By Katie Spring, Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center
The Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center is pleased to announce the Goat & Sheep Dairy Development Grant Awards.
This grant funds both Individual Business projects and Sector Enhancement projects. With an aim to enhance the growth of individual small ruminant businesses, as well as address gaps in technical assistance, supply chain partnerships, and market access, the program's overall goal is to support long-term business viability.
Ten dairy businesses from across six states were selected for awards. Funded projects include the purchasing of specialized equipment to expand production and increase energy efficiency, working with marketing specialists to promote products throughout the Northeast, and installing a virtual fencing system. Individual award amounts will range from $$16,848 to $74,617 with a total of $422,575 in overall funding.
Three Vermont businesses have been selected for awards:
Danz Ahn Dairy – $19,417 to improve farm efficiency and accommodate continued business growth by replacing its milk storage and handling equipment. This project will add a bucket milker, a 30-gallon bulk storage tank, and a dump station to the farm’s milkhouse and creamery.
Doe’s Leap – $16,848 to install a virtual fencing system for dairy goats, enabling a management-intensive rotational grazing system that includes both traditional grassland and silvopasture. They will share information about fencing improvements and innovation through a video presentation and offer opportunities for a pasture walk to other regional goat dairy business owners.
Hall and Breen Farm – $50,000 to complete a transition from cow-to goat-based dairy operations by purchasing and installing a new milking parlor, retrofitting existing barns to accommodate goats, and beginning the sale of goat’s milk to dairy processors within the regional supply chain.
Visit nedairyinnovation.com/2024-goat-sheep-awards to see the full list of farms selected for awards.