Apply Now for Dairy Business Innovation Alliance Grants

Applications are open now for direct-to-business grants across two programs offered by the Dairy Business Innovation Alliance (DBIA). A total of approximately $3 million in funding is 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.

The Dairy Business Builder and Dairy Industry Impact grant programs are administered by DBIA, a partnership between the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association (WCMA) and the Center for Dairy Research (CDR). 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. Businesses pursuing projects focused on exporting or sustainability with a potential impact on the broader industry can apply for the 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. For large equipment expenditures, awards of up to $150,000 may be made due to rising equipment costs. 

Application materials for both grant programs are available online now at dbia.wisc.edu. Applications are due by 5:00 p.m. (CT) on September 30. An informational webinar hosted by DBIA staff will be recorded and accessible online 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. More information, including past project summaries and program impact, is available online at dbia.wisc.edu.