Center for Dairy Research, Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association awarded Dairy Business Innovation Initiative grant
The funding will go toward low- or no-cost workshops designed to grow the dairy industry, and more.
USDA said the Center for Dairy Research (CDR) and Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association (WCMA), both based in Madison, Wis., were chosen to host a regional Dairy Business Innovation Initiative, serving Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, South Dakota and Illinois. With initial funding of more than $450,000, the project will offer low- or no-cost workshops designed to grow the dairy industry and allocate grants directly to dairy businesses for product development and marketing.
“This initiative will help support farmstead or small dairy businesses as they explore opportunities to create new value-added dairy products like specialty cheeses; in addition, by providing targeted grants to dairy businesses, it will encourage more entrepreneurial efforts,” said John Lucey, CDR director.