Advocacy

WCMA is a strong voice for dairy manufacturers and their suppliers at both the state and federal government level, advocating for members' interests related to food safety and production, business-friendly policy, immigration reform, trade opportunity, transportation support, milk pricing - and much more.

What's New?

Take Action Now to Save Dairy Business Innovation Initiatives

For years, the Dairy Business Innovation (DBI) Initiatives have helped dairy farmers and processors across the country invest in new products, improve their businesses, enter new markets and create opportunities for growth.

Since the program was established by Congress, the four regional DBI Initiatives have awarded more than $106 million to 911 dairy businesses across 41 states and territories, representing approximately 87% of the nation’s milkshed.

For the first time since the DBI program was established, USDA’s latest funding opportunity requires the four existing DBI Initiatives to provide a 25% cost-share. The organizations administering the initiatives - public universities, a state agency of agriculture and a nonprofit trade association - do not have the resources to meet this new requirement. 

To be clear: without a change, the new cost-share requirement makes it financially unworkable for the existing initiatives to continue operating.

Congress created DBI to strengthen the competitiveness and resilience of America’s dairy industry - and now, Congress needs to hear from you!

CONTACT YOUR LAWMAKERS NOW

Additional Advocacy Resources

Ready to get involved? Email WCMA Senior Director of Programs & Policy Rebekah Sweeney.