OMDG Advocacy - Washington
[[Date]]
The Honorable Patty Murray
Chair
Senate Committee on Appropriations
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510
Dear Chair Murray,
As dairy farmers and stakeholders in Washington, along with partner businesses that source milk or have significant representation in the state, we offer strong endorsement and support for the DairyBusiness InnovationInitiative(DBII).
To ensure their continued success we urge lawmakers to pass a final fiscal year 2025 agriculture spending bill that invests [add $ amount, this will be between $17 and 23 million and dependent on House floor amdt] amongst the four DBII centers. While we believe the DBII’s have an ability to manage and award $36 million annually, securing the highest level of funding in conference negotiations is needed.
This crucial federal program provides the opportunity for regional strategies, unique partnerships, and innovative solutions within the dairy industry. Critical to our economy and food security the dairy industry provides $794 billion in overall economic impact nationally[1] and generates more than $1.2 billion in direct economic impact for the state of Washington[2].
DBII projects convene farmers, cooperatives, industry partners, and academia to tackle production, processing, and marketing needs of the dairy industry specific to each initiative’s coverage area. Administered by the USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS),the Initiative provides resources to four regional initiatives that are headquartered in the states of California, Vermont, Tennessee, and Wisconsin. The regional initiatives then offer tailored grant opportunities to dairy businesses and other stakeholders. From small farmstead grants to processing equipment support for regional/national dairy processors, the DBIIs offer a range of awards for hundreds of projects seeking to grow and modernize the dairy industry.
Since its inception in 2021, the Pacific Coast Coalition-DBII has directed more than $25 million into optimizing the resources available to the small and medium multi-generational family businesses responsible for our nation’s milk, cheese, yogurt, and more.[3]
In Washington specifically, 14 grants have been awarded to dairy farmers and creameries for just over $1.2 million to modernize, specialize, expand, investigate, and/or market the use of regionally produced milk to higher-value products. Additional funding of $26,488 was also provided for technical assistance and internships to dairy businesses. Multiple subawards to Washington State University were provided to help support a faculty member, staff member, and equipment in the amount of $392,200. In total, $1,559,300 has been provided in the state of Washington through the DBII program.
We urge you to prioritize DBII funding at the maximum level possible in the FY 2025 appropriations cycle. An investment in the DBII is an investment in the future of U.S. dairy and our nation’s economy.
We appreciate your leadership on the Seante Committee for Appropriations and welcome questions or a discussion about the importance the American dairy industry in the state of Washington.
Sincerely,
[1] International Dairy Farmers Association - https://www.idfa.org/dairydelivers
[2] Washington Farm Bureau - Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA)