Late. Baldwin: Applauds USDA funding of $ 80 million in dairy enterprise innovation initiatives
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Wisconsin eligible for $ 20 million in further funding via American Rescue Plan funds
WASHINGTON, DC – US Senator Tammy Baldwin, Chair of the Senate Agriculture Appropriations Committee, is applauding an announcement from the US Division of Agriculture (USDA) of a further funding of $ 80 million within the Dairy Enterprise Innovation (DBI) Initiatives via American Rescue Plan funds. Senator Baldwin authored the invoice creating the Dairy Enterprise Innovation Initiative program, efficiently shepherding its passage in 2018.
The Dairy Enterprise Innovation Alliance led by the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Affiliation and the Heart for Dairy Analysis on the College of Wisconsin-Madison will obtain $ 20 million.
“Wisconsin’s dairy companies are a key driver of our state’s economic system and with all of the challenges they face I’m working to do every thing I can to assist,” stated Senator Baldwin. “As our dairy economic system faces provide chain challenges, this federal funding from USDA for the Dairy Enterprise Innovation Initiatives will assist Wisconsin dairy companies handle these challenges, develop their enterprise, modernize their dairy vegetation and attain new markets. It’s essential that farmers, cheesemakers, and dairy processors have instruments to innovate and develop new Made in Wisconsin dairy merchandise to construct a brighter future for our dairy farms and drive our rural economic system ahead. I’m grateful that President Biden and Secretary Vilsack are dedicated companions in supporting Wisconsin’s dairy economic system and rural communities. ”
“It is a historic funding in dairy companies, and so very important at a time of commerce volatility, labor shortages, and provide chain disruptions difficult dairy farm and dairy processor companies,” stated John Umhoefer, Wisconsin Cheese Makers Affiliation Govt Director. “It demonstrates the agency dedication of the Biden Administration, Secretary Vilsack, and Senator Baldwin to stabilize and strengthen the U.S. dairy trade in methods that may allow us to satisfy the calls for of a rising worldwide market.”
In November 2021, DBI awarded $ 18.4 million to 3 present Initiatives on the College of Wisconsin, College of Tennessee, and Vermont Company for Meals and Advertising and marketing, and $ 1.8 million to a brand new initiative at California State College Fresno. Beneath the present DBI program, which was beforehand introduced via an FY21 Request for Purposes (RFA), every Initiative will now have the chance to submit further proposals for as much as $ 20 million in American Rescue Plan funds to additional assist processing capability growth, on- farm enhancements, and investments in provide chain resiliency. Baldwin voted for the American Rescue Plan final 12 months.
Since its inception in 2019, DBI initiatives have offered invaluable technical help and sub-grants to dairy farmers and companies throughout their areas, helping them with marketing strategy growth, advertising and marketing and branding, in addition to growing entry to revolutionary manufacturing and processing strategies to assist the event of value-added merchandise. Separate from this supplemental American Rescue Plan funding, the USDA’s Agricultural Advertising and marketing Service (AMS) plans to announce a brand new DBI Request for Purposes later in FY22 contingent upon appropriations.
AMS helps US meals and agricultural merchandise market alternatives, whereas growing shopper entry to contemporary, wholesome meals via utilized analysis, technical companies, and Congressionally funded grants. To be taught extra about AMS’s investments in enhancing and strengthening agricultural programs, go to www.ams.usda.gov/grants.
Since 2019, the Dairy Enterprise Innovation Alliance has served dairy companies in Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, South Dakota and Wisconsin, working to extend on-farm diversification, assist the creation of recent value-added dairy merchandise, together with specialty cheeses, and develop dairy export endeavors. For extra details about the Dairy Enterprise Innovation Alliance, go to www.cdr.wisc.edu/dbia.
“This added funding in DBII will assist the creation of higher-wage, family-supporting jobs and assist strengthen rural communities,” stated Umhoefer. “We’re grateful for the chance to develop the impression of the Dairy Enterprise Innovation Alliance, and for Sen. Baldwin’s management to create and maintain our program. ”