U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) have introduced the Dairy Business Innovation Act of 2025. This bipartisan legislation will expand the Dairy Business Innovation Initiatives (DBII) to help more American dairy farmers and processors grow their businesses.
The bill will provide funding to support dairy farmers in creating new products, expanding markets, and modernizing facilities. Since its creation in the 2018 Farm Bill, the Baldwin-backed program has supported over 250 dairy farmers and processors in the Midwest. This includes 109 in Wisconsin.
“My Dairy Business Innovation Initiative has helped Wisconsin dairy farmers, producers, and cheesemakers grow their operations, tap into new markets, and also innovate new products,” said Senator Baldwin. “This program has helped businesses improve packaging, lower shipping costs, and create jobs in rural communities.”
Senator Blackburn emphasized the bill’s importance for small dairy farms. “The dairy industry is essential to the American economy. With many small Tennessee dairies struggling, this bill will help them diversify and remain competitive.”
The DBII program funds regional dairy innovation centers that work with farmers and processors to:
- Support new and expanding dairy businesses through business planning and market strategy.
- Promote innovation by assisting with product development, branding, packaging, and supply chain improvements.
- Modernize dairy plants by upgrading facilities, improving food safety, and enhancing sustainability.
The Dairy Business Innovation Act of 2025 will increase annual program funding from $20 million to $36 million. The bill has received strong support from major dairy organizations. These include the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association, National Milk Producers Federation, and Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation.
“Dairy Business Innovation Initiatives have spurred both farm and processor business growth over the past five years, strengthening rural economies and creating career opportunities, but our work is far from done. Increased program funding is critical now as the dairy industry faces new market volatility, labor challenges, and inflation,” said Rebekah Sweeney, senior director of programs and policy for the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association.
