By Andi Anderson
Kuehnert Dairy in Indiana has been awarded a significant boost in the form of a $100,000 grant from the Dairy Business Innovation Alliance (DBIA). This grant will fuel the establishment of a cutting-edge cheese curd manufacturing facility on their farm.
A collaboration between the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association (WCMA) and the Center for Dairy Research (CDR), the DBIA allocated a total of nearly $4 million across 41 grants to dairy processing businesses and farmstead operations in the Midwest.
The grant awarded to Kuehnert Dairy will specifically aid in the creation of a cheese curd production center. Andrew Kuehnert, the farm's owner, expressed gratitude, stating, "This funding is instrumental in our vision to produce farm-fresh cheese curds, transforming our morning milk into a value-added product by the afternoon."
With a heritage spanning over 125 years, Kuehnert Dairy, a family-owned and operated farm, is set to inaugurate an on-farm retail site in early 2024.
Andrew Kuehnert noted that the decision to venture into cheese curd production was in response to a market void in Indiana for such products.
The anticipated product line will be available at the on-site retail store, local Fort Wayne grocers, and through direct online sales to consumers.
John Lucey, Director of the Center for Research, emphasized the DBIA's commitment to fostering growth and diversification in small dairy businesses, stating, "Our aim is to support thriving farmsteads and innovative dairy manufacturers in our region."
The DBIA, funded by a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) award, focuses on advancing dairy business innovation to fortify the industry's resilience. It backs research projects aimed at transforming dairy coproduct streams into commercially viable, value-added products.
The DBIA region encompasses Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-ahavelaar
Categories: Indiana, Livestock, Dairy Cattle