Investing in Goat & Sheep Dairy
By Katie Spring, Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center
While cows produce the majority of milk in the Northeast, sheep and goats play an important role in the overall dairy landscape – and a new grant program from NE-DBIC aims to support their growth. This underdeveloped sector of Northeast dairy has strong potential and increasing consumer demand. According to research conducted by Atlantic Corporation on behalf of NE-DBIC, “Consumers are willing to pay the highest premiums for local or organic sheep and goat milk.” However, their research also revealed that, with the exception of goat cheese, many consumers don’t believe sheep and goat products are available at their typical shopping areas. Still, as Atlantic’s research shows, “the customer segment for local [goat and sheep] dairy products may be smaller, but it could lead to greater profit margins.”
To help develop small ruminant dairy, NE-DBIC launched a goat and sheep dairy supply chain development grant in 2021. Building on this, 2024’s Goat and Sheep Dairy Development Grant program is now accepting applications until June 6. This grant aims to support projects both for individual goat and sheep dairy farmers and for the supply-chain that supports those farms. Recipients of the previous iteration of this grant included Ayers Brook Goat Dairy of Randolph, VT, whose grant project focused on increased productivity through genetic herd improvements and sales of bucklings and semen with proven genetics throughout the region, bolstering the genetic foundation of dairy goat herds at farms throughout New England to support competitiveness and profitability of the regional goat dairy industry.
Other grantees include Vermont Shepherd of Putney, VT, who received funding to provide an education series to potential and existing sheep dairy farmers, expanding knowledge and increasing the potential for sheep dairy growth. Boston Post Dairy of Enosburg Falls used grant funds to invest in key systems and equipment to increase production efficiencies and expand product line availability to retail accounts, getting more goat cheese on the market. And Misty Meadows Sheep Dairy of Woodbine, NY increased their value-added processing capacity for sheep milk products, allowing them to source increased milk volume from regional sheep dairy farms. This in turn helped them access regional market opportunities for sheep milk yogurt and ice cream products.
The current round of the Goat & Sheep Dairy Supply Chain Development Grant focuses on the development or expansion of goat and/or sheep dairy products or markets. Learn more and apply at nedairyinnovation.com/grants/goat-sheep-dairy-development
Current & Upcoming Dairy Grants
By Ali Boochever, Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center
At NE-DBIC, our goal is to help dairy farms and processors innovate to become more sustainable and resilient. Whether you’re looking for funding to purchase specialized equipment, to implement an innovative practice, or to receive technical assistance, consider applying for an NE-DBIC grant. Access full details and Requests for Applications online at nedairyinnovation.com/grants
Open Funding Opportunities
Goat & Sheep Dairy Supply Chain Development Grant
This grant program will provide funds to 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.
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.
- 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.
The deadline for grant applications has been extended to June 6, 2024, at 2 PM ET. Awards will range from $15,000 to $50,000 for Individual Business Grants and $25,000 to $75,000 for Sector Enhancement Grants with a 25% match commitment. Approximately $760,000 total funds are available this round.
Dairy Trade Show Assistance Grant
This grant will provide funds for dairy processors and/or producer associations to exhibit and sell value-added dairy products at domestic and/or international business-to-business trade shows. This grant will support established value-added dairy processor businesses and producer associations in increasing exposure and promotion of their regionally produced dairy products. Grant funds will cover the cost of attending tradeshows including registration, travel, costs of product samples, production and distribution of sell-sheets and other marketing materials, professional branding and design services, trade show booth set-up, and more.
Applications are currently being accepted on a rolling basis until June 25, 2024. Awards will range from $5,000 to $20,000 with a 25% match commitment. Approximately $125,000 total funds are available this round.
Dairy Marketing & Branding Services Grant
This grant will provide funds for established value-added dairy processors and producer associations to access professional marketing and branding services to elevate their value-added dairy businesses. Up to 25% of the grant funds can be used to implement the strategy and/or content developed by the contractor.
The deadline for applications is June 13, 2024, at 2 PM ET. Awards will range from $10,000 to $50,000 with a 25 % match commitment. Approximately $300,000 total funds are available this round.
Upcoming Funding Opportunities:
Dairy Processor Start-Up Grant
Dairy Processor Start-up Grants will be available to dairy farmers looking to diversify by adding processing to their operation. Non-farm applicants are eligible to start up dairy processing businesses if they have established a business entity prior to applying and can demonstrate strong experience in dairy processing and value-added business start-up. Those who have started up dairy processing businesses after January 1, 2023, are eligible to apply. Grants will range from $15,000 to $75,000.
Funds may be used to purchase specialized dairy processing equipment and/or supplies, increase food safety, marketing and branding, market access, and/or product development.
Applicants will be required to utilize technical assistance or training as a subset of their funds in their projects. Applicants are strongly encouraged to engage in technical assistance such as business planning, market research, or other relevant pre-work ahead of applying.
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.
Full program details will be posted in early summer.
Dairy Packaging & Processor Innovation Grant
This grant will provide funds for dairy processors, dairy producer associations, and educational research institutions to conduct research and development projects that support innovation for Northeast dairy processors across a variety of scales. Technical assistance providers may also apply for a project that will directly involve and benefit a group of dairy processors. Projects funded through this program will support dairy processors in gaining knowledge that will allow them to make informed, long-term business investments with positive environmental and/or economic impacts.
This grant round will include a two-step application process. Following the review of pre-applications, a subset of applicants will be invited to submit a full application.
- Pre-Application Anticipated Timeline: June – August 2024
- Full Application Anticipated Timeline: September – October 2024
Grants will range from $75,000 to $350,000 with a 25% (cash or in-kind) match commitment required. Approximately $1,500,000 total funds are available this round.