Department Announces Eight Dairy Grant Recipients
(JEFFERSON CITY, Mo.)—The Missouri Department of Agriculture (MDA) has announced the award of eight Dairy Early Planning Grants. The grants were established to assist producers in identifying new business opportunities, eliminating barriers to production efficiency and increasing profitability.
“Missouri’s dairy farms are a vital part of our state’s infrastructure,” says Peter Hofherr, director of MDA. “Offering tools to keep our rural economy growing and our dairy farmers competitive is not only important to MDA and these eight farmers, but also makes a difference in the livelihood of communities across our state.”
In partnership with the Missouri Dairy Growth Council, existing and/or new Missouri dairies received funds ranging from $2250 to $3000. These grants were made available to the following operations to assist in the creation of business plans to explore expansion and start-up opportunities:
- Echo-L, Fulton
- Premier Dairy Associates, Fulton
- Thunder Ridge Dairy, Kenneth Calvin, Mt. Vernon
- Char-Rit Acres -- Karl J. Wilke, Mt. Vernon
- Jeff E. Browning Farm, Bowling Green
- Paul and Cindy Heins, Higginsville
- Scheer Dairy Farms, LLC, New Haven
- Martin Prairie Farms, Inc., Humanville
Applications are now being accepted for a second round of Early Planning Grants. Existing dairy farmers, or individuals interested in starting an operation, are encouraged to apply. Recipients may be qualified to receive 75 percent of total costs for eligible projects, or a maximum of $3,000. Eligible projects are limited to business planning activities. All applications must be received by Jan. 14, 2005.