About DBIA

The Dairy Business Innovation Alliance (DBIA)

is a partnership between the Center for Dairy Research (CDR) and the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association (WCMA) that develops and administers programs providing technical assistance as well as grants to dairy farms and businesses in Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin.

Learn more about the DBIA Grant Program

DBIA Goals

The overall DBIA goal is to find ways to improve the profitability of dairy farmers and processors. This goal is in alignment with the stated objectives of the initiative.

  • Increase on-farm diversification opportunities
  • Create value-added dairy products such as specialty cheeses
  • Focus on export opportunities for farm-scale and processor dairy products
DBIA History

2018

The 2018 U.S. Farm Bill created the Dairy Business Innovation Initiative to assist dairy farmers and dairy processors in creating new revenue streams through farm diversification and the creation of “higher value” food and beverage products containing a dairy ingredient.

2019

In 2019, the USDA requested applications that resulted in the selection of three locations as regional hosts for this initiative:

DBIA Staff

See all Staff

Emily Slatter
DBIA Program Coordinator
eslatter@cdr.wisc.edu
608-301-7751
Emily has more than 6 years of experience in program management working in Washington D.C. for the National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine Fellowships Office and an international exchange organization. As DBIA Program Coordinator, Emily administers grant programs and provides business development training and support for dairy entrepreneurs in the Midwest. Emily is excited to support the continued innovation of dairy farmers and dairy processors!
Danica Nilsestuen
WCMA Director of Grants & Sustainability
dnilsestuen@wischeesemakers.org
608-673-5547
As Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association's (WCMA) Director of Grants & Sustainability, Danica Nilsestuen oversees all of the Association's federal and state grant programs, including the DBIA, supporting dairy processors in the Midwest. She also leads the development of dairy sustainability programming for WCMA members, engagement with sustainability partners, and WCMA's Dairy Export Group. Prior to her role at WCMA Danica spent 10 years in workforce development, focusing on industry engagement and leading the administration of federal workforce programming grants.

Dairy Business Innovation Alliance