In May, the NE-DBIC team visited grantees across Massachusetts.
From Dairy Processing to Co-Packing, Farm Modernization to Dairy Cohorts, these grantees represent a wide range of NE-DBIC grant programs. Take a virtual tour of the projects and dairy businesses below.
Macca Gene Creamery – Dairy Processing Research & Development Innovation Grant
In 2023, Sidehill Farm received an $88,000 Dairy Processing Research & Development Innovation Grant to pilot stainless steel returnable yogurt cups. When the original owners were ready for retirement in 2025, they sold the business to Jillian Williams, who took over the yogurt making and the grant project – and renamed the company Macca Gene Creamery.
This project included sourcing new cups, customizing equipment, purchasing and installing a new sealing machine, along with receiving Food and Drug Administration approval, customer buy-in, a cost analysis and lifecycle analysis. To say it was an ambitious project is an understatement! And it’s exactly the type of innovative research and development project that this grant was designed to support – “This would not have been possible without the grant,” said Jillian, “the risk would have been too great for a company at our scale, and the engineering and materials inputs too expensive.”
Now, the returnable stainless-steel cups are nearly ready. The final sticking point is improving the foil seal on the cups. “Our main challenge – 95% of our challenges all rolled into one – has been to consistently seal foil to cup,” said Jillian. Despite the transition of ownership and the learning curve of taking on a new business, Jillian has seen the customer demand and is committed to solving the yogurt seals and launching the new packaging into the market.
“We’ve learned that consumer interest in reusable containers is substantial, and that the environmental case for them is very strong,” she said. “Once the various systems are working smoothly, we intend to share all data with other producers, in the hope of doing our part to move food packaging away from single-use plastics.”
In the meantime, interested parties can read about the project on the Macca Jean website.
Meadowsweet Farm – Massachusetts Co-Packing Start-Up Grant
Across the street from Macca Gene is Meadowsweet Farm, an organic dairy that provides milk for Macca Gene’s yogurt. In 2024, Meadowsweet received a $25,285 NE-DBIC Massachusetts Co-Packing Start-Up Grant to launch their own line of cheeses.
Owned and operated by Gus and Kyra Tafel, Meadowsweet purchased a milk transport tank in order to transport milk to their co-packers, plus a commercial refrigerator to store finished cheeses. They also hired a marketing consultant to design a logo and packaging for the new product lines. The first batches of Monterey Jack and cheddar are now for sale in their farm store, with positive responses from customers.
“Without the help of this grant to buy this equipment we would not have been able to transport our milk or put up the initial cost of production to determine if this is a viable business option for us,” reported Kyra. “Being able to have our milk made into cheese helps establish our independence and the financial sustainability of our farm business.”
Barstow’s Longview Farm – 2023 Dairy Farm Innovation & Alternative Management Grant and 2025 On-Farm Milk Storage & Handling Grant
Our next stop was Hadley, where Barstow’s Longview Farm has been “looking forward since 1806.” This seventh-generation farm has been innovating for over 200 years. They’re also two-time NE-DBIC grantees. In 2023, they received a $75,000 Dairy Farm Innovation & Alternative Management Grant. This grant allowed them to purchase and install two Lely Vector feed robots. According to Denise Barstow, they saw immediate improvements in milk volume and quality once the robots were installed. The robots are quiet, smooth, and consistently push feed closer to the cows to ensure uninterrupted access to feed. Overall, the project has enhanced cow care and nutrition, helped reduce feed waste, and reduced labor and fuel costs.
In 2025, Barstow’s received a $32,897 On-Farm Milk Storage & Handling Grant. This project focused on installing a new compact chiller and plate heat exchanger within their existing milk handling system. The result is more efficient cooling and increased milk quality. This in turn prompted the Barstows to implement another project on their own: an automated tank wash system. Together, the upgrades have saved labor and increased efficiency. “We’re always doing everything we can in the barn to improve milk quality. Investment in the milk room equipment is also essential. We’re grateful for this funding opportunity,” said Denise.
Twin Rivers Farm and Berkshire Agricultural Ventures- Dairy Cohort
The next day brought us to the Berkshires, where Bob Kilmer runs Twin Rivers Farm, milking 120 cows with two robotic milkers. Twin Rivers was one of the first Massachusetts farms to implement robotic milkers, and Bob is part of an NE-DBIC funded Dairy Cohort through Berkshire Agricultural Ventures (BAV). The Cohort, which began in 2024 and runs for two years, is led by BAV’s Dan Carr, who is working with a group of six dairy farmers on business planning, financial management, and forage improvement.
For Bob, who farms with his son, he’s found value in the Cohort’s support with succession and retirement planning. Bob also spoke about Berkshire County development that continues to put pressure on land access. To that end, forage improvement and making the most of their current land base is a key focus for Twin Rivers Farm.
While this Dairy Cohort wrapped up at the end of June, many past Cohorts find continued support in the network created by the two-year program. BAV also remains a support for farmers, offering technical assistance across a range of areas.
Cooper’s Hilltop Farm – 2023 Existing Dairy Processor Expansion Grant
Final stop: Cooper’s Hilltop! This producer-processor has been in business for over 100 years, and is run by Richard Cooper and his daughter, Caitlin. As a family-run farm, they pasteurize and bottle their milk and cream, which they sell in an on-farm store. The day we visited, a steady stream of customers flowed in and out to pick up fresh milk, and the farm was preparing to install grant-funded equipment.
For their 2023 Existing Dairy Processor Expansion Grant, Cooper’s Hilltop is replacing a 200-gallon vat pasteurizer with new 400-gallon and 100-gallon pasteurizers, replacing their homogenizer with a higher capacity model, and installing an ice cream processing machine. This will set up the dairy to produce their own ice cream, and the expanded processing capacity will allow them to increase production efficiencies and reduce labor to continue meeting growing customer demand.
Across Massachusetts, dairy farmers and processors are providing milk, cheese, yogurt, ice cream, and more – all while continuously innovating their businesses for long-term viability.
Throughout our trip, each dairy business highlighted the importance of their communities – connections to local markets and customers who support them are key to sustainable food systems. If you’re visiting the state, take a trip on the official Massachusetts Ice Cream Trail and get a taste for yourself!
