The southeast dairy business innovation initiative - phase 3 of the diversifying income and adding value by manufacturing dairy products will provide additional educational opportunities for…

The Department of Agriculture Agricultural Marketing Service awarded the University of Tennessee a $6,133,333.33 project grant under the Dairy Business Innovation Initiatives (CFDA 10.176) federal grant program. The grant period is from October 31, 2021 to October 30, 2024.

The University of Tennessee will provide educational services, technical assistance, and sub-awards to support value-added dairy producers in developing, producing, marketing and distributing dairy products. Key activities include hosting educational conferences and workshops, deploying benchmarking tools to dairy producers, and conducting consumer surveys. Ten sub-awards totaling $1,250,000 were also provided to dairy businesses in Tennessee, Kentucky and North Carolina to support goals such as modernizing equipment, expanding production capacity, and developing new product lines and marketing strategies. Sub-awardees include creameries, cheesemakers, and dairy farms undertaking projects ranging from robotic milker installations to wholesale ice cream processing upgrades.

The southeast dairy business innovation initiative - phase 3 of the diversifying income and adding value by manufacturing dairy products will provide additional educational opportunities for value-added dairy producers while continuing to support initiatives from phase 2 such as expanding the dairy gauge and on-farm assessments. Individuals wanting to begin or continue a value-added dairy business in the southeast united states are the intended audience. This program will include: identifying and providing targeted support to underrepresented population dairy business owners in the southeast. Providing targeted support to small ruminant (sheep and goat) dairy business owners in the southeast. Conducting surveys on consumer preferences surrounding cosmetic and shelf stable products. Conducting a value-added dairy conference in 2024.recruiting a cohort of peers for milk (mastering individual leadership knowledge) workshops including strength finders, KAI, managing different personalities, transition planning, and managing stress and mental health. Developing and deploying a value-added dairy business gauge and identifying vital key performance indicators. Developing peer groups in kentucky and tennessee for dairy businesses focused on financial management. Deploying eye tracking technology on value-added dairy businesses to determine consumer purchasing habits. Providing scholarships for in-depth reviews with the kentucky center for agriculture and rural development. Conducting workshops centered around sensory properties and business management. Expanding the marketready program to include social media and digital marketing strategies providing a competitive subaward program for southeast value-added dairy businesses. Creating extension fact sheets, publications, and video resources to aid value-added dairy producers in their decision- making.