LANSING, Mich. – The Dairy Business Innovation Alliance (DBIA) is accepting applications for its latest Dairy Business Builder Grant opportunity, with eligibility for Michigan farms, processors, and companies.

The grants aim to encourage small- to medium-sized dairy farmers, entrepreneurs, and processors in the Midwest to pursue projects such as dairy farm diversification, on-farm processing, value-added product creation, and efforts to market dairy products for export.

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) joined the federal DBIA program in September 2022.

“Diversifying operations and creating higher value products to improve the profitability of dairy farmers and processors is one of our highest priorities,” said Tim Boring, MDARD director, said in a statement. “We’re proud to be a partner in this program, and help more farms and companies ‘Make it in Michigan.’”

Since its inception as part of the 2018 Farm Bill, the DBIA, located in Madison, Wis., and a partnership between the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association and the Center for Dairy Research, has awarded 213 grants totaling more than $16.5 million to dairy businesses in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.

“The grant program awards up to $100,000 as reimbursement grants,” Emily Slatter, DBIA program coordinator, told Farm World. “All awardees must be a dairy farm or dairy business within the 11-state Dairy Business Innovation Alliance region.

“Projects are generally focused on dairy processing, falling within one of the four Dairy Business Innovation Alliance goals (i.e., dairy farm diversification, creation of value-added products, enhancement of dairy commodity and by-products, or exporting),” she said. “The application includes a project summary, work plan and timeline, project budget, and business plan.”

The program also offers technical assistance and education to dairy farmers and processors in the region.

During previous rounds of funding in June, 37 businesses were awarded a total of $3.3 million, including two Michigan companies, Mossy Creek Farm in Kalkaska, for the expansion of artisan chevre (a creamy textured cheese available with herbs in various flavor combinations) in Northern Michigan markets; and Michigan Cream & Sugar Ice Cream Co., in Bay City, for the expansion of ice cream production capacity at a new facility.

Kristina Lane, owner of Mossy Creek Farm along with her husband Travis, also farms with their oldest daughter, Emma, 16; their son Donnie, 11; and their youngest daughter Aubree, 6.

“Being awarded this grant has meant everything to me,” she told Farm World. “I wouldn’t have been able to pursue this without it. We are a first-generation farm, so we are hoping our kids will take it over one day. It also means that other people believe in my dream, and in me.

“We are currently in the construction phase of our small goat cheese operation where we will be milking 50 or so Nubian goats to start, and processing the cheese right on the farm,” she added.

Boring said, “Michigan’s robust dairy industry is resilient and strong even in the face of unprecedented challenges. Safe, nutritious dairy products continue to be produced and processed locally across our state.

“Michigan’s dairy industry contributes over $15 billion to the state’s economy, and investments like these highlight the possibility for even more economic growth,” he added. “Mossy Creek Farm and Michigan Cream & Sugar Ice Cream Co., are prominent examples of why Michigan is a food and agriculture destination, with expanding and exciting opportunities.”

Applications for this latest round of grant funding will be accepted until 6 p.m., Oct. 23, with award announcements made in mid-December.