The Trump administration's policies have hit U.S. farmers hard, including by the sudden and unexpected freezing of grants already approved for numerous cheesemakers and small dairies across the country, including here in California and the western States (grantees include one manufacturer that transformed to eco-friendly packaging, another a dairy with just seven cows!).
The Cheese Trail has benefited, too, with a small grant to support the development of our Cheese Directory, as well as to extend our marketing support to cheesemakers in six states. The freezing of these producer grants is a horrible shock to the cheesemaker community and threatens economic disaster, as grantees are only reimbursed by the grant program *after* they've spent the money. Now, with grant funds frozen, cheesemakers face a new, potentially business-threatening financial crisis. This recklessness is also impacting the universities which are sponsoring / administrating the grants, and which are now, as a direct result, on the hook for millions of dollars and are being forced to make cuts to their staffing and programs in order to cover the funding shortfall.
These limited grants are examples of excellent use of taxpayer funds, reinvesting into small businesses in local and rural communities, with highly targeted projects that create life-altering change, transforming businesses, streamlining processes, bringing in new business, bringing about economic and sustainable growth.
We are re-publishing the press release from the PCC DBII, the grant administrators for our region, and urge all of you who care about cheesemakers and family farmers to contact your representatives in Washington D.C. and to urge them to lift the freeze and reinstate the funding. You can also email Brooke Rollins, Secretary of Agriculture, and/or email the USDA general mailbox.
Together, perhaps our voices will be heard. We are, as always, grateful for your support of our amazing food and farming community.
Vivien & Michael Straus (siblings)
Cheese Trail
---
Fresno, CA
Monday, March 3, 2025
Pacific Coast Coalition Urges USDA to Release Frozen Grant Funding for Dairy Businesses
The Pacific Coast Coalition Dairy Innovation Initiative (PCC DBII) is calling on the U.S.
Department of Agriculture (USDA) to immediately lift the freeze on all Dairy Business Innovation
(DBI) grant funds, a move that has halted critical financial support for dairy farmers and
processors across the country.
The USDA confirmed that DBI funding has been frozen, putting $26.6 million in grant obligations
on hold nationwide. PCC DBII, which administers USDA DBI grants in the Pacific Coast region,
has more than $10 million in active contracts that are due for reimbursements.
“These funds are essential to supporting dairy farmers and processors in building resilience, expanding capacity,
and exploring new product innovations,” said Dr. Carmen Licon Cano, Director of Pacific Coast
Coalition DBII. “This is not just about dollars—it’s about the future of our dairy industry and the
states that PCC-DBII supports: WA, OR, CA, NV, AZ, and NM depend on these grants to
survive.”
The freeze directly affects small and medium-sized dairy businesses, many of which are
operating on tight margins. The funding delay puts these families, businesses, and communities
at risk, especially those that have already made investments based on promised grant
reimbursements.
“Our dairy producers and processors have worked hard to innovate and grow in an increasingly
challenging marketplace,” added Dr. Susan Pheasant,“cowkeeper” for the PCC-DBII. “For
many, these grants are the difference between moving forward or closing. They can’t afford a
funding pause—they need action now.”
PCC-DBIII urges the USDA to honor its commitments and release the funds immediately. The
coalition also encourages dairy businesses and industry stakeholders—whether directly
impacted or not—to join in advocating for the release of these critical grant dollars.
For more information on how to support this effort, please contact PCC DBII.
