FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) - A total of $690,000 in federal funding was awarded to Fresno State to support dairy businesses and help farmers tap into higher-value uses for milk, such as artisanal cheeses and organic dairy products, Congressman Jim Costa announced. “Fresno State continues to grow the next generation of innovative dairymen and women. This funding initiative fortifies the California dairy market and boosts research needs on the ground, which enhances educational pathways for students aspiring to thrive in the dairy industry,” said Costa. In 2022, Fresno State began a partnership with the California Dairy Innovation Center to create a "Pacific Coast Coalition" to support dairy businesses in California, Oregon, and Washington in the production, marketing, and distribution of dairy products, officials say. The grant was awarded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Officials say Fresno State has received a total of $20 million from the USDA for the initiative.