New DBIA Grant Now Open for Goat, Sheep, Mixed Milk Processors

Midwestern dairy businesses working with goat, sheep, or mixed milk can apply for a share of $70,000 in grant funding through the Dairy Business Innovation Alliance (DBIA), with applications opening today, March 23. Processors in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin are eligible for these funds.

The Goat and Sheep Processors Grant Program is administered by the Dairy Business Innovation Alliance, a partnership between the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association and the Center for Dairy Research.

“The momentum we’re seeing in sheep and goat dairy is real - and it’s accelerating,” said WCMA Executive Director John Umhoefer. “Consumer demand for diverse, specialty, and value-added dairy products continues to grow, creating new opportunities for producers and processors across the Midwest. These grants are designed to help sheep and goat businesses capitalize on those trends, scale their operations, and bring innovative products to market.”

Businesses may apply for funding to support educational training, product development trials, or trade show participation. Awards of up to $6,000 are available per applicant. Application materials are available online at dbia.wisc.edu. Applications are due by 5:00 p.m. (CT) on April 16.

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 nearly $24 million across more than 290 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.