The Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA) today (March 26) awarded $ 200,000 in Pennsylvania Dairy Investment Program grants to help dairy farmers, according to Senator Elder Vogel, Chairman of the Senate Agriculture & Rural Affairs Committee.
This year marked the first time grants were awarded under the new Dairy Investment Program, which Senate Republican leadership developed as part of last year’s budget process.
“We recognized that our dairy farmers are struggling and it was essential for state to step up to help protect this vital part of our economy,” said Senator Vogel, who operates a family farm in Beaver County that was established in the late 1800s. “The Pennsylvania Dairy Investment Program directs money toward efforts that will truly benefit farmers and help promote their products.”
The Mid-Atlantic Dairy Association was awarded a $100,000 grant by the CFA to expand the “Choose PA Dairy” campaign by implementing the Retail Dairy Aisle Reinvention Program at targeted retailers across Pennsylvania to promote local dairy products. The program will use dairy case advertising, sales materials and features of local dairy farmers with products at the stores.
The Pennsylvania Dairymen’s Association was awarded $100,000 for Phase 2 of the “Choose PA dairy, Goodness that Matters” campaign that will target Central Pennsylvania, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. The program will feature expanded advertising and targeted public broadcasting to promote Pennsylvania dairy products including at a variety of key venues and events.
“I am extremely pleased that the CFA is taking this step to help our dairy farmers and promote the fine products they produce,” said Senator Vogel. “These marketing programs truly make a difference.”
Contact: Matt Parido (717) 787-3076 mparido@pasen.gov