This is a true story of a small farm with big ambitions. The Miller Family Dairy began in 2020 as a raw milk operation with just eight cows. With this new capital infusion, the family plans to expand their herd to roughly 100 cows, transitioning from raw milk to pasteurization and other value-added products. This expansion is designed not only to boost their own farm’s output but also to support other producers in the area, a vital step given that the Dairy Alliance reports only 16 dairy farms remain in Alabama.

The project is a prime example of how targeted funding can strengthen a local food supply chain. The new facility will increase the farm’s production capacity and create new job opportunities in the region by sourcing milk from other local dairies. This strategy addresses a key problem in dairy economics: the lack of local processing infrastructure, which often forces small farms to exit the business. By adding a new processing hub, the grant directly helps to connect producers to markets, fostering a more resilient and self-sufficient food system.

The RFSI Program, a USDA initiative, is a crucial component of this project. Alabama Agriculture and Industries Commissioner Rick Pate praised the program’s role in providing local producers with the resources they need to thrive. The program’s focus on bolstering regional food supply chains through investments in processing, storage, and distribution is a strategic move to ensure that locally produced goods, like the milk, butter, and cheese from Miller Family Dairy, can reach consumers with greater efficiency.