Two Indiana dairies receive funding

MADISON, Wis. — Two Indiana dairies, Risin’ Creek Creamery and JB’s Barnyard, received funding from the Dairy Business Innovation Alliance for value-added facilities on their farms.

JB’s Barnyard

JB’s Barnyard, located near Evansville, was awarded $100,000 for ice cream machinery. They are expanding their wholesale ice cream business by expanding their delivery capabilities.

The project aims to increase production and sales, creating new jobs and expanding market reach.

“JB’s Barnyard is a dream of ours, and by receiving this funding from the Dairy Business Innovation Alliance we will be able to further expand our offerings to wholesale locations beyond our local region,” said Briley Simpkins of JB’s Barnyard.

“We are excited to continue growing our business while providing our community with high quality, delicious ice cream.”

Risin’ Creek Creamery

Risin’ Creek Creamery, located in Martinsville, was awarded $49,206 for a fluid milk bottle filler to grow its goat milk processing and expand into drinkable yogurts. The project aims to increase efficiency and product offerings.

“We are so honored to be the recipient of this very sought-after grant from DBIA,” said Tim Vanzant of Risin’ Creek Creamery. “Our goat business started as a 4-H project in 1984, but now has grown to encompass three generations of our family.

“We produce award-winning fresh goat cheeses, and we are excited to embark on a fluid goat milk and yogurt journey thanks to this grant funding.”

The DBIA is supported by funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and was created in the 2018 federal farm bill.

Since then, the DBIA has awarded over $20 million across more than 250 grants to Midwestern dairy farms and businesses. The program also offers technical assistance to dairy farmers and processors in participating states.