Dairy Marketing & Branding Services Grant

Grant Overview

This grant is closed.

The Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center was established in the 2018 Farm Bill and is funded through the USDA-AMS.  The first extension of the 2018 Farm Bill ensured NE-DBIC funding for specific grants through 2027. Until a new Farm Bill is authorized, and depending on funding levels, this particular grant will not be offered again. 

The Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center (NE-DBIC) announces the availability of funds through the Dairy Marketing and Branding Services Grant Program. This grant will provide funds to help established value-added dairy processors, producer associations, and dairy brands strengthen their brand and expand market reach. This funding supports hiring professional marketing or branding experts to develop strategies that increase consumer awareness, improve product positioning, and drive sales of value-added dairy products. By working with industry professionals, dairy businesses can enhance their branding, refine messaging, and identify new market opportunities for regionally produced dairy products. 

At least 75% of the grant funds must be used to contract marketing or branding professionals who will lead the project by developing brand strategy, promotional content, or market positioning plans. Applicants may not select a contractor before receiving an award, but they are expected to gather quotes and proposals to inform their project scope. The hired professional must meet federal grant requirements, including cost guidelines. 

Up to 25% of the grant funds may be used to implement the professional’s recommendations, such as producing marketing materials, launching advertising campaigns, or updating packaging and website content, and more.  

Awards will range from $10,000 – $50,000 with a with a cash and/or in-kind match requirement match requirement of 25%.  

Total funds available: $200,000 

Eligibility

Applicants from any Northeast state can apply: Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont. The following applicants are eligible to apply:  

  1. Licensed dairy processors that:  
    • Transform raw fluid milk, dairy components, or dairy mix into an edible product meant for human consumption. 
    • Hold a license that permits the sale of their dairy products across state lines, even if they are not currently doing interstate sales. 
    • Are headquartered or based in the Northeast. 
    • Source or produces milk or dairy components from within the Northeast. 
    • Manufacture products within the Northeast. 
  2. Producer associations that represent, support, or promote dairy products originating from the Northeast. For the purposes of this grant, a producer association group, also known as a trade association, industry trade group, business association, sector association, or industry body, is an organization founded and funded by businesses that operate in a specific industry. Producer associations are eligible if: 
    • The project will primarily benefit dairy processors in the Northeast. 
    • They provide at least one Letter of Support from one of the partner dairy processors.  
    • The majority of partner processors qualify under 1. above.  
    • Associations receiving the majority of their funds from producer check-off dollars are not eligible.
  3.  Dairy brands that market Northeast dairy products produced by a licensed dairy processor under a co-packing or other arrangement. For the purposes of this grant, a dairy brand is a business that develops and markets dairy products but may not operate its own processing facilities. Dairy brands own the rights to their products’ recipes, branding, and distribution, but work with licensed dairy processors, such as co-packers, to produce their products. White-label retailers, who rebrand products developed and produced by another company but do not own exclusive rights to the product, are not eligible. Dairy brands are eligible if: 
    • A Letter of Commitment from the partner processor is included in the application. 
      • The co-packing partner needs to meet the eligibility requirements of a licensed dairy processor above. 

How to Apply

  1. Review the full 2025 Request for Applications (RFA) for the complete details on eligible projects/applicants and the application process.
  2. Register in WebGrants (may take up to two business days).
  3. Complete your application in WebGrants using our Application Guide.  
  4. This grant is closed.

Previous Rounds

Interested in developing a project concept? View grantee spotlights from current and past projects through this grant program, including Sweet Rowen Farm, Pariva, Gifford’s Ice Cream, Henry Farms of Knox, Our Family Farms, Ploughgate Creamery, Bridgman Hill Farm, Three Charm Farm, Bohanan and Oake Knoll Farm, and Wright’s Dairy Farm. 

Have a Question about this Grant?

Have a question? Contact Ali Boochever: ali.boochever@vermont.gov | (802) 261-5740, or book an appointment to talk.

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