Webinar for Dairy Processors on November 19 to Share Processor Grants Available and Tips for Applications

The Center for Dairy Excellence will host another webinar for dairy processors on Tuesday, November 19 from 1-2 p.m., titled “Deep Dive on Processor Grants Available Through the Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center.” This is the next webinar in the bi-monthly processor webinar series to help spur discussion, collaboration and innovation across the dairy supply chain. Ben Eldredge, Grants Coordinator at the Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center (NE-DBIC), will give a deep dive of the grants they have available to dairy processors in the Northeast. Kara Riccioni, Director of Agricultural Business Development for the PA Small Business Development Centers (SBDC), will also share some of the resources they offer for grant review.

“There are a lot of grant opportunities available for dairy processors in the Northeast, but sifting through them and knowing what to include in your application can be time-consuming,” said LeeAnn McLaughlin, Dairy Policy and Industry Relations Manager at the Center for Dairy Excellence. “Our speakers will not only give a clear breakdown of the current processor grants available through NE-DBIC and the projects that could be funded, but they will share valuable application tips that could help simplify the grant process for you.”

During the webinar, Eldredge and Riccioni will share:

• An introduction to NE-DBIC
• Current and upcoming NE-DBIC grant opportunities for processors
• What the grant can pay for and eligible projects
• Tips for completing an application
• An overview of some of the resources SBDC offers for grant review – from finding a program to reviewing your application and follow-up requirements

To sign up for the free webinar on November 19, visit www.centerfordairyexcellence.org/processor-webinar or call the Center at 717-346-0849.

Ben Eldredge is a Grants Coordinator for the Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center, which is housed in the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets. He handles grant programs including Dairy Food Safety & Certification, Dairy Farm Improvement & Modernization, Dairy Processor Modernization, and Dairy Processor Expansion. Before joining the NE-DBIC, Ben worked as a cheesemaker and food safety manager at a farmstead creamery in Vermont, giving him experience with many aspects of on-farm and value-added dairy processing. 

Kara Riccioni is an experienced professional in agricultural business and nutrition, currently serving as an Adjunct Instructor at Delaware Valley University and as the Director of Agricultural Business Development at Pennsylvania Small Business Development Centers. With a solid background in livestock nutrition and agribusiness education, Kara has previously held roles including Forage and Grain Nutrition Specialist at Seedway, LLC, and various positions at the University of Kentucky and Penn State University. Education includes a Doctor of Education in Agricultural Education from Texas Tech University, an MBA in Agricultural Business and Management from Delaware Valley University, and an MS in Animal Nutrition from the University of Kentucky.