CHIMACUM VALLEY DAIRY AWARDED GRANT BY PCC-DBII TO STABILIZE AND EXPAND DAIRY INDUSTRY IN WASHINGTON
Catalytic Funding for New or Used Equipment Purchases to Help Local Dairy Processor

Evolve Operations and Adopt More Sustainable Practices 

CHIMACUM, WA, December 4, 2023 — Dairy processors along the Pacific Coast are receiving a catalytic investment that will strengthen the industry’s resilience, and Chimacum Valley Dairy was the sole grant winner in Washington. The Pacific Coast Coalition – Dairy Business Innovation Initiative (PCC-DBII), hosted by California State University, Fresno, has awarded $521,764 in grant funding to 12 dairy companies in California, Oregon and Washington. Each awardee is receiving up to $50,000, dependent on their submitted budget, for equipment-related investments. 

“Washington state is known for producing a diverse portfolio of high-quality, safe agricultural products. Our dairies are an integral part of this success. I’m pleased Chimacum Valley Dairy is a Pacific Coast Coalition – Dairy Business Innovation Initiative grant recipient. The grant will create opportunities for them to not only continue producing top-tier products but also modernize their equipment to make their operation more efficient,” said Derek Sandison, Director of the Washington State Department of Agriculture

“This is such an honor, and we are humbled to receive this grant,” said Amy Rose Dubin, co-owner of Chimacum Valley Dairy with her husband, Bruce Gleeman. “Bruce and I handle every part of our dairy’s process – we’re the owners, operators, founders and team behind the brand. This funding will help us to synthesize our operations.”

In a county where the dairy industry was once a vital part of the economy, Chimacum Valley Dairy is proud of their work as a small dairy. About to celebrate 10 years in business in 2024, their farmstead and artisan cheesemaking business is unique in an economy that favors large-scale industry. 

Chimacum Valley Dairy plans to invest in a more efficient and effective milk transfer system with this grant. Sourcing milk from their own herd most of the year, they also purchase milk from other Washington state dairies to supplement their supply. They have been transporting this milk in buckets, with the lifting of 2400 pounds of milk required for each batch of cheese. By purchasing a milk cooling transport tank, they will be able to improve productivity and grow their team. 

“Not only will these grants help businesses optimize their processes and innovate their products, but the West Coast region is building a stronger dairy presence.” said PCC-DBII Project Director Carmen Licon Cano, Ph.D., “Each grant will result in time-saving equipment that develops new offerings, creates jobs and increases profitability.”

“By investing in new and existing products, the PCC-DBII awarded grants facilitate entrepreneurship and increase the availability of innovative cheese, butter, yogurt and ice cream products both regionally and nationally,” said Dr. Susan Pheasant, Director of the Institute for Food and Agriculture and “cowkeeper” for the PCC-DBII. “These grant winners are driving economic sustainability and growth through their high-quality dairy foods.”

“The Dairy Business Innovation Initiatives have made significant impacts to the dairy industry and the agricultural economy as a whole,” said USDA Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Jenny Lester Moffitt. “This funding will allow the Pacific Coast Coalition – Dairy Business Innovation Initiative to continue to develop critical relationships with California, Oregon and Washington dairy producers and processors to support their on-the-ground needs.”

Recently receiving an additional $1.8 million to support the resilience and viability of the Pacific Coast’s dairy industry, the Pacific Coast Coalition – Dairy Business Innovation Initiative is funded through the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service and hosted by California State University, Fresno. The initiative is in collaboration with Cal Poly Humboldt, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Chapman University, Chico State, Oregon State University, Oregon Dairy and Nutrition Council, UC Davis, Washington State University, and the California Dairy Innovation Center. This is the third round of grant funding through the PCC-DBII. Via three rounds of funding, PCC-DBII has made nearly $5 million in grants from the USDA AMS available to regional dairy businesses for innovation-related investments, helping dairy processors evolve their operations and adopt more sustainable practices. 

A larger funding opportunity, the fourth round of grant award by the PCC-DBII, will open on January 2, 2024, with at least $4.1M available for more states: Arizona; California; Nevada; New Mexico; Oregon; and, Washington. This fourth round of funding will include pandemic recovery (such as price declines and additional marketing costs due to COVID-19), as the majority of those monies are derived from the federal CARES Act. Applications will be accepted January 2, 2024 – February 29, 2024. For more information: https://www.dairypcc.net/