17 July 2025

đź“° In This Issue:

  • Headlines
  • Southern Dairy Business Innovation Initiative Grant
  • Grant Writing Help for GA Milk Members
  • Adopt-A-Cow Program is Open for the Upcoming School Year
  • GMP Classifieds
  • Agriculture Chairmen's Ag Issues Summit
  • USDA Farm Service Agency Taking Nominations for 2025 County Committee Elections
  • Upcoming Events Calendar
  • GMP Associate Membership


Headlines

Southern Dairy Business Innovation Initiative Grants

Two dairy business grants will soon be available through the Southeast Dairy Business Innovation Initiative (SDBII) and the Center for Dairy Advancement and Sustainability (CDAS). The Specialty Processing Equipment Grant provides reimbursement funds to undertake projects that result in increased efficiency, capacity, or new processing capabilities in an existing or proposed dairy processing facility. The Dairy Business Planning Grant provides reimbursement funds to permitted dairy businesses (farms and processors) that are seeking the help of experts to plan for the future.

 

Applications will open and updated materials will be available for both grants on Wednesday, July 23rd. The application period will close at 5pm/ET on Wednesday, September 24th. An information session on these two grants will be held on Thursday, July 24th from 2pm - 3pm/ET. Register here. The meeting link and invitation will be sent out to registered participants 24hrs before the meeting. 

Grant Writing Help for GA Milk Members

If you are a Georgia Milk Producers member and you are interested in either of these grants, you can speak to a team of grant writing professionals that can help you plan and write your application. GMP is partnering with the folks at Lasso to help our dairy farmers find and secure more grant funds. GMP members can consult with Lasso to find grants and determine if they are a good fit.


Here’s how the process works: 

Georgia Milk Producers will cover the first two steps in the process.

1. Initial consultation: Lasso will learn about your farm and proposed project to understand your operations and needs. 

2. Funding identification: They’ll find grants that fit your project and make sure you meet all eligibility and competitiveness criteria. 

After this point, you can work with Lasso directly - speak to their team on their grant-writing fees.

3. Application creation: From start to finish, Lasso manages the entire application process. They'll manage stakeholders, inputs needed, and narratives to create a high-quality application 

4. Post-award support: If awarded, Lasso makes sure all requirements are met to help you get reimbursed as soon as possible. 


Contact Lasso at contact@joinlasso.com or (312) 833-7726 or contact Bryce at bryce@gamilk.org or 229-221-3906 with any questions.

The Adopt-A-Cow Program is Open for the Upcoming School Year

The Adopt-A-Cow Program, sponsored by the Dairy Alliance, is open for the upcoming school year. Bring agriculture into the classroom by enrolling your class in this FREE program by September 15th. Discover Dairy works with a host farm to send photos and stories about the updates of a calf's life cycle throughout the year. Take advantage of this free opportunity to share agriculture in your classroom, or send this to someone who can. You are eligible if you: 

  • Teach in a traditional classroom setting.
  • Are homeschooling your kids/family members/friends.
  • Run an after-school program.
  • Facilitate a library or 4-H program, or programs alike.
  • Have an agriculture program at your museum or kid’s center.
  • Nursing homes and assisted living centers


Visit the Discover Dairy website to learn more and sign up.

GMP Classifieds

Want to showcase your business to dairy producers and industry professionals across the Southeast and US? Email info@gamilk.org to learn more about how you can advertise in the GMP E-News.



Agriculture Chairmen's Ag Issues Summit

On Thursday, August 21, 2025, Chairman Russ Goodman and Chairman Robert Dickey will host the annual Ag Issues Summit in Perry, Georgia at the Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter in the Miller Murphy Howard Building. The agenda includes important updates and issues related to the agricultural community. The event will take place from 9:30am-1:00pm, with registration beginning at 9am. Coffee and lunch will be provided.


RSVP by Friday, August 8th by submitting this form or contact rachel.whitted@senate.ga.gov.

 USDA Farm Service Agency Taking Nominations for 2025 County Committee Elections


The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) county committees are a critical component of the day-to-day operations of FSA and allow grassroots input and local administration of federal farm programs.

Committees are comprised of locally elected agricultural producers responsible for the fair and equitable administration of FSA farm programs in their counties. Committee members are accountable to the Secretary of Agriculture. If elected, members become part of a local decision-making and farm program delivery process.


A county committee is composed of 3 to 11 elected members from Local Administrative Areas (LAA). Each member serves a three-year term. To be eligible for nomination and hold office as a committee member or alternate, a person must fulfill each of the following requirements:

  1. Be eligible to vote in an FSA county committee election*.
  2. Reside in the LAA that is up for election.
  3. Must not have been:
  • Removed or disqualified from:
  • FSA county committee membership or alternate membership, or
  • FSA employment.
  • Removed for cause from any public office or have been convicted of fraud, larceny, embezzlement or any other felony.
  • Dishonorably discharged from any branch of the armed services.

*The following requirements must be met for a person to be eligible to vote in the county committee elections:

  • Be of legal voting age or, if not of legal voting age, supervise and conduct the farming operation of an entire farm.
  • Have an interest in a farm or ranch as either:
  • An individual who meets one or more of the following:
  • Is eligible and capable to vote in one’s own right.
  • Is a partner of a general partnership.
  • Is a member of a joint venture.
  • Is an authorized representative of a legal entity.
  • Participates or cooperates in any FSA program that is provided by law. A cooperating producer is someone who has provided information about their farming or ranching operation(s) but may not have applied or received FSA program benefits.



All nomination forms for the 2025 election must be postmarked or received in the local USDA Service Center by Aug. 1, 2025. For more information on FSA county committee elections, including fact sheets, nomination forms and FAQs, visit fsa.usda.gov/elections.

Calendar of Events

July 31 - August 1 - Southeast Value-Added Dairy Conference

The Southeast Value-Added Dairy Conference will be held July 31 & August 1 at the University of Tennessee's Agricultural and Natural Resources Building in Knoxville, TN. Each year, the Southeast Value-Added Dairy Conference provides educational and networking opportunities for dairy business owners, researchers, Extension professionals, and industry partners.


To learn more about the conference, view the conference agenda, and register CLICK HERE.


August 14 - Georgia Farm Bureau Commodity Conference

The Classic Center, Athens, GA


August 21 - Agriculture Chairmen's Ag Issues Summit

The Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter, Perry, GA

Register HERE.


September 16 & 17 - Georgia Ag Labor Relations Forum

UGA Tifton Conference Center

Registration: GeorgiaAgLaborForum.com


Thank You, Associate Members


The mission of Georgia Milk Producers is to support, sustain, and grow the Georgia dairy industry. In addition to our partners in industry who support the Georgia Dairy Conference each January, we are also offering an opportunity for allied industry to partner with GMP year-round, network with producers throughout the year, and promote their companies outside of the conference. Thank you to our inaugural Associate Members, Dairy Farmers of America, FERA Animal Health, and BMO Bank.

Until Next Time,


GMP

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