By Ali Boochever, Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center
At the Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center (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:
Dairy Farm Improvement and Modernization Grant
This program provides grants to dairy farmers or farmer groups, working with technical assistance providers, producer associations, or milk buyers, to make improvements to farm systems or operations to support long-term farm viability. Projects may cover topics such as upgrading outdated production practices or specialized equipment (e.g., milking systems, animal comfort, water and nutrition management, manure handling); implementing farm-scale technology and green innovations; transitioning to group calf housing; developing collaborative/cooperative milk production models; increasing engagement of new and young farmers; exploring alternative ownership/management models; piloting new technologies with support from technical assistance; or creating a culture of continuous improvement.
Funds may be used for specialized equipment, training, consultant or technical assistance costs, but may not be used for construction or for farm systems that do not impact dairy operations. Applications will be more competitive with evidence of 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.
The application period closes on February 20, 2025 at 2pm ET. Awards will range from $15,000 – $100,000 with a 25% in-kind and/or cash match contribution. Approximately $950,000 in total funds are available this round.
Dairy Co-Packing Grant
This grant will provide funds for existing Northeast dairy processors to initiate new co-packing arrangements or to expand existing co-packing capabilities. Processors who have not previously co-packed will be eligible for funds to add co-packing capabilities to their current business. Processors that currently co-pack will be eligible for funds for activities that will add new co-packing partnerships, scale up existing co-packing relationships, or add additional co-packed product lines.
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 seek technical assistance or training as a subset of their funds for their projects.
The application period is February 4 through April 3, 2025 at 2 pm ET. Awards will range from $15,000 – $150,000 with a 25% in-kind and/or cash match contribution. Approximately $1,100,000 in total funds are available this round.
Upcoming Funding Opportunities
Dairy Food Safety & Certification Grant
This grant will provide funds for dairy farmers, processors, and/or producer associations to take actionable steps to improve the safety of dairy products. Projects funded through this program will support increased production safety standards with the goal of accessing new markets. Projects that increase marketability of dairy products will be prioritized. Activities covered by this grant include accessing technical assistance, audits, food safety plan development, training, testing fees, and certain infrastructure upgrades.
The RFA is expected to be released this month. Awards will range from $10,000 – $50,000 with a 25% in-kind and/or cash match contribution. Approximately $525,000 in total funds are available this round.