The Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center (NE-DBIC) announces the availability of funds through the Dairy Farm Improvement & Modernization program.
Donor Name: Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center (NE-DBIC)
State: Selected States
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 12/07/2023
Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000
Grant Duration: 1 Year
Details:
This grant program is available for dairy farmers or groups of farmers via technical assistance providers, producer associations, or milk buyers and 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.
The NE-DBIC’s Dairy Farm Improvement & Modernization Grant program will provide grants for dairy farmers to support long-term farm viability through the implementation of community- and climate forward production strategies. Projects funded through this grant program will take a strategic, whole farm system approach and increase collaboration with other farms or dairy sector stakeholders. Grants will allow dairy farmers to make improvements to their management strategies, modernize equipment and systems, and/or to implement modern or innovative practices on farms.
This grant will fund a wide range of projects across farm production and business operation models. Projects may address improvements in areas such as, but in no way limited to: modernization of outdated specialized farm equipment; farm-scale appropriate technology improvements; development of green technologies; creating new models for collaborative/cooperative milk production or handling; increased new and young farmer engagement; alternative business ownership/management models; or creating a culture of continuous improvement. Improvements made with this grant funding should be part of a plan to support long-term business success and result in climate resilience, improved ecological, and/or economic resilience.
Funding Priorities
Project approaches should address at least two of the following funding priority areas:
- Project will support adoption of farm practices that enhance ecological outcomes, improve animal health, and support farmer well-being
- Project will enhance collaboration and learning between farmers and encourage young/beginning farmer participation
- Project includes direct involvement of a service provider, business planner, farm succession planner, or technical assistance provider
- Project increases value or marketability of milk produced
- Project reduces energy inputs and/or climate impacts
- Project includes plan to participate in and/or lead educational opportunities to share information about the applicant’s project to benefit the broader dairy community.
Funding Information
- Total program funds: $1,495,000, including:
- $695,000 for projects from current or former NE-DBIC Technical Assistance Cohort participants
- $800,000 for projects from non-cohort applicants
- Minimum: $15,000
- Maximum: $100,000
- Match: A 25% (cash and/or in-kind) match commitment is required.
Grant Period
Grant periods will range from 6 – 12 months, depending on the project. Projects from NE-DBIC Cohort participants should be 6 months in length.
Eligible Projects
- Utilization of modern technologies to improve animal health, enhance labor efficiencies, reduce energy costs, and/or increase utilization of the farm’s land base
- Adoption of innovative or non-traditional farming practices
- Modernization of farm infrastructure and systems.
Geographical Areas
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.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants eligible for these funds are:
- 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.
- Producer associations that represent, support, or promote 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
- Technical service providers (e.g., university extension or viability organizations) are eligible to apply if:
- The group of farmers they will work with is clearly defined in the application; and
- The farms receiving services are located in the Northeast and produce milk in the Northeast
- Milk buyers/processors are eligible to apply if:
- The project focuses on-farm milk production and/or increases the efficiencies of milk pickup and hauling; and
- The group of farmers involved in the project is clearly defined in the application; and
- The farms are located in the Northeast and produce milk in the Northeast; and
- The milk buyer/processor is located in the Northeast.
For more information, visit NE-DBIC.
