The Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association is applauding the release of federal funding from the USDA.
The group held a meeting with Congressional leaders in Washington DC after it was announced that the USDA was freezing direct funding for federal Dairy Business Innovation (DBI) Initiatives and causing concern for hundreds of dairy farmers and processors.
A total of 420 dairy farmers and processors were impacted by the $28.6 million in monies frozen.
The association said they communicated directly with USDA leadership and coordinated a letter to the agency from 120 businesses in 29 states.
WCMA Director Rebekah Sweeney noted, “We want to express our thanks for USDA’s expedited review of this program and today’s decision, and thanks to the dairy leaders who pushed to secure all committed funds, and to the members of Congress who championed our cause – in particular, Senator Tammy Baldwin and Representative Derrick Van Orden of Wisconsin.”
Since the association was launched, over $20 million in more than 250 grants to small and medium-sized dairy businesses.
