California Ag Network

Tag: Dairy Business Innovation Initiative

  • PCC-DBII Awards Grants to Support Product Innovation

    Dairy processors throughout the Pacific Coast are among the 128 total grant winners to date receiving investments aimed at strengthening the dairy processing industry’s resilience. The Pacific Coast Coalition—Dairy Business Innovation Initiative (PCC-DBII), hosted by California State University, Fresno, has awarded more than $13,000,000 in grant funding to dairy processors including local farmsteads in California, Oregon and Washington, along with Arizona, New Mexico and  Nevada..

    “These grants help strengthen regional dairy processors throughout the West Coast region as well as increase the capacity for new product development and business economic sustainability,” said PCC-DBII Project Director Carmen Licon Cano, PhD. “Each grant contributes to equipment efficiencies and leverages expertise that translates into new products, new markets, new/retained jobs, and increased financial well-being of the businesses.”

    “PCC dairy business grants truly make a difference for families, communities and the region as they recognize entrepreneurship, product creativity and increase the availability of innovative cheese, butter, yogurt, kefir, frozen dessert products, cosmetics and nutritional supplements regionally and nationally,” said Dr. Susan Pheasant, Director of the Institute for Food and Agriculture and “cowkeeper” for the PCC-DBII. “We celebrate these grant winners as they move forward in building economic sustainability and regional growth through the production and sale of high-quality dairy foods and products.”

    California dairy processors awarded grants include:

    • 2GoodFarm
    • Bagnoli Original Organic
    • Carmel Valley Creamery
    • Claravale Farm Company
    • Joseph Gallo Cheese Company
    • Mavens Creamery
    • Stuyt Dairy Farmstead Cheese Company

    — Story contributed by the Pacific Coast Coalition  — Dairy Business Innovation Initiative

  • New Dairy Funding Opportunities For Innovation Open Through Oct. 31

    Dairy farmers, producers, and more: The Pacific Coast Coalition-Dairy Business Innovation Initiative (PCC-DBII) is now accepting grant applications through October 31, 2025.  As outlined by federal guidelines: priority areas are for projects that:

    – Diversify dairy product markets to reduce risk and develop higher value uses for dairy products,

    – Promote business development that diversifies farmer income through processing and marketing innovation, and

    – Encourage the use of regional milk production.

    The PCC-DBII will consider all applications, with higher priority given to proposals that address and uplift regional milk usage, e.g. milk sheds. Total available dollars will be either $155,550 or $500,550, depending on the current government shutdown.

    Click here for the application form:  https://forms.gle/Q7kNftvgVGPPzvay8.

    Timing (subject to the duration and results of the US Government Shutdown) includes a virtual “office hour” for prospective applicants:

    ·      October 31, 2025 – Applications due

    ·      November 1-30, 2025 – Review of applications; contractual paperwork

    ·      December 1, 2025 – proposed start date subject to contractual paperwork being completed

    ·      FRIDAY July 31, 2026 – ALL grant award spending must be completed

    For more information: See previous grant winners from funding rounds 1 – 5. Additional funding opportunities are also available through the PCC-DBII Internship and Technical Assistance programs. Please contact PCC-DBII with any questions or call Nancy Van Leuven, (206) 919-8694.