Dairy Farm Improvement & Modernization Grant

Grant Overview

Join us for a webinar to learn more about this grant on October 23. Register here.

This grant for dairy farmers will fund a wide range of projects that prioritize long term farm viability and climate/economic resilience. Projects at all stages and levels of complexity will be considered, but the most competitive projects will include direct involvement of a service provider, business planner, farm succession planner, or technical assistance provider to demonstrate a strategic, long-term approach to their grant project investment.  Projects that benefit more than one dairy farm will also be more competitive.  

Projects areas may address improvements in topics such as upgrades to outdated farm production practices or specialized equipment, transition to group calf housing, creating new models for collaborative/cooperative milk production, increased new and young farmer engagement, alternative business ownership/management models, development of green technologies, farm-scale appropriate technology improvements, or creating a culture of continuous improvement, and beyond. Improvements made with this grant funding should result in climate resilience, improved ecological and/or economic resilience. 

Construction and general-purpose equipment purchases are not allowable costs. 

Awards

Awards will range from $15,000 – $100,000 with a 25% in-kind and/or cash match contribution.  

Current and former farmer participants from NE-DBIC funded Grazing Transition, Forage Enhancement, or Alternative Farm Management Technical Assistance cohorts will receive priority for $695,000 of the funds from this grant.  

Total funds available: $1,495,000 

Eligibility

Grants are available to applicants in all 11 Northeast states served by NE-DBIC: Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont.  

Applicants eligible for these funds are one or more of the following:  

  1. Dairy farmers (producers) that: 
    • are headquartered or based in the Northeast; and  
    • produce milk within the Northeast; and  
    • are licensed dairy operations in compliance with all required state and/federal standards  
  1. Producer associations that represent, supports, or promotes dairy products originating from the Northeast 
    • For the purposes of this grant, a producer association group, also known as a trade association, industry trade group, business association, sector association, or industry body, is an organization founded and funded by businesses that operate in a specific industry. 
  1. Technical service providers (e.g., university extension or viability organizations) are eligible to apply if: 
    • The group of dairy businesses they will work with is clearly defined in the application; and  
    • The businesses receiving services are located in the Northeast. 

How to Apply

  1. Once it is released, review the full Dairy Farm Improvement & Modernization RFA (request for applications) for the complete details on eligible projects/applicants and the full application process. This RFA is expected to be released in October 2023. 
  2. Register in WebGrants (may take up to two business days). 
  3. Complete your application in WebGrants using our Application Guide. Application period is expected to be from October – December 2023. 
  4. Applicants who do not already have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) through SAM.gov are strongly encouraged to start this process during the application period to ensure a timely start to their grant, if awarded.  

Have a Question about this Grant? 

Have a question? Contact Ben.Eldredge@vermont.gov  

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