By Jennifer Holton
The Dairy Business Innovation Alliance (DBIA) is accepting applications for its Dairy Business Builder Grant opportunity with eligibility for Michigan companies. The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) joined the federal DBIA program in September 2022. This grant aims 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.
"Diversifying operations and creating higher value products to improve the profitability of dairy farmers and processors is one of our highest priorities" says MDARD Director Tim Boring. "We're proud to be a partner in this program and help more farms and companies Make it in 'Michigan'."
Since the creation of the 2018 U.S. Farm Bill, the DBIA has awarded 213 grants totaling more than $16.5 million to dairy businesses within the Midwest service area. Reimbursement grants of up to $100,000 each will be awarded to different dairy businesses after a competitive review process.
During previous rounds of funding, 37 businesses were awarded a total of $3.3 million. Two Michigan companies were among those awarded including Mossy Creek Farm in Kalkaska and Michigan Cream & Sugar Ice Cream Company in Bay City. Previous award recipients can be found online.
A webinar for the Dairy Business Builder Grant will be held on Wednesday, August 21, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. (CT). Registration for the webinar can be found online. Applications for the grant will be accepted until 5:00 p.m. (CT) on October 23, 2024. Award announcements will be made in mid-December 2024.
Source : michigan.gov