Funding Available To Help Western Dairies Grow

Dairy operators looking to improve production, expand marketing and distribution, or looking to develop dairy products, funding to help is available.  Dairy farmers and processors in Washington, Oregon, as well as California, Arizona, Nevada, and New Mexico are encouraged to apply for funding through the Pacific Coast Coalition Dairy Business Innovation Initiative.  It’s expected that more than a dozen grants of roughly $50,000 to $1 million will be distributed.

To help producers, Fresno State will host a Webinar Friday from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. to offer tips and insight about the grant awards.

“This opportunity is part of a whole-farm system approach and increasing collaboration with other farms or dairy sector stakeholders,” said Dr. Carmen Licon Cano, FSU Food Science and Nutrition Department faculty and project director.  Potential projects range from product line expansion and alternative processing technologies to value-added product development. 

The Pacific Coast Coalition Dairy Business Innovation Initiative is funded through the Agricultural Marketing Service and hosted by Fresno State, with collaboration by Oregon State University, Washington State University, as well as Cal Poly Humboldt, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Chapman University, Chico State, UC Davis and the California Dairy Innovation Center.

Click Here to apply.

If you have questions, E-mail Dr. Nancy Van Leuven.

If you have a story idea for the PNW Ag Network, call (509) 547-9791, or e-mail glenn.vaagen@townsquaremedia.com