Investing in local producers, USDA Rural Development State Director Terry Brunner announced that the organization will grant Old Windmill Dairy, also known as Two Guys Making Artisanal Cheese, $250,000 in funds. The funding, granted through Value-Added Producer Grant (VAPG) program, will help the Estancia-based cheese farm expand business opportunities.
"New Mexico has some of the most creative and innovative small businesses developing unique, high-quality products,” Brunner said, according to local news source KRWG. “Two Guys Making Artisanal Cheese, aka The Old Windmill Dairy, is an award-winning producer of goat cheeses, and we are pleased to help them expand their operation in hopes they can reach new markets and build their business further.”
The artisanal cheese company intends to use the funds to pay for costs associated with promotion, rebranding, diversification of various products, and outreach to local retailers, restaurants, wineries, breweries, and direct-to-consumer outlets for market expansion.
VAPG grants can be used by recipients to either create new product lines from raw agricultural materials or find additional uses for already-developed product lines. Priority is given to military veterans, socially-disadvantaged, and beginning farmers and ranchers; operators of small and medium-sized family farms and ranches; farmer and rancher cooperatives; and applicants that propose mid-tier value chain projects.
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