Dairy receives $1.9M for new processing facility

RUSSELLVILLE — A family dairy on the Franklin–Colbert County line is preparing for major growth after receiving a $1.9 million boost from the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI).

State Ag Commissioner RickPateandseveralADAI staff presented the check recently to Miller Family Dairy. The funds came through the department’s Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure (RFSI) program.

The initiative is designed to strengthen the middle of the food supply chain. By investing in projects that connect producers to markets, the program expands opportunities for small farms and improves reliability for consumers.

Pate said Miller Family Dairy was a natural fit because it represents the small, local operations the program is designed to help.

“By their very nature, smaller dairies are struggling, and this gives them another place to sell their products,” he said. “The program is targeting local growers and producers and helping them add value to what they raise.”

For Miller Family Dairy, the award means a new facility that will allow pasteurization. It also opens the door to producing value-added products such as cheese and butter.

“This grant opportunity completely changed everything for us,” said farm owner Jennilee Miller.

Check Presentation with Commissioner of Alabama Agriculture & Industries Rick Pate at Miller Family Dairy

She said the project will reshape both her farm’s future and its role in the wider dairy community.

“We saw an opportunity to not only expand into value-added dairy but also to support other dairy farmers in the area,” she added.

She noted the investment comes at a critical time for Alabama’s dairy industry.

“According to the Dairy Alliance, only 16 dairy farms remain in Alabama. With our new facility, we hope to be able to change this,” Miller said.

Miller Family Dairy opened in 2020 as a raw milk operation. The farm began with just eight cows and has plans to grow its herd to around 100.

Although located just inside Colbert County, the dairy’s mailing address is Russellville, and the Millers say they serve Franklin County communities as part of their customer base.

Statewide, only about five farms are receiving RFSI support in this round, Pate said. Alabama received $5.1 million in federal funding from USDA to distribute through the program.

“This one project represents a large portion of the funds,” Pate said, “but it also comes with a multiplier because of the investment the family is making themselves.”

The new facility is expected to give the farm space and equipment to handle increased production. It will also improve food safety through pasteurization.

Pate said the Millers expect to be operating by late fall, though much of the work now involves investing in equipment.

Once complete, customers will find products in local grocery stores as well as through direct sales at the farm.

Pate noted that only three or four other dairies in Alabama are processing their own milk and selling branded products.

One of those, Blue Ribbon Dairy in Elmore County, has already created a strong market for itself.

ADAI officials said the expansion is also designed to create new jobs for the community.

As the Millers increase production, they plan to source from additional dairies. That step could give other farmers in the region new outlets for their milk.

The project also includes space for educational opportunities. Organizers said the goal is to help promote Alabama’s dairy industry.

Pate added that the initiative ties into Sweet Grown Alabama, the state’s marketing program for local farm products.

“This just enables us to continue to grow that market for Alabamagrown food,” he said.

He said the program is aimed at keeping farms strong while connecting them directly with consumers.

“Programs like RFSI help ensure our farmers have the resources they need to grow and thrive, while connecting more Alabamians with fresh, locally produced products like milk, butter and cheese.”

The Millers plan to open their new facility later this year. Construction updates are being shared on Facebook and Instagram at @ millerfamilydairyfarm.