Happy New Year from the Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center!
January’s a natural time to take stock of your business and goals. As you prepare for the year ahead, you might be asking questions like:
- What areas of our business do we want to expand?
- Are there any practices we want to implement or build upon?
- How can we become more financially sustainable and environmentally sustainable?
At NE-DBIC, our goal is to help dairy farms and processors innovate to become more sustainable and resilient – so when the unexpected happens (a pandemic and extended supply-chain issues, for instance), you’re equipped to meet those challenges and continue milking, processing, and distributing your dairy products throughout your community and region.
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 this year.
Our open funding opportunities are:
Dairy Food Safety & Certification Grant – this supports food safety projects including specialized equipment purchase, supplies, food safety training, and certifications. Open now through January 19, 2023.
Dairy Innovation & Alternative Management Grant – for community and climate forward farm production and business operation models. Open now through February 2, 2023.
Organic On-Farm Milk Storage & Handling Grant – open to organic dairy farmers to purchase equipment and related costs to improve milk storage, handling, and energy efficiencies. Open now through February 9, 2023
Grants opening in January:
Dairy Processing Research & Development Innovation Grant – for long-term business investments that increase processor business consumer appeal and marketability of value-added products. Opens in January.
Existing Dairy Processor Expansion Grant – tiered grants for specialized equipment needed to increase processing capacity of regionally produced milk. Opens in January.
Upcoming funding opportunities:
From spring through fall, we’ll be opening more grants for farmers, processors, and technical service providers. Those include the popular Dairy Farm Cohort Technical Assistance, Dairy Packaging Innovation, and another round of On-Farm Milk Storage & Handling.
For more information on each grant, view our funding calendar.
Stay up to date and get notified about upcoming grants and events when you sign up for our monthly email newsletter.
From our team to you and yours – may you have a happy and healthy New Year!
photo credit: Vermont Creamery