By Kathryn Donovan, VT Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets
Dairy Food Safety and Certification Grant Award Announcement
In the most recent iteration of this grant program, the Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center (NEDBIC) was able to support 12 projects being taken on by different farmers and processors throughout the region for a total of $305,866.89. This program helps dairy farmers, processors, and/or producer associations take actionable steps to improve the safety of dairy products and improve marketability.
The Vermont projects for this round include Green Mountain Dairy Farm in Sheldon, Vermont to purchase equipment to assist with chilling their milk and loading the milk directly to a hauling truck, and Sweet Rowen Farmstead in West Glover, Vermont to replace their malfunctioning bottler, which will lead to more consistent fill levels, longer shelf-life, and improved working conditions.
Additional projects across the region include Balfour Farm (Pittsfield, ME), Berle Farm (Hoosick Falls, NY), Fredrikson Farm (China, ME), Haven Farmstead (New Tripoli, PA), Kendall’s Dairy (Perham, ME), Pleasant Lane Farm Creamery (Latrobe, PA), Santy Dairy (Skowhegan, ME), Upstate Niagara Cooperative (Lancaster, NY), Winter Hill Farm (Freeport, ME), and Yellow Birch Farm (Deer Isle, ME).
The projects that are being supported through this program support increased production safety standards with the goal of accessing new markets. The funds allow eligible entities to access support through technical assistance, audits, food safety plan development, training, testing fees, and certain infrastructure upgrades.
This grant opportunity is expected to be offered again in Fall of 2022. Contact kathryn.donovan@vermont.gov or 802-585-4571 for more information.
Strengthening Regional Dairy Distribution Research Available
In the United States, Vermont included, fluid milk consumption has been on the decline steadily over the course of years. At the same time, overall dairy consumption is on the rise. This represents a significant market opportunity for small to mid-size dairy farms throughout New England. Knowing this, the Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center (NE-DBIC) engaged with a food systems and economic development consultancy, Karen Karp & Partners (KK&P). KK&P worked to identify opportunities to strengthen the region’s value-added dairy distribution network and increase value-added dairy producers’ ability to leverage the market opportunity.
After reviewing previous studies and interviewing cheesemakers, distributors, and other supply chain subject matter experts KK&P developed a report on Strengthening the Regional Value-Added Dairy Distribution System in April of 2022. The report includes several key findings. These findings resulted in recommended interventions, which could inform the work of the NEDBIC, and other stakeholders, as we work to strengthen the regional dairy supply chain. Interested in doing a deep dive into the report or watching KK&P’s presentation of the findings?
Visit: agriculture.vermont.gov/dbic/resources/distribution-capacity-study
NE-DBIC Grantee Spotlight: Oak Knoll’s Marketing and Branding Project
Note: The Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center’s (NE-DBIC) Dairy Marketing and Branding Services Grant Program provides funds to established value-added dairy processors in the Northeast U.S. to access professional marketing and branding services to elevate their businesses.
Many farmers hope to see the value built over their life passed on to the next generation. In some cases, farms are handed to family members after years of sweat equity. In other cases, farms and brands are acquired by an outside party interested in filling the void created by the retirement of a long-time operator. The story of Bridgman Hill represents a new generation of farmers in Vermont continuing the legacy of multiple operations.
Bridgman Hill Farm is a goat dairy located in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom. The farm is run and owned by Ryan Andrus and Annie Rowen in partnership with Jasper Hill Farm. The couple operating the farm have 15 years of experience running goat dairies. Ryan, Annie, and Jasper Hill converted a vacant cow dairy in Hardwick, Vermont to meet the needs of raising, managing, and milking a herd of goats. Any excess milk is sold to Jasper Hill to be made into a variety of specialty cheeses.
The main use of Bridgman Hill milk is bottling under the Oak Knoll label, which can make up 50-80% of their milk production. Oak Knoll is an established brand that originated in Windsor, Vermont which was originally owned by Karen and George Redick. After years of conversation Bridgman Hill acquired the brand and equipment from George and Karen.
After a couple years in operation Bridgman Hill sought to explore how to increase demand for Oak Knoll milk. In 2021, Bridgman Hill Farm received a Marketing & Branding Services Grant from the Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center to support a rebrand of their product line. These funds are being used to engage with a marketing and branding consultancy to help the partners of Oak Knoll more gracefully represent their high-quality milk and position the brand more strategically for future success. Though the project is not yet completed, Annie, Ryan, and Jasper Hill Farm plan to launch a new Oak Knoll look soon!
Last Chance: Dairy Marketing and Branding Services Grant Closes June 23
The Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center is accepting applications through the Dairy Marketing and Branding Services Grant Program until June 23. This funding allows established value-added dairy processors and producer associations to access professional marketing and branding services to elevate value-added dairy businesses. Dairy processors and producer associations in Vermont and the Northeast are eligible to apply. Awards will range from $10,000 to $50,000 with a 25% cash or in-kind match requirement.
Learn more at agriculture.vermont.gov/dbic/activities/dairy-marketing-branding-services-grant or contact Brockton Corbett at brockton.corbett@vermont.gov or (802) 498-5111.