U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin, Chair of the Senate Agriculture Appropriations Committee, is applauding an announcement from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) of an additional investment of $80 million in the Dairy Business Innovation (DBI) Initiatives through American Rescue Plan funds. Senator Baldwin authored the bill creating the Dairy Business Innovation Initiative program, successfully shepherding its passage in 2018.
The Dairy Business Innovation Alliance led by Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association and the Center for Dairy Research at the University of Wisconsin-Madison will receive $20 million.
“Wisconsin’s dairy businesses are a key driver of our state’s economy and with all the challenges they face I’m working to do everything I can to help,” said Senator Baldwin. “As our dairy economy faces supply chain challenges, this federal funding from USDA for the Dairy Business Innovation Initiatives will help Wisconsin dairy businesses to address those challenges, grow their business, modernize their dairy plants and reach new markets. It’s critical that farmers, cheesemakers, and dairy processors have tools to innovate and develop new Made in Wisconsin dairy products to build a brighter future for our dairy farms and drive our rural economy forward. I’m thankful that President Biden and Secretary Vilsack are committed partners in supporting Wisconsin’s dairy economy and rural communities.”
