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About DBIA

The Dairy Business Innovation Alliance (DBIA) is a partnership between the Center for Dairy Research (CDR) and the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association (WCMA) that develops and administers programs providing technical assistance as well as grants to dairy farms and businesses in Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin. To learn more about applying for a DBIA grant, click here.

DBIA Goals

The overall DBIA goal is to find ways to improve the profitability of dairy farmers and processors. This goal is in alignment with the stated objectives of the initiative.

  • Increase on-farm diversification opportunities
  • Create value-added dairy products such as specialty cheeses
  • Focus on export opportunities for farm-scale and processor dairy products

DBIA History

The 2018 U.S. Farm Bill created the Dairy Business Innovation Initiative to assist dairy farmers and dairy processors in creating new revenue streams through farm diversification and the creation of “higher value” food and beverage products containing a dairy ingredient. In 2019, the USDA requested applications that resulted in the selection of three locations as regional hosts for this initiative:

The 2018 Farm Bill lasts for five years.

For each year an award is made, the three regional centers of excellence will receive an equal amount of funding.

The terms of the award require a minimum of 50% of the funds to be distributed as grants to dairy based farms and processors.

DBIA News

DBIA Launches New Mentorship Program for Grant Recipients

Dairy Business Innovation Alliance (DBIA) grant recipients can sign up now to accelerate their business growth with the help of highly experienced dairy industry veterans through DBIA’s new, free mentorship program.

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DBIA Awards $3.2 Million to 37 Dairy Businesses

More than three dozen dairy businesses located across the upper and lower Midwest are receiving Dairy Business Builder grants totaling $3.2 million in allocated funding through the Spring 2024 Dairy Business Builder grant. The grant program is administered by the Dairy Business Innovation Alliance (DBIA), a partnership between the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association (WCMA) and the Center for Dairy Research (CDR) at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. (6/11/2024)

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DBIA Market Report Provides Valuable Insights to U.S. Goat and Sheep Cheese Manufacturers

Opportunities abound for U.S. goat and sheep cheese manufacturers to successfully compete with imported products through packaging improvements and retailer education, according to new market research released by the Dairy Business Innovation Alliance (DBIA). (3/5/2024)
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DBIA Awarding Six Grants Through New Research Program

The Dairy Business Innovation Alliance (DBIA), a partnership between the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association (WCMA) and the Center for Dairy Research (CDR), announced 6 grants totaling $1.2 million for research related to dairy by-products and the bioeconomy. (1/15/2024)
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DBIA to Award Nearly $4M in Grants to 41 Midwest Dairy Businesses

The Dairy Business Innovation Alliance (DBIA), a partnership between the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association (WCMA) and the Center for Dairy Research (CDR), today announces 41 grants totaling nearly $4 million for farmstead operations and dairy processing businesses across the Midwest. (12/11/2023)
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DBIA Awards $2.3 Million to 26 Dairy Businesses

The Dairy Business Innovation Alliance (DBIA) announced the 26 companies and cooperatives that have been selected to receive Dairy Business Builder grants totaling $2.3 million. This year’s awardees hail from all 11 states served by DBIA. (6/6/2023)

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DBIA Awards $2.5 Million to 31 Dairy Businesses

The Dairy Business Innovation Alliance (DBIA) announced the thirty-one companies and cooperatives which, via a competitive review process, have been selected to receive grants totaling nearly $2.5 to support dairy farmers and processors. (1/4/2023)


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WCMA, CDR Cheer USDA Announcement of $20M in Supplemental Funding for Dairy Business Innovation Alliance to Expand Services

The Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association (WCMA) and the Center for Dairy Research (CDR) today applauded the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) direction of $20 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) monies to supplement the work of the Dairy Business Innovation Alliance (DBIA). The additional $20 million in DBIA funding will support an expansion of the program’s service area to include Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, and Ohio. Dairy businesses in broadened service area will also see a boost in direct-to-business grant funding available through DBIA.

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DBIA Announces Dairy Business Builder Grant Recipients

The Dairy Business Innovation Alliance (DBIA) announced the thirty eight companies and cooperatives which, via a competitive review process, have been selected to receive grants totaling over $1.7 million to support dairy farmers and processors. (5/19/2022)


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Historic USDA Investment of $80 Million in Dairy Business Innovation Initiatives

The Dairy Business Innovation Alliance cheered U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack’s direction of $80 million in American Rescue Plan funds to Dairy Business Innovation Initiatives (DBII) first championed by U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisconsin) in the 2018 Farm Bill. Four regional DBII programs, including the Dairy Business Innovation Alliance led by WCMA and the Center for Dairy Research (CDR) at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, will be eligible to apply for up to $20 million in 2022.

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Dairy Business Innovation Alliance Announces 2021 Dairy Industry Impact Grant Recipients

The Dairy Business Innovation Alliance (DBIA) announced the four companies and cooperatives which, via a competitive review process, have been selected to receive grants totaling over $600,000 to develop an innovative idea or tackle a challenge with the potential to advance the dairy industry. (11/8/2021)

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Dairy Business Innovation Alliance Announces 2021 Dairy Business Builder Grant Recipients

The Dairy Business Innovation Alliance (DBIA) announced the 26 companies and cooperatives which, via a competitive review process, have been selected to receive grants totaling $1.19 million. (7/1/2021)

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Baldwin, Congress Allocate $22 Million for Dairy Business Innovation Initiatives

U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisconsin) helped pass a spending package in Congress that allocates $22 million in funding for the Dairy Business Innovation Initiatives in 2021.

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DBIA Awards $230K to Midwest Dairy Farms and Businesses

The Dairy Business Innovation Alliance (DBIA), a partnership between the Center for Dairy Research (CDR) and Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association (WCMA) announced the 13 companies and cooperatives which, via a competitive review process, have been selected to receive grants totaling $230,000. (9/14/20)

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USDA Awards DBIA $6.13M

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that the Center for Dairy Research and Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association (WCMA) have been awarded $6.13 million to support continuation of the Dairy Business Innovation Alliance (DBIA), serving Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, South Dakota and Wisconsin. (8/20/20)

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