As part of a USDA AMS grant focused on Value-Added Dairy Businesses in Tennessee, Kentucky, and North Carolina, we are providing subawards to current and prospective value-added dairy businesses across the three states. This grant application period will open July 15, 2021 and will remain open for two months. Completed applications must be received by October 1, 2021 to be considered for funding.
The scale of projects that can be funded through this phase of funding has grown. Applicants in the three states will have the opportunity to submit project proposals for up to $500,000. The program will support projects of many sizes, but those making requests exceeding $150,000 should operate a permitted dairy farm and/or dairy plant, utilize a large portion of local milk, and include a robust business plan. If you have any questions, please contact one of the state contacts listed below.
State Program Contacts
Tennessee:
Shep Stearns (865) 974-0991
Liz Eckelkamp (865) 974-8167
Kentucky:
Jennifer Hickerson (859) 516-2458
North Carolina:
Brittany Whitmire (828) 577-8598
Stephanie Ward (919) 515-4015
Southeast DBII Grant
Click below to download the 2021 Southeast DBII Grant Application and the Allowable/Unallowable expenses guideline.
Grant Information
The following conditions MUST be met to be eligible to apply for funding through the Southeast Dairy Business Innovation Initiatives program. Initiatives must meet the following three goals:
- Diversify dairy product markets to reduce risk and develop higher value uses for dairy products;
- Promote business development that diversifies farmer income through processing and marketing innovation; and
- Encourage the use of regional milk production.
This subaward program (direct-to-business grants) is intended for existing or prospective dairy businesses. Dairy Businesses are those that that develop, produce, market, or distribute dairy products.
Subawards will only be made to prospective or current dairy businesses. Successful applications must focus on one or more of the following areas.
- Modernization, specialization, and grazing transition on dairy farms
- Value chain and commodity innovation and facility and process updates for dairy processors
- Dairy product development, packaging, and marketing
Grant FAQ’s
Sub-Award Presentation
