In 2022, the Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center (NE-DBIC) worked with farmers, processors, and technical service providers across 11 states, funding over 100 projects and investing over $6.5 million in regional dairy.
With funding through the NE-DBIC Food Safety & Certification Grant, Berle Farm purchased a lab table required for antibiotic testing of milk, pasteurizer and freezer thermometers necessary for IMS documentation, new IMS lids, and a commercial dishwasher for sanitizing reusable glass yogurt jars.
As a participant in the Dairy Farm Transition to Grazing cohort, Smith received funds through the contract to attend the Ranching for Profit program in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma from April 24th – May 1st, 2022. There, he gained expertise in grazing principles and business strategies, learned about the true cost of storing feed vs. the low overhead and high returns of grazing, and reevaluated his equipment to sell what no longer serves his operation.
The demand for their cheese led them to apply for a Dairy Food Safety & Certification Grant with the Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center (NE-DBIC), which allowed the Fredriksons to purchase a new closed batch pasteurizer that will accommodate increased milk production. Along with the new equipment, the grant also paid for Dianna to become a certified Preventive Controls Qualified Individual (PCQI) through the Food Safety Preventative Controls Alliance.
