MADISON, WIS. — With President Donald Trump making cuts to federal agencies and programs, as well as implementing freezes on funding, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) currently isn’t providing finance for Dairy Business Innovation (DBI) initiatives.
The Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association (WCMA) shared that it submitted a letter to secretary of agriculture Brooke Rollins in which it called upon Rollins to “immediately release congressionally directed funding” that supports the DBI program, which was created to provide direct technical assistance to dairy businesses.
WCMA shared that the DBI freeze, confirmed by the agency this week, jeopardizes $26.6 million in grant funding for dairy companies throughout the United States.
“The funds provided through DBIs empower dairy farmers and processors to grow their capacity, explore new innovations and become more resilient,” WCMA senior director of programs and policy Rebekah Sweeney said. “These programs are much more than money – they strengthen the fabric of America’s dairy industry.”
Sweeney said WCMA’s members are “deeply concerned” about the impact of the freeze and they urged USDA to “honor its commitment to our nation’s dairy businesses and release this funding now.”
The Dairy Business Innovation Alliance (DBIA), which is administered by WCMA and the Center for Dairy Research, is one of four DBI centers in the US.
WCMA noted DBIA currently has 88 awards in process, “with nearly $6.5 million in outstanding promised reimbursement,” and said close to 90% of DBIA monies were awarded to “very small businesses, employing less than 50 people.”
Sweeney said such operations run on “tight margins, hard work and a shared passion for feeding the world,” adding that the businesses often are staffed by families or a small team of community members.
“They cannot afford a funding pause; they need action now,” Sweeney said.
WCMA also shared that people in the dairy industry, regardless of any ties to DBI assistance, may join the association’s call for action online.
