NE-DBIC Grant Helps Menard Center Farm Prepare For the Future
By Katie Spring, Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center
In 2023, Menard Center Farm received a $21,850 Dairy Farm Innovation and Alternative Management Grant from the Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center (NE-DBIC).
Co-owned by Mike Menard and his son, Landis, Menard Center Farm (MCF) is an organic dairy milking 47 cows in Fairfield, VT. Over the next few years, Landis will take full ownership as Mike retires. With a generational transfer in sight, the father and son have been looking for ways to make their operation more efficient.
First, Mike and Landis enrolled in a Nutrient Management Planning course through UVM Extension, where they focused on better manure management as a key area to increase efficiency. Later, as members of Organic Valley, they enrolled in the NE-DBIC funded Organic Valley Dairy Cohort. Through the cohort, they worked with Brian Jerose of Agrilab Technologies, who noticed the cows were wasting coarse hay feed while the farmers spent a lot of time lugging bedding for their pack. Thanks to the technical assistance they received through UVM Extension and the Dairy Cohort, MCF determined that one key piece of equipment would do multiple jobs, and address manure and feed issues on the farm.
That’s where the Dairy Farm Innovation and Alternative Management Grant comes in.
With support from their Dairy Cohort TA, MCF applied for and was awarded $21,850 in funding to purchase a bale shredder. Before purchasing the new equipment, MCF frequently dealt with clogs in the tie-stall barn when gutter-cleaned manure mixed with coarse hay. Their cows wasted hay that was too long, and the bedding in the heifer and calf bedded pack didn't absorb enough moisture because it was too large. The bale shredder could solve all three of these problems.
Within a month of use, the cows were eating more and wasting less hay. Just as importantly, Mike and Landis noticed a new ease in moving feed hay, which meant less strain on their backs. Over the course of their 10-month grant period, the success of the bale chopper became clearer. Chopped bales in the bedded pack pens led to improved animal cleanliness and reduced farm labor time. The bale chopper was particularly effective in processing coarse late-cut forage bales. After processing, cow refusal rates went from 50% to 10%, saving at least 30 bales.
While Mike and Landis found that earlier cut hay with less lignin doesn’t chop as easily, it’s also less likely to be refused by the cows. With that in mind, they’re using the bale chopper primarily for coarser hay and bedded pack. Watch a video of the bale shredder in action on the NE-DBIC blog: nedairyinnovation.com/menard-center-farm
Overall, the grant project has been a success. Thanks to the bale shredder, Mike and Landis are saving up to 20 hours a month on labor, enabling them to spend more time on livestock care and other farm tasks. The decrease of feed refusal and subsequent bale savings opens up opportunities for MCF to increase revenue through sales of certified organic bales. All of this adds up to support Mike’s gradual retirement and farm transition to Landis.
After seeing a large impact and need for funding equipment and modernization efforts on dairy farms, NE-DBIC has expanded the original Dairy Farm Innovation & Alternative Management grant. The updated program is now called the Dairy Farm Improvement & Modernization Grant, and applications will open for a new round of funding in November. Learn more about the upcoming grant round, and view our full Grants Calendar at nedairyinnovation.com/grants
Menard Center Farm – Tomhawk Bale Chopper
The Big Picture of Sustainable Packaging
By Katie Spring, Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center
In 2022, Big Picture Farm received a $147,800 Dairy Packaging Innovation Grant through the Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center (NE-DBIC). Their project goal was to eliminate virgin plastic from every aspect of their distribution. Thanks to the NE-DBIC funding, they’ve not only transitioned to more sustainable options for everything from their cheese and caramel wrappers to packaging tape and shipping labels, they’ve also created an open-source guide for others to use as well. This guide is ideal for small to medium-sized producers looking for environmentally friendly packaging options that are recyclable, compostable, and FSC-certified. Access the guide on Big Picture Farm’s website: bigpicturefarm.com/pages/sustainability
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:
New Dairy Processor Start-up Grant
Grant funds will support new dairy processing projects throughout the Northeast. The goal of this program is to help develop competitive dairy processing businesses with long-term viability, supporting operations of all sizes in successfully launching and sustaining their products in the marketplace. This program is for:
- dairy farmers ready to begin processing,
- value-added entrepreneurs with proven experience in dairy processing or value added business startups, or
- dairy processors established after January 1, 2023 who are in the start-up phase of business development.
Applicants are required to allocate at least 15% of their funding towards obtaining technical assistance or training relevant to starting up value-added production. Funds can also cover the purchase of specialized dairy processing equipment and supplies, enhancement of food safety measures, professional marketing and branding efforts, market access strategies, and product development.
Evidence of prior or current technical assistance from a service provider or business planner supporting the development of the project will make applications more competitive.
The application deadline is September 5, 2024 at 2 PM ET. Awards will range from $15,000 to $75,000, with a 25% match commitment. Approximately $500,000 in total funds are available this round.
Innovation in Dairy Processor and Packaging 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 of various scales. Projects funded through this program will help dairy processors gain knowledge that will allow them to make informed, long-term business investments with positive environmental and/or economic impacts.
Funded projects will focus on developing alternatives to current industry standards through initiatives that are applicable, scalable, and replicable to other Northeast dairy processors. Each project must include an educational or information-sharing component for other regional dairy processors. Projects should increase collaboration across the dairy sector to ensure the greatest number of businesses benefit.
All projects must:
- Demonstrate sustainability, scalability, and marketability at the forefront.
- Demonstrate accessibility of packaging innovation, particularly for the scale of processors in the Northeast.
- Include an educational/knowledge sharing component for the industry. This does not exclude the ability for the grantee to acquire patent protections for technologies developed within this grant project.
- Incorporate partnership across sectors (minimum of one dairy processor as a key partner, if applicant is not a dairy processor).
Priority will go to:
- Projects that support modernized packaging initiatives prioritizing sustainability, scalability, and marketability for small and mid-sized processors
Projects that partner across the dairy and packaging manufacturing sectors and can demonstrate positive impact on multiple dairy businesses and supply chain partners.
The application deadline is October 24, 2024 at 2 PM ET. Awards range from $75,000 to $350,000, with a 25% match commitment. Approximately $1,500,000 in 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 up to five 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. Trade shows must occur before June 30, 2025.
Applications are currently being accepted on a rolling basis until November 28, 2024 at 2 PM ET or until funds run out. Awards will range from $5,000 to $20,000 with a 25% match commitment. Approximately $150,000 total funds are available this round.
Upcoming Funding Opportunities:
Dairy Co-packing Grant
This grant will provide funds for existing Northeast dairy processors to initiate new co-packing arrangements or 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 to add new co-packing partnerships, scale up existing co-packing relationships, or add additional co-packed product lines.
Applicants will be required to utilize technical assistance or training as part of 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 for this grant. 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.
The RFA is expected to be released in late 2024. Awards will range from $15,000 to $150,000 with a 25% match contribution.
Find out more about these current and upcoming funding opportunities on our full funding calendar on our website at: nedairyinnovation.com/grants