Dairy grants are making an impact across the Northeast.
At the Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center (NE-DBIC), we support dairy businesses through access to grants, technical assistance, and education. Our work invests in a regional dairy system where dairy farms and processors enjoy viable and healthy businesses that benefit the land, livestock, community, and our regional economy. The results of these investments are highlighted in the NE-DBIC Regional Impact Report.
Since 2020, we’ve helped hundreds of dairy farms and processors across 11 states grow their businesses.
From farm modernization to marketing and branding to processor expansion, NE-DBIC grants make an impact not only on individual businesses, but also on the supply chain across the region. Thanks in part to these grants, Northeast dairy farmers and processors have stronger businesses, and their customers have better access to regionally produced dairy products like milk, yogurt, cheese, butter, and ice cream.
See some of our grantee spotlights in the NE-DBIC Regional Impact Report.
There’s more work to be done – and future grant programs can help.
As shown in the NE-DBIC Regional Impact Report, from 2020 through 2024, we received 1016 applications for funding. This represents over $87 million in grant requests. As of December 1, 2024, we’ve funded 367 applications, totaling $33.8 million.
The difference between grant requests and awards shows the need and desire for dairy system funding across the region. Our upcoming grants can help meet some of this need.
A note on our funding:
NE-DBIC is one of four regional centers funded through the Dairy Business Innovation Initiative, which was created through the 2018 Farm Bill. All of our funding comes through the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service. The extension of the 2018 Farm Bill authorized funding for NE-DBIC through September 2027.
The next Farm Bill will determine the future funding of NE-DBIC. Until then, we look forward to serving dairy businesses with our allocated funds through grant programs for the next two years.
To learn more about the impact of these dairy grants, please view our NE-DBIC Regional Impact Report:
