Grant Overview
The Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center (NE-DBIC) announces the availability of funds through the On-Farm Milk Storage & Handling Grant program, which will provide grants for dairy farmers to access funds that support the purchase of equipment and other related costs that will improve milk storage, handling, and energy efficiencies. The focus of this grant is on the purchase of specialized equipment. Applicants will be able to select from a pre-approved list of eligible equipment which includes milk storage tanks, milk pipeline, glycol chillers, milk loading systems, reclaim systems for water, cooling equipment, plate coolers/heat exchangers, and equipment installation costs.
Projects funded by this grant will streamline milk pick up, create efficiencies around milk storage, and improve handling for both farmers and their processors. Successful applications will show reduced costs to the farmer and will improve efficiencies around the movement of milk, reduce frequency of milk pick up, and/or otherwise meet processors' needs for improved storage and handling.
Grants are available to applicants in all 11 Northeast states: Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont.
Grants will range from $15,000- $50,000 with a 25% match commitment. Match waivers are also available. FSA low-interest loans and other grants are encouraged to supplement the project. Total funds available: $1,000,000.
**This funding opportunity is closed for 2022.**
Eligibility
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.
How to Apply
- Review the full On-Farm Milk Storage & Handling Grant RFA (request for applications) for the application details and process when it becomes available in fall 2023.
- Register in WebGrants (may take up to two business days).
- Complete your application in WebGrants using our Application Guide. Applications will reopen in fall 2023
- 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. There are currently significant delays.
Previous Round
Review the 2022 On-Farm Milk Storage & Handling Grant RFA. The RFA will be updated and is subject to change for 2023.
Have a Question about this Grant?
Have a question? Contact Ben Eldredge.