USDA-AMS-TM-DBII-G-22-0008

Background
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), is requesting applications for the fiscal year (FY) 2022 from existing initiatives of the Dairy Business Innovation (DBI) Initiatives program. These initiatives aim to diversify dairy product markets, promote business development that diversifies farmer income through processing and marketing innovation, and encourage the use of regional milk production. The program is authorized by section 12513 of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (2018 Farm Bill) Public Law 115—334.

Grant Details
Initiatives are expected to perform projects from FY 2022 through FY 2025 and submit a non-competing application for each FY in which the DBI Initiatives are appropriated funds during this tenure. Initiatives provide direct technical assistance and make sub-grants to dairy businesses. They must also build on previous efforts to engage existing dairy industry resources, including dairy farm density and suitability, as well as activities conducted by dairy promotion and research programs.

Eligibility Requirements
Eligible applicants are current initiatives at the California State University Fresno Foundation, the University of Tennessee, the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets, and the University of Wisconsin. An applicant may subcontract or subaward with partners and collaborators. The program does not have a Federal cost sharing or matching requirement.

Period of Performance
Projects must be completed within 3 years from September 30, 2022 to September 30, 2025.

Grant Value
$22.9 million is available in FY 2022 to fund applications under this solicitation. Each initiative is eligible to apply for a specific amount of funding indicated in the RFA.