A new U.S. Department of Agriculture cost-matching requirement for dairy grants is being assailed as an existential threat to small dairy farms, according to a report by Wisconsin Public Radio.
The requirement, announced last month by the Trump administration, could affect $12.7 million in federal grant money available through four nonprofit Dairy Business Innovation Initiative distribution centers, including one in Wisconsin.
The grants help small farm operators update their facilities and diversify their product portfolio, but the requirement to provide 25% matching funds for all grants could essentially end the program, said Rebekah Sweeney, policy director at the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association.
Sweeney said there has never been a matching requirement for the grants.
She characterized the grant program as crucial to the survival of small dairy farms, as the grants have helped more than 900 farm operations nationally with nearly $100 million in funding.
