U-DAIRE: Undergraduate Development and Internship Research Experience
Details
- Paid Summer Internship
- 9 Weeks: June 1 -August 3
- 2 weeks of leadership training
- 7 weeks of industry partner internship
- Stipend: $5,400
- 9 Weeks: June 1 -August 3
- Leadership Development
- Leadership Training Sessions on campus at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville
- Dairy Industry Experience
- Work experience at a Value-Added Dairy Enterprise or Research Lab in Tennessee, North Carolina, or Kentucky
- Learn and assist with daily management at the dairy farm and processing facility including milking management, processing, packaging, and marketing products direct to consumers
- Work experience at a Value-Added Dairy Enterprise or Research Lab in Tennessee, North Carolina, or Kentucky
Requirements
- Must love dairy!
- Eager to learn
- Motivated to work
- No prior experience required
- Be actively enrolled in a 2 or 4 year institution of higher education within the Southeast
- Must be a U.S. citizen or on a visa that allows participation in summer internships
Apply for the 2026 U-DAIRE program HERE by April 20, 2026!
There are many grant opportunities specific to value-added producers and producers looking to begin a value-added enterprise. Others help farmers in general.
National
- Value-Added Producer Grant (find a series of informational videos here)
- Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) (find an informational video here)
- Food Supply Chain Guaranteed Loan Program
- Sheep Production and Marketing Grant Program
- Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program
Tennessee
- Agricultural Enterprise Fund
- Tennessee Agricultural Enhancement Program (TAEP): Producer Diversification
Kentucky
North Carolina
Creating a High Quality Grant Proposal
Assessing Value-Added Dairy Business Expansion Workshop Series
Session 1: Hal Pepper, Extension Specialist, Center for Profitable Agriculture
Topics: Questions to consider when expanding a value-added dairy business and how to apply for the USDA’s Value-Added Producer Grant.
Watch Here.
Session 2: Matthew Wade, Director of Farm Laboratories, Middle Tennessee State University
Topics: Case study for growing a value-added dairy enterprise at MTSU.
Watch Here.
Session 3: Sarah Cornelisse, Senior Extension Associate, Penn State
Topics: Tools for analyzing feasibility and profitability for value-added dairy businesses.
Watch Here.
Dair-ing To Learn Value-Added Webinar Series
Description
Educational sessions to help direct farm marketers and value-added agriculture entrepreneurs analyze, develop, and grow their enterprises. While the program especially targets value-added dairy producers, all are welcome and encouraged to participate!
Date, Time, and Location
All sessions will be held on the second Tuesday of each month via Zoom at 11:30 AM CDT / 12:30 PM EDT:
January 14, 2025 – “Pitfalls to Avoid when Growing a Value-Added Dairy Business” – Sarah Cornelisse, Penn State University
February 11, 2025 – “Research-Based Marketing Insights for the Dairy Industry” – Dr. Alicia Rihn, UT Department of Agriculture and Resource Economics
March 11, 2025 – “Principles of Layout & Design for Social Media Content Creation” – Alaina Boyd, UT Center for Profitable Agriculture
April 8, 2025 – “Principles of Visual Branding for Consistent Digital Marketing” – Alaina Boyd, UT Center for Profitable Agriculture
May 13, 2025 – “Transition Planning” – Les Humpall, UT Center of Farm Management
June 10, 2025 – “E-Commerce Essentials” – Alaina Boyd, UT Center for Profitable Agriculture
July 8, 2025 – “MarketReady Core Training” – Dr. Tim Woods, University of Kentucky
August 12, 2025 – “Estate Planning” – Christina Bartee, Batson Nolan PLC
September 9, 2025 – “NAFMDA Lessons Learned” – 2025 NAFDMA Professional Development Scholarship Recipients
October 14, 2025 – Session Title TBA – Paul Goeringer, University of Maryland
November 11, 2025 – “Simplifying Social Media Tactics” – Alaina Boyd, UT Center for Profitable Agriculture
December 9, 2025 – Session Title TBA – Brent Lackey and Kellie Padgett, KY Center for Agriculture and Rural Development (KCARD)
Registration
Registration is free, but pre-registration is required.
Please register here at tiny.utk.edu/dairing.
Past Recordings
View the YouTube playlist of past Dair-ing to Learn sessions here.
Questions?
Contact Alaina Boyd at 931-486-2777 ext 126 or acboyd@utk.edu.
TAEP Eligibility
Producers participating in at least five sessions per calendar year will fulfill one Tennessee Agricultural Enhancement Program (TAEP) Producer Diversification educational requirement for the following Producer Diversification sectors: Agritourism, Fruits and Vegetables, and Value-Added. Questions about TAEP should be directed to the TAEP Producer Diversification Coordinator at the Tennessee Department of Agriculture at producer.diversification@tn.gov. To receive credit, participants must either attend the live sessions or view recordings AND submit the evaluation/attendance for all sessions by December 31, 2025.
Funding for this program is made possible, in part, by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service. Additional information about the Southeast Dairy Business Innovation Initiative can be found at https://tiny.utk.edu/sdbii.
Workshop Flyer:
ConeCon; November 10-12, 2026; Palm Springs, CA
Through USDA Dairy Business Innovation Initiative resources, UT’s Center for Dairy Advancement and Sustainability is pleased to provide stipends to assist value-added dairy producers or key personnel in the Southeast Region (Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia) to attend this year’s ConeCon. Selected individuals will be reimbursed registration, lodging, and transportation expenses up to $2,825. Mileage and other ground transportation costs are not reimbursable.
Eligibility is open to owners, managers, or key personnel of the following operation types located in the Southeast Region. Eligible applicants must be affiliated with either an existing or prospective value-added dairy operation. Existing value-added dairy operations must be producing and marketing value-added dairy products (from cattle, sheep, goats, etc.) such as fluid milk, butter, cheese, ice cream, yogurt, soaps, lotions, or other cosmetics. Operations working toward becoming licensed dairy product manufacturers within the next 12 months are eligible to apply as well.
Stipends will be issued as reimbursements once proof of expenses has been provided. Stipends may take up to 12 weeks to process after the course is completed.
For more information about ConeCon, click HERE.
Click HERE to apply. Applications close October 16, 2026 at 11:59 PM.
2026 American Cheese Society Travel Stipends
Through USDA Dairy Business Innovation Initiative resources, UT’s Center for Dairy Advancement and Sustainability is pleased to provide stipends to assist value-added dairy producers or key personnel in the Southeast Region (Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia) to participate in the 2026 American Cheese Society (ACS) Conference. Selected individuals will be reimbursed up to $1,500 to help defray registration and selected travel expenses to attend the 2026 ACS Conference in Louisville, Kentucky between July 7 and 10, 2026.
Eligibility is open to owners, managers, or key personnel of the following operation types located in the Southeast Region. Eligible applicants must be affiliated with either an existing or prospective value-added dairy operation. Existing value-added dairy operations must be producing and marketing value-added dairy products (from cattle, sheep, goats, etc.) such as fluid milk, butter, cheese, ice cream, yogurt, soaps, lotions, or other cosmetics. Operations working toward becoming licensed dairy product manufacturers within the next 12 months are eligible to apply as well. Up to two applicants may apply per dairy operation.
Stipends will be issued as reimbursements once proof of expenses has been provided. Stipends may take 8-12 weeks to process after the conference is concluded. Applicants may be reimbursed up to $1,500. For those who demonstrate expenses less than $1,500, a lower reimbursement amount will be provided to cover expenses in full.
For more information about the American Cheese Society Conference click HERE.
To apply for a travel stipend, click HERE by May 27.
2026 NAFDMA Value-Added Dairy Professional Development Scholarship Opportunity
Description
The NAFDMA Professional Development Scholarship Opportunity provided by the UT Center for Profitable Agriculture on behalf of the Southeast Dairy Business Innovation Initiative (SDBII) provides an opportunity for value-added dairy producers or key personnel in the Southeast region (Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia) to participate in professional development at the upcoming 2026 NAFDMA Convention & Expo to be held in Orlando, FL.
The conference and expo provide opportunities for producers to improve direct farm marketing operations through educational sessions, farm tours, and networking events.
Scholarship Details & Eligibility
Scholarship recipients will be reimbursed up to $2,500 to help defray registration and selected travel expenses to attend the 2026 NAFDMA Agritourism Convention and Expo in Orlando, Florida, from February 4 – 9, 2026.
Owners, managers, or key personnel of the following operation types located in the Southeast region are eligible to apply:
- Existing value-added dairy (cattle, sheep, or goat) operations producing and marketing value-added dairy products such as fluid milk, butter, cheese, ice cream, yogurt, soaps, lotions, other cosmetics, etc. If products for human consumption are being produced, the operation must be a licensed dairy product manufacturer.
- Operations working toward becoming a licensed dairy product manufacturer within the next 12 months.
Date, Time, and Location
The 2026 NAFDMA Agritourism Convention and Expo will be held in Orlando, Florida. The conference dates are February 4 – 9, 2026.
Additional information about the NAFDMA Agritourism Convention and Expo can be found online at nafdmaconvention.com.
Application
Apply for the 2026 NAFDMA Value-Added Dairy Professional Development Scholarship now at tiny.utk.edu/scholarship.
Applications for the scholarship opportunity may be reviewed as early as September 22. The final deadline to apply for this scholarship opportunity is October 1, 2025.
Questions?
Contact Troy Dugger with any questions regarding these workshop sessions at 931-486-2777 or via email at pdugger2@utk.edu.
Workshop Flyer:
Back by popular demand!
Through USDA Dairy Business Innovation Initiative resources, UT’s Center for Dairy Advancement and Sustainability is pleased to provide stipends to assist value-added dairy producers or key personnel in the Southeast Region (Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia) to attend Carpigiani’s Frozen Dessert University in High Point, North Carolina.
The course will take place December 14 – 17, 2026. Selected individuals will be reimbursed lodging and transportation expenses up to $1,000. Registration will be paid in full through SDBII. Mileage and other ground transportation costs are not reimbursable.
Eligibility is open to owners, managers, or key personnel of the following operation types located in the Southeast Region. Up to two personnel may apply per dairy business. Eligible applicants must be affiliated with either an existing or prospective value-added dairy operation. Existing value-added dairy operations must be producing and marketing value-added dairy products (from cattle, sheep, goats, etc.) such as fluid milk, butter, cheese, ice cream, yogurt, soaps, lotions, or other cosmetics. Operations working toward becoming licensed dairy product manufacturers within the next 12 months are eligible to apply as well.
Stipends will be issued as reimbursements once proof of expenses has been provided. Stipends may take up to 12 weeks to process after the course is completed.
Spaces are limited and this is a competitive application process. Preference will be given to operations who did not attend the previous Level I course in January of 2026.
Click HERE to apply. Applications close November 15, 2026, at 11:59 PM. Approved applicants will be notified within one week to allow for travel arrangement.
Through SDBII, participants Southeastern dairy processing businesses may apply for travel assistance to attend the 2027 Georgia Dairy Conference on January 18-20, 2027, in Savannah, Georgia.
About the conference:
“Georgia Milk Producers, Inc. is proud to host the Georgia Dairy Conference in Savannah, GA. Originally created as an opportunity for Georgia dairy producers to gather and discuss recent trends in the dairy industry, the Georgia Dairy Conference has grown to become the Southeast’s premier dairy management conference drawing dairy producers and industry leaders from across the country. Our mission is to provide our dairy farmers with an opportunity to learn from some of the brightest minds in the U.S. dairy industry and connect with dairymen and industry leaders from every sector of our industry.”
For more information, including registration, schedule, and hotel details, visit their website here: GA Dairy Conference.
Travel assistance will be available to Georgia dairy businesses up to $450 and out-of-state dairy businesses up to $1,000. (Georgia producers do not have registration fees, receive a discount on lodging, and have less of a distance to travel.) Funding is limited and this is a competitive application process. These applications will be approved on a rolling basis until we have awarded the available funds for this opportunity. Awards will be issued after the completion of the conference.
Eligibility and Requirements:
– Applicant businesses must be a permitted dairy business in the Southeast region (AL, AR, FL, GA, KY, LA, MS, NC, SC, TN, VA, WV, and Puerto Rico).
– Applicant business personnel must not have attended the Georgia Dairy Conference in 2025 or 2026.
– Approved applicants must sign in with SDBII during the conference and submit hotel receipts for verification of attendance.
Funding for this opportunity is available through USDA-AMS grants.
Click HERE to apply. Applications will be assessed on a rolling basis but will close on November 22, 2026, at 11:59 PM to allow accepted participants time to arrange travel.
2027 Value-Added Dairy Experiential Short Course
Save the date!
We are thrilled to hold our annual SDBII Value-Added Experiential Learning Course in Puerto Rico in April 2027! During the course, participants will have the opportunity to network with Puerto Rican dairy producers and visit small-scale dairy processors throughout the beautiful island of Puerto Rico. Scholarships to participate will be available to accepted participants. Course registration, transportation throughout the course, and lodging and arrangements will be covered by SDBII. SDBII will reimburse up to $500 of flight costs per participant. Participants will be expected to fund at least two meals for themselves throughout the course.
Participation in this course is limited to those age 18 and up from currently permitted dairy businesses, or those within a year’s time of becoming a permitted dairy business, from AL, AR, FL, GA, KY, LA, MS, NC, SC, TN, VA, WV, and Puerto Rico. Up to two personnel per dairy business will be eligible to apply.
Stops will include the following production and processing operations: Indulac (UHT processing facility), Hato Don Benja, De La Crema, Vaquería Las Nubes, Vaca Negra, Vaquería Las Palmas, Proterra Genetics, and more!
Note: All farms currently included in this course are cattle farms.
Applications to participate open October 16, 2026, and will close on November 25, 2026, at 11:59 PM ET. Register for an SDBII applicant profile and apply HERE.
Draft Course Itinerary
Monday, April 19
- Arrival in San Juan, PR
Tuesday, April 20
- Visits to small-scale dairy processors and travel to Hatillo, PR
Wednesday, April 21
- Visits to small-scale dairy processors and symposium
Thursday, April 22
- Visits to small-scale dairy processors
Friday, April 23
- Visits to small-scale dairy processors and travel to San Juan, PR
Saturday, April 24
- Departure from San Juan, PR