MONTGOMERY, Ala. - Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI) Commissioner Rick Pate and several ADAI staff presented a $1.9 million check to Miller Family Dairy through ADAI's Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure (RFSI) Program. Through the RFSI funds, the new Miller Family Dairy facility will be able to offer local communities fresh and nutritious milk, cheese and butter.
Miller Family Dairy, a first-generation farm in Colbert County, opened in 2020 as a raw milk operation. Their farm currently owns eight dairy cows, with plans to expand to around 100. The RFSI funds have made pasteurization and value-added dairy products such as butter and cheese a feasible option.
“This grant opportunity completely changed everything for us! We saw an opportunity to not only expand into value-added dairy but also to support other dairy farmers in the area,” said Miller Family Dairy owner Jennilee Miller. “According to the Dairy Alliance, only 16 dairy farms remain in Alabama. With our new facility, we hope to be able to change this.”
The grant also supports future growth by providing the facility with the space and resources needed to handle increased production. As they source products from additional dairies, this expansion will create new employment opportunities for surrounding communities. The project has been designed to strengthen the local community, support Alabama farmers and provide educational opportunities to promote Alabama’s dairy industry.
“We are incredibly proud of the RFSI Program and the positive impact it’s having on Alabama’s farmers like Miller Family Dairy,” said Alabama Agriculture and Industries Commissioner Pate. “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 RFSI program is a USDA initiative designed to strengthen local and regional food supply chains by investing in infrastructure that connects producers to markets. The program provides states with funding to support projects that expand processing capacity, improve storage and distribution, and create more direct market opportunities for farmers. By focusing on these critical "middle of the supply chain" needs, RFSI helps build stronger, more reliable food systems that benefit both agricultural producers and consumers.
The new facility is scheduled to open later this year. The construction process can be followed on Facebook or Instagram @millerfamilydairyfarm. Once open, local communities can purchase fresh, locally produced milk, butter and cheese in area grocery stores and directly from the farm.
For more information about the RFSI program visit, agi.alabama.gov/rfsip/ or email rfsip@agi.alabama.gov