$3.45 Million Awarded to the Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center

Funding will support dairy farmers and processors in 11 states

February 3, 2026 | Montpelier, VT - The Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center (NE-DBIC) has been awarded $3.45 million in funding from the USDA. As one of four Dairy Business Innovation Initiatives (DBI) in the country, the NE-DBIC serves dairy farmers and processors across 11 states, including: Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont.

This is the seventh round of funding since the DBI was established under the 2018 Farm Bill. Funds directly support dairy farmers and processors with modernization, innovation, and increasing efficiency and sustainability across the dairy sector.

From improving efficiency and milk production to increasing jobs and expanding markets, NE-DBIC grants have immediate and long-term positive impacts for individual businesses and the entire supply chain.

This additional $3.45 million will extend NE-DBIC's ability to provide grant funds to dairy farmers and processors for innovation and modernization projects. With this latest disbursement, NE-DBIC has received a total of $52.7 million for projects extending through 2028.

Anson Tebbetts, Secretary of the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets said, "Dairy delivers for Vermont and the region, but affordability remains a real challenge for farmers. These investments will help reduce costs on the farm while continuing to deliver high-quality dairy products for consumers. We are grateful for our strong partnership with USDA and for the ongoing support of Congress as we work together to strengthen the dairy sector."

"This funding strengthens dairy businesses across the Northeast by supporting innovation, modernization, and long-term resilience," said Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Commissioner Amanda Beal. "NE-DBIC investments help farmers and processors stay competitive while supporting jobs and our local and regional food systems."

New York State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball said , "These grants are great news for New York's dairy farms and will allow them to make the critical facility upgrades needed to keep up with a changing marketplace. I am happy to see this level of dedicated support by the NE-DBIC to our dairy farms and processors. New York's dairy industry is the top sector of our agricultural economy, and I am grateful to our partners here in the Northeast for their commitment to ensuring our farms remain strong and viable in the future."

In March, NE-DBIC is hosting the Northeast Dairy Innovation Summit in Albany, NY. The Summit will highlight the impacts and successes of funding, and bring together farmers, processors, and stakeholders across the region.

The NE-DBIC's investment and project strategy promotes innovation and resiliency for regional production of dairy products across an 11-state Northeast region. Established in the 2018 Farm Bill, NE-DBIC is hosted by the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets, and is funded through the USDA-AMS.

Contact: Katie Spring (she/her) | NE-DBIC Communications Manager | Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center | 802-522-3186