February 2022 - The Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center (NE-DBIC), hosted by the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets, invests in projects that advance the regional dairy industry. A range of funding opportunities for farmers, processors, and industry partners will be available from the NE-DBIC in 2022:
Open now - Dairy Product Packaging Innovation Grant: Funding for modernized dairy product packaging initiatives that prioritize sustainability, scalability, and marketability. Pre-applications are open now through March 10.
Opening soon - Multi-Business Dairy Agritourism Grant: Funding for projects that elevate multiple dairy businesses through activities that engage consumers and promote regionally produced dairy products. The request for applications is available February 8, and applications open February 22, 2022.
April - Dairy Marketing & Branding Services Grant: Funding for value-added dairy processors to access professional services to implement marketing tactics, brand improvements, and overall strategy.
June - Dairy Processor Innovation Grant: Funding for dairy processors to make key developments in operations, products, marketing, and other strategies to position their businesses for long-term success.
August - Dairy Producer Innovation Grant: Funding for dairy farms to take a holistic approach to implementing community- and climate-forward dairy production and business strategies.
For more information on NE-DBIC grants as well as business and technical assistance, research, events, and other opportunities for the Northeast dairy sector, visit agriculture.vermont.gov/dbic
CAPTION - Fat Toad Farm of Brookfield, VT created virtual tours of their goat milk caramel production process and their partner farm Ayers Brook Goat Dairy using funds from a NE-DBIC Multi-
Business Dairy Agritourism Grant in 2021. Photo courtesy of Fat Toad Farm.
Seeking Reviewers for NE-DBIC Grant Applications
Do you want to help the Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center (NE-DBIC) make impactful investments that advance the regional dairy industry? The NE-DBIC is currently recruiting people with experience in the dairy sector across the northeast region to help review applications for NE-DBIC's upcoming competitive funding opportunities including topics of food safety; marketing and branding; agritourism; and innovation in packaging, dairy processing, and production. Grant reviewers will score applications to identify projects that best meet the goals of each grant program. Reviewers are eligible to apply for and participate in NE-DBIC funded grants and other opportunities themselves. If you’re interested in being a reviewer in 2022, please email Julia.Scheier@vermont.gov.