The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) has announced that Wisconsin dairy processors can apply for dairy processor grants by noon Sept. 1.
Dairy processor grants aim to foster innovation, improve profitability and sustain the long-term viability of Wisconsin’s dairy processing facilities. Due to the ongoing success of this program in supporting innovation at dairy processors across the state, Gov. Tony Evers and the Wisconsin Legislature included additional funding for this program in the 2025-2027 biennial budget.
Eligible applicants must operate a licensed dairy processing plant in Wisconsin that is engaged in pasteurizing, processing or manufacturing milk or dairy products. Funding from these grants can be used to address a range of dairy business needs such as food safety, staff training, plant expansion or modernization and professional consulting services.
“Wisconsin’s dairy industry contributes $52.8 billion annually to Wisconsin’s economy,” said DATCP Secretary Randy Romanski. “The innovative dairy processors across the state contribute to this economic impact and make Wisconsin cheese a household name across the state, nation and world.”
Awardees will be chosen through a competitive selection process and may receive grants of up to $50,000 per project. Recipients are required to provide a match of 20% of the grant amount.
The grant application and more information are available at https://datcp.wi.gov/pages/agdevelopment/dairyprocessorgrants.aspx. An informational webinar will be held following the release of the request for proposal. Grant recipients will be announced in fall 2026.
Since the program started in 2014, DATCP has received 283 dairy processor grant proposals requesting more than $12.1 million and has funded 148 of those proposals totaling $3.8 million.
