Value- added agricultural product market development grants

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Business Cooperative Services awarded a $250,000 Value-Added Producer Grant (CFDA 10.352) to Milky Way Jersey Farm Inc., a for-profit agricultural organization in South Carolina. The grant funding supports the company's development and expansion of value-added dairy products, including the introduction of new butter and cream offerings. Specifically, the grant enabled Milky Way Jersey Farm to purchase specialized equipment such as cream separators, butter churns, packaging supplies, and digital scales to enhance its production capabilities and diversify its product line. Additionally, the grant funds were used to implement energy efficiency improvements and address COVID-19 challenges, including workplace safety measures, facility retrofits, and transportation enhancements. Milky Way Jersey Farm also received a sub-award through the University of Tennessee, which allowed the company to acquire a point-of-sale system and marketing materials to support the launch of its new dairy products. These grant-funded initiatives have positioned the farm to expand its market reach and improve operational efficiency in the competitive dairy industry.