What a time to be reporting on all things food, agriculture and sustainability! I’m honored to be doing it.

And I’m thrilled to share a story that’s been a source of optimism for readers. Amid trade wars and mass uncertainty, billionaire Chobani founder Hamdi Ulukaya is doubling down.

He’s investing in infrastructure in a major way—with a $1.2 billion commitment for construction on two dairy plants. The vast majority of the money is going towards building a brand new Chobani plant in upstate New York. For many, the news was a beacon of hope, particularly because the Northeastern dairy industry has been struggling for years as big food companies turn to bigger operations on the West Coast and elsewhere.

As Ulukaya told me, he feels the weight of responsibility: “We could make all the advances in life, but if we can’t feed our children good food, that’s not a success.”