June 19, 2009
Director of Agriculture Visits Shatto Dairy in Osborn
(JEFFERSON CITY, MO) - Today Director of Agriculture Dr. Jon Hagler visited Shatto Dairy in Osborn to recognize the dairy as a recipient of Missouri Agricultural and Small Business Development Authority's (MASBDA) Value-Added Grants. The grants provide funding for projects that add value to Missouri agriculture operations and aid economic growth in rural communities. Shatto Dairy was awarded $88,204 to conduct a marketing study, marketing plan and operational consultation for cheese curds, cottage cheese and artisan cheeses.
"These grants can allow producers like Shatto dairy to explore innovative ideas, add value to their operations and provide high quality products for consumers at the same time," said Dr. Hagler, director of the Department of Agriculture. "Shatto Dairy is a poster child of what can happen when you think outside the barn."
This year, MASBDA awarded 19 value-added grants to groups to assist them in converting their agricultural commodities and by-products into more valuable end products. Missouri's Value-Added Grant program is one of only a handful of similar programs in the U.S. focusing on small agricultural producers.
Shatto Milk Company is a small, family owned and operated, dairy farm located just north of the Kansas City metropolitan area. The Shatto family has been farming there for more than 100 years and began a dairy farm more than 60 years ago. In June 2003 the Shatto family began processing their own milk on the farm. They made the decision to bottle their own milk for the purpose of providing their customers with the freshest and best tasting dairy products possible.
For more information about MASBDA grants, visit mda.mo.gov or call (573) 751-2129.