colleges and youth organizations.
The Organic Dairy Product Distribution Grants will open January 8th.
More detailed program information, key dates and submission instructions can be found in our Request for Proposals document.
Interested applicants must submit letters of support and complete the online application.
Awards: $100,000 - $1.5 million
Frequency: One-time
Application Deadline: Due to uncertainties related to recent executive orders and federal funding policies, and based on guidance from the USDA, WCMA is pausing the Organic Dairy Product Distribution Grant program. We will update this website when further guidance is provided.
Dairy Business Innovation Initiatives (DBII)
These initiatives support dairy businesses in the development, production, marketing and distribution of dairy products. Located across the country, the DBII provide direct technical assistance and grants to dairy businesses, including niche dairy products, such as specialty cheese, or dairy products derived from the milk of a dairy animal, including cow, sheep and goat milk. Dairy processors across the country can access DBII funds via four regional initiatives:
Dairy Business Innovation Alliance (DBIA) (see above)
Eligible states: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin
Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center (NE-DBIC)
Eligible states: Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Vermont
Dairy Business Innovation Initiative – Pacific Coast Coalition
Eligible states: Arizona, California, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, and Washington
Dairy Processor Grants: Open January 2nd, applications due February 29th, 2024
Tennessee Dairy Business Innovation Initiative (TN DBII)
Eligible states: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, and Puerto Rico.
USDA Value Added Producer Grant (VAPG) Program
This program helps agricultural producers enter value-added activities to generate new products, create and expand marketing opportunities, and increase producer income. This may include dairy cooperatives or dairy businesses that have or utilize a farm in their operations.
Awards: Up to $75,000 each for Planning Grants; up to $250,000 each for Working Capital Grants. A 100 percent match is required.
Current application deadline: Closed May 11, 2023 for electronic applications; May 16, 2023 for paper applications.
USDA Broadband Technical Assistance (BTA) Program
This program aims to support technical assistance projects including feasibility studies, network designs, and the development of broadband financial assistance applications.
Awards: Varies by applicant type; total of $20 million available.
Current application deadline: 11:59 p.m. (ET) June 20, 2023
International Export Resources
Wisconsin
Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association (WCMA)
Dairy Export Consultation Program
Supported by funding from the Wisconsin Initiative for Agricultural Exports through the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (WDATCP), WCMA offers free consultative services with Cook Alpine LLC to dairy processors interested in launching or expanding their export endeavors, and master technicalities of international exporting.
Awards: Up to 30 hours of no-cost consultative services
Current application deadline: Rolling basis through December 2024
Dairy exporters utilizing these free consultation hours are also eligible to join product sampling, demo and marketing programs in targeted foreign markets, coordinated by Cook Alpine LLC.
Applications should be submitted to WCMA's Director of Grant's and Business Programs, Danica Nilsestuen at dnilsestuen@wischeesemakers.org
Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC)
International Market Access Grants (IMAG)
Through the International Market Access Grants, Wisconsin companies can be reimbursed for specific expenses associated with an export project that will help to grow their presence in an international market. This may include trade show attendance, marketing and promotion, export education, and/or consulting services.
Awards: Up to $25,000 with a limit of six awards for graduates of the ExporTech™ program; up to $10,000 with a limit of three awards for all other eligible applicants
Frequency: Rolling basis. Companies are encouraged to apply as soon as possible after July 1 of each year.
Collaborative Market Access Grants (CMAG)
Collaborative Market Access Grants (CMAG) offer new and experienced Wisconsin dairy exporters funding to grow their global market presence. Awards may be used for the following trade show expenses:
- Registration and booth expenses for an international trade show/exhibit
- Registration for international conferences/meetings where the company is presenting and having business meetings to increase its international exports
- Shipping charges to and from the show for booth, display, samples, literature and/or equipment
- In-country interpreter services during an approved trip
- Costs associated with foreign-language translation of brochures and supporting materials at a trade show
- Design services, printing, marketing and advertising associated with trade show participation
CMAG funds are available to industry associations, alliances, agencies, nonprofits, regional economic development organizations or other state/local departments located in Wisconsin to work with Wisconsin companies.
Awards: Up to $150,000 to provide assistance of no more than $15,000 per Wisconsin company per grant.
Frequency: Rolling basis. Companies are encouraged to apply as soon as possible after July 1 of each year.
Workforce Development Resources
Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD)
Wisconsin Fast Forward: Industry Sectors Worker Training Grants
The Industry Sectors Worker Training Grants through the Wisconsin Fast Forward program award funds to businesses from all Wisconsin industry sectors that reimburse the costs of customized occupational training for unemployed, underemployed, and incumbent workers. The customized, business-driven training will qualify workers for full-time employment, higher level employment, or increased wages. Approximately $2 million in total funding is available. Cash or in-kind match equal to 50% of the amount of the grant award is required.
Awards: $5,000-$40,000 each
Frequency: Annual
Current application period: Closed