Mountain Grove Dairy Farm Awarded Missouri Value-Added Grant

August 6, 2013

The Missouri Department of Agriculture announced that Ozark Mountain Creamery, LLC, of Mountain Grove has been awarded $55,506 in grant funding to assist them in growing their dairy processing operations. The funding comes from the Missouri Value-Added Grant Program, which provides grants for projects that advance the development of Missouri agricultural products while aiding the economy of a rural community.

“These grants do more than just help expand businesses, they provide Missouri producers with the tools to add value to their agricultural products and the rural communities which support them,” said Director of Agriculture Dr. Jon Hagler. “Missouri’s small agri-business owners have been invaluable in growing Missouri’s agriculture economy and ensuring the continued success of Missouri agriculture.”

The Missouri Agricultural and Small Business Development Authority (MASBDA) awarded the grant to partially fund legal services and market planning as Ozark Mountain Creamery continues to expand the number of dairy products offered from their on-farm processing plant.

Ozark Mountain Creamery, owned by the Fry family, began bottling their own milk in glass bottles in 2010 and currently delivers to more than 80 retail outlets within a 150 mile radius of Mountain Grove. The Frys hope to use the plans developed as a result of this grant to structure their business to best meet the growing demand for locally produced dairy products.

This is one of 12 value-added grants awarded by MASBDA, for 2013. This year’s grants ranged from $17,000 to $198,000, for a total of $808,838 awarded, all with the goal of fostering new enterprises that will aid rural economic development. Applications for the 2013 grants were due to MASBDA in December 2012.

The grants are funded from the sale of tax credits and can be used for business planning purposes, such as feasibility studies and marketing plans. The maximum individual grant is $200,000, with the applicant required to provide a 10 percent cash match toward the eligible expenses. Recipients must also provide quarterly reports to MASBDA throughout their grant period.

For more information on the Missouri Value-Added Grant Program and other MASBDA programs call (573) 751-2129, email [email protected] or visit the Department of Agriculture’s website, mda.mo.gov.

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