USDA invests US$11.04M to support U.S. dairy businesses

USA – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced US$11.04 million in investments to bolster dairy businesses and producers through the Dairy Business Innovation Initiatives (DBI) grant program. 

This funding is designed to support small and mid-sized dairy operations in the development, production, marketing, and distribution of dairy products.

The funding will be allocated to four established DBI initiatives at California State University, Fresno; the University of Tennessee; the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets; and the University of Wisconsin. 

Each initiative will utilize the funding to deliver crucial technical assistance and subawards to dairy farmers and businesses in their respective regions. 

The assistance will include business plan development, marketing and branding efforts, as well as enhancing access to innovative production and processing techniques to encourage the creation of value-added dairy products.

In California, Oregon, and Washington, the Pacific Coast Coalition will leverage US$690,000 in new funding to assist farmers in exploring higher-value applications for milk, including artisanal cheeses and organic dairy products. 

The Coalition’s workforce training program ensures that dairy businesses remain competitive, facilitating market diversification and additional income streams.

The University of Tennessee will allocate US$3.45 million to support farmers across 12 states in the Southeast. 

This initiative will enable the integration of innovative practices in dairy innovation, product safety, farm sustainability, and workforce development to enhance financial outcomes and diversify the dairy supply chain.

In the Northeast, Vermont’s Dairy Business Innovation Center will also receive US$3.45 million to expand its reach. 

The initiative has already provided US$31 million in support for 333 projects, focusing on farm modernization and energy efficiency improvements to bolster resilience and efficiency within the region’s dairy sector.

The Dairy Business Innovation Alliance in Wisconsin will similarly utilize US$3.45 million to empower dairy farmers and processors in the Midwest through grant programs and technical assistance. 

The alliance will emphasize expanding market opportunities and supporting value-added dairy product innovation.

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack expressed the USDA’s commitment to maintaining the competitiveness of America’s dairy industry, stating that the initiative aims to help the sector access new markets, foster innovation, and stimulate economic growth. 

He highlighted that the DBI initiatives have invested over US$64 million into more than 600 projects, contributing to increased resiliency in the dairy supply chain and expanding economic growth in rural communities.

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