2022 March Board Book

effectively attract new workforce to the dairy processing sector, with a focus on the Pacific Coast region.

VI. Academic Research Capacity

Dairy Business Innovation Initiative – Pacific Coast Coalition CDIC is a primary partner of the Dairy Business Innovation Initiative, the $1.8 million grant awarded late 2021. Updates and additional dairy processing equipment for applied and primary research at Fresno State ▪ Hiring of graduate and post-graduate students ▪ Internships (see above) ▪ Short-courses and Conferences (see above) ▪ Technical support Grants to industry ($300,000 yearly) Criteria for these grants, in compliance with USDA regulations and guidelines, are being developed, along with the Pacific Coast Coalition website where producers and processors will have access to entry Elements of the Initiative include: ▪

forms and further information. The CDIC Steering Committee will play a leading role as advisor in recommendations for selection of entries, so grants effectively support the CDIC’s Strategic plan. CDIC staff meets regularly with researchers, faculty and administrators at Fresno State, Cal Poly and UC Davis. It actively networks to identify new funding sources from state and federal sources, as well as opportunities for research collaboration with process suppliers and other industry suppliers.