Dairy Farmers Are in luck!
For dairy farmers and those who work in related industries and are thinking of expanding or improving their operations, there’s some good news from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
The USDA has $23 million in grant funding available to support dairy farmers and businesses through the Dairy Business Innovation Initiatives program. The grants will support processing capacity expansion and on-farm improvements and provide producers with technical assistance services. The application process is open until August 10.
The grant funds come in two basic categories: (1) technical assistance and (2) “sub-grants” which address other areas, including:
- Business plan development
- Marketing and branding
- Increasing access to innovative production and processing techniques to support the development of value-added products
Interested applicants can contact any of the following four agencies to be considered for a grant:
- The California State University at Fresno
- The University of Tennessee
- The Vermont Agency of Agriculture
- The University of Wisconsin.
Of the $23 million in available funds, a complete 50% will be allocated for the “sub-awards” category, which will focus on projects of modernization, specialization, and grazing of dairy farms, as well as value chain and commodity innovations and product development, packaging, and marketing of dairy products.
Some specific uses could include helping dairy businesses with niche products, including specialty cheese or products derived from the milk of a dairy animal, including cow, sheep, and goat milk. Other focus areas include diversifying dairy product markets to reduce risk and develop higher-value uses for dairy products, promoting business development that diversifies farmer income through processing and marketing innovation, and encouraging the use of regional milk production.
The Request for Applications (RFA), information about grant eligibility, and a list of previously funded projects are available on the Dairy Business Innovation Initiative webpage. The page also includes links to the four initiatives (institutions) where applicants must go to be considered for a grant.
Applicants must complete and submit an electronic application through grants.gov by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on August 10, 2023. For additional information, contact [email protected].
How Cherry’s Industrial Equipment can help dairy farmers and related industries
Cherry’s Industrial Equipment can help grant recipients (and applicants) in a number of ways. When it comes to improving processes in dairy farming and related industries, our plastic pallets are an important step in process improvement. They are not subject to rot and bacterial infestation as wooden pallets can be, and the plastic is much easier to clean. Our material handling equipment can support dairy farm operations in several key ways, including improving speed and efficiency, protecting workers from accidents and injury, and lowering long-term operating costs.
Cherry’s Industrial Equipment can custom design a wide range of material handling equipment to provide a 100 percent solution for any operational issues in these industries.
Cherry’s Industrial Equipment carry an extensive inventory of equipment for material handling for the dairy industry capable of helping you meet sanitary requirements, and your employees increase productivity. You’ll find it in our inventory: lightweight pallets for transporting ingredients on the production line or a solution for safely handling heavy loads while eliminating material waste.
Cherry’s selection of cheese and dairy warehousing and manufacturing equipment includes plastic pallets, lift tables, washing equipment, 90° Tippers & Upenders, stretch wrappers, and pallet inverters.
Cherry’s Industrial warehouse solutions support the needs of dairy farmers, improve efficiencies in the warehouse and reduce the risk of worker injury.
What you can do
If you are in the dairy farming business, don’t overlook this grant opportunity! The links in this article will provide information on how to apply and some tips on how to prepare your application.
Please contact us to see how we can help you. We can discuss practical solutions for your dairy farm or processing facility that will improve speed and efficiencies, provide greater safety and stronger ergonomics, and enhance workflow and use of loading dock space.
The 2023 DBI Grant application period is now open. Applications are due August 10, 2023. Applications received after the due date will be subject to the AMS’ Late Applications, Denials and/or Appeal Procedures (pdf).
https://www.ams.usda.gov/services/grants/dbi/apply
If you’d like to discuss this further, please contact Yarine Velez at 847-354-6128 or email [email protected].
We’re here to help!