Goat & Sheep Dairy Development Grant 2024

The Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center (NE-DBIC) announces the Goat and Sheep Dairy Development Grant program.

Donor Name: Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center (NE-DBIC)

State: Selected States

County: All Counties

Type of Grant: Grant

Deadline: 06/06/2024

Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000

Grant Duration: 1 Year

Details:

This program will strengthen and support the growth of the Northeast goat and sheep dairy sector through projects that address one of the following: 1) business viability, 2) market development, or 3) innovative approaches to production.

Projects are expected to enhance the growth and viability of individual small ruminant businesses, as well as address gaps in technical assistance, improved supply chain partnerships, market access and growth, and long-term business viability.

This program will fund two types of projects:

Individual Business Projects are for farmers or processors making necessary improvements to increase business viability, market development, or innovations in production. Examples of eligible topics include:
- Engagement with a technical assistance provider or consultant to develop and implement business viability improvements around topics areas such as grazing management, cost of production, herd/flock health, business operations, farm transitions
- Business diversification and marketing
- Research and development of innovative solutions to production or management issues
- Trialing new systems or technologies
- Purchase of specialized dairy equipment that help optimize a business
Sector Enhancement Projects must directly engage multiple dairy businesses in activities which improve or expand small ruminant production practices or dairy markets. Projects should strengthen relationships across the goat/sheep dairy supply chain such as farmer-to-farmer, farmer-processor, or processor-customer relationships. Examples of eligible topics include:
- Development and implementation of tools, direct services, educational opportunities, or other resources for goat and/or sheep dairy farmers or processors that will support the growth of the sector. Topics areas could include grazing management, cost of production, herd/flock health, business operations, farm transitions
- Improving farmer access to resources
- Research and development of innovative solutions to production or management issues
- Initial investments to help buyers develop long-term methods for provide direct support or benefits to their suppliers to strengthen supply chain-relationships
- Development of supply chain opportunity.

Projects that engage with relevant technical assistance will be prioritized. Technical assistance includes business planners, grazing specialists, marketing professionals, small ruminant veterinarian services, and other business viability services.

Funding Priorities

All projects are expected to directly address a minimum of two (2) of the following priorities:

Development of resources that fill unmet technical assistance needs of goat/sheep dairy farmers
Increasing pay price for goat/sheep dairy farmers
Producing deliverables that can be used for new goat/sheep dairy farmers starting up, or cow dairy conversions
Projects that include educational/information sharing components that will directly benefit additional farmers or processors beyond the project partners
Collaborative projects that will benefit both farmers and processors
Increasing profits for a dairy business (Individual Business projects only) or multiple businesses
Improvements to herd/flock health, nutrition, and/or milk quality
Reduction of barriers to accessing new markets
Development of market channels and distribution opportunities to increase goat/sheep dairy product placement
Innovative strategies to increase awareness and consumption of goat/sheep dairy products.

Funding Information

Individual business grants will range from $15,000 – $50,000 with a 25% cash and/or in-kind match commitment.
Supply chain projects will range from $25,000 – $75,000 with a 25% cash and/or in-kind match commitment.
Total funds available: $760,000.

Grant Period

Between 8 and 12 months.

Eligible Projects

All projects should support dairy businesses to develop or expand the reach of goat and/or sheep dairy products or markets. Projects must support increased business viability, develop market access/presence, or support innovative strategies to develop the goat and sheep dairy sector.

Eligibility Criteria

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

Applicants eligible for these funds must fall into at least one of the following categories:

Dairy farmer (producer) that:
- currently produces goat or sheep milk, or will by the end of the grant if their grant project includes transitioning from cow dairy
- is headquartered or based in the Northeast; and
- produces milk within the Northeast; and
- is a licensed dairy operation in compliance with all required state and/federal standards
Dairy processor that:
- currently transforms raw goat/sheep milk into an edible product; and
- is licensed in a way that their product can be sold across state lines; and
- is headquartered or based in the Northeast; and
- sources or produces milk that originates within the Northeast; and
- if a value-added processor, manufactures products within the Northeast.
Dairy producer association/dairy council which represents and promotes goat and/or sheep dairy products/dairy businesses of the Northeast region. Grant projects submitted by dairy producer association applicants should meet the requirements of a Sector Enhancement project.
Technical assistance provider working directly with a group of goat/sheep dairy farmers and/or processors. Grant projects submitted by technical assistance provider applicants should meet the requirements of a Sector Enhancement project.