USDA Revises Dairy Business Innovation Program Cost-Share Requirements Following Industry Feedback
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has modified the cost-share requirements for its Dairy Business Innovation (DBI) Initiatives program. This revision follows extensive discussions with the four DBI centers and various dairy industry stakeholders, as reported by the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association (WCMA). Under the updated 2026 Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), the four DBI centers are no longer mandated to provide matching funds for their applications or for administrative activities related to managing their programs. This change aims to ensure the continued operation of these centers as they have in the past. However, dairy businesses, including farmers and processors, that receive subawards through these centers will still be subject to a cost-share requirement. The USDA has granted each DBI center the flexibility to establish this cost share within a range of 10% to 25% of the federal funds requested. This adjustment is seen as a critical step in maintaining the program's accessibility ...
