DAT CP Dairy Processor Grant application open through January 30
The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) invites Wisconsin dairy processors to apply for dairy processor grants through January 30, 2023. These grants aim to foster innovation, improve profitability, and sustain the long-term viability of Wisconsin’s dairy processing facilities.
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 wide range of dairy business needs such as food safety, staff training, plant expansion or modernization, and professional consulting services.
“Since this program began in 2014, demand for grants have outpaced available funding,” said DATCP Secretary Randy Romanski. “Here in America’s Dairyland, our hardworking dairy processors lead the way in innovation and modernization. Governor Evers recognizes this, and in the biennial budget, doubled the funding for the dairy processor grants from $200,000 to $400,000 annually.”
Grants will be awarded for projects up to $50,000 and two years in duration. Processors are required to provide a match of 20 percent of the grant amount. Recipients will be chosen through a competitive selection process.
The grant application is available at https://datcp. wi.gov/Pages/Growing_WI/DairyDevelopment.aspx. Applications are due to DATCP Grants Manager Ryan Dunn at ryand.dunn@wisconsin.gov by 5 p.m. on Friday, January 30, 2023. Grant recipients will be announced in March 2023.
Since 2014, DATCP has received 161 dairy processor grant proposals requesting more than $6.3 million. DATCP has funded 85 of those proposals totaling $1.7 million. For more information on dairy processor grants, visit DATCP’s website.
Past club presidents gathered at the Medford Curling Club on Saturday to share stories of their time leading the club and to offer advice for 2022-2023 club president Dave Hraby. There were 29 out of the 41 living club presidents at the event. It has been several years since the past presidents have gathered. While many remain active with the club, others have retired or gone on to other things. The event was put on by the club as a thank-you to the service and dedication each past president gave to the organization. (Left) Bill Grunewald who served as president from 2019-2021 was one of the organizers of the gathering and welcomed all those in attendance sharing events from his time in office.Elizabeth Wilson/The Star News
