Industrial Park. Processing 8 million pounds of milk daily, the 375,000-square-foot operation produces a 40-pound cheese block every 20 seconds and is one of North America’s two largest dairy processing facilities. The partnership between Irish food giant Glanbia Nutritionals, Dairy Farmers of America, and Select Milk Producers addressed a critical need. In 2017, Michigan milk producers lost more than $164 million due to oversupply and high transportation costs. “One of the priorities that has been discussed by the board of commissioners is to pursue opportunities that are consistent with that same rural economic development that fits in and benefits the agricultural nature of the county overall,” Fuentes adds. “Those opportunities are fewer and far between at this point, but from both the elected officials and the community, the priority has been opportunities that make sense within the agricultural heritage of the county.” BUILDING TOMORROW’S WORKFORCE The dairy processing facility’s arrival highlighted a broader challenge facing Clinton County and rural communities nationwide: developing a workforce equipped for increasingly sophisticated agricultural operations. Modern dairy processing requires technical skills far removed from traditional farming, encompassing food safety protocols, mechanical systems, and quality assurance procedures that demand specialized training. The county addresses this gap through its Regional Education Service Agency, a Michigan-specific governmental structure that coordinates multiple school districts within the county.“There’s a specific example administered by the county Regional Education Service Agency,” Fuentes says.“They have a specific career expo that focuses on what I would call more trade and training-oriented opportunities rather than just educational opportunities, strictly focused on local industry and local employers. Local employers are involved in agricultural business and agribusiness, so they target the available opportunities here in the county.” Beyond institutional programs, the county maintains a robust 4-H presence that continues agricultural 200 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 07, ISSUE 01
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