Hoosier Dairy farmers, manufacturers and processors can apply until Nov. 10 at 6:00 p.m. ET for a new round of Dairy Business Builder grants through the Dairy Business Innovation Alliance (DBIA), a partnership between the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association and the Center for Dairy Research at the University of Wisconsin – Madison.

“This funding opportunity is new to Indiana, and we want to encourage Hoosier dairy businesses and farmers to apply,” said Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch, the state’s secretary of agriculture and rural development. “Agriculture is the backbone of our state, and our dairy industry is crucial. If Hoosiers take advantage of this opportunity, it will elevate our dairy processing and value-added products.”

The reimbursement grants of up to $100,000 each aim to support small- to medium-sized dairy businesses in diversifying on-farm activity, creating value-added products, enhancing dairy byproducts and creating or enhancing dairy export programs. Competition is open to dairy farmers and processors in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Kansas and Wisconsin.

“Since the inception of the Indiana Dairy Strategy in 2015 and the revamp of the strategy in 2021, our department has worked to increase dairy processing and production in our state and to support our dairies. This funding is a unique opportunity, and I am thankful for this partnership between Indiana and the Dairy Business Innovation Alliance,” said Bruce Kettler, director of the Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA). “I encourage any dairy business eligible to apply to this unique grant.”

David Coates, ISDA agribusiness engagement director, is the coordinator for this grant in Indiana, and he is looking forward to helping dairy businesses expand.

“Dairy Business Builder grants are an excellent path for small-to medium-sized dairy farmers or processors looking to enhance their operation,” he said. “I look forward to working with our hardworking dairy farmers and producers to help them navigate this significant grant opportunity.”

Application materials and resources are now available online at cdr.wisc.edu/dbia

Successful applicants will be notified by Dec. 15, 2022.

Since its creation in the 2018 Farm Bill, the DBIA has administered technical assistance and more than $3.7 million in grants to dairy businesses in five Midwestern states.