Dairy Excellence Grants Now Open: Apply Today

Are you looking to make an improvement to boost efficiency on your dairy operation? Whether you want to install a fan or sprinkler system in your freestall barn, upgrade your feed mixer in your feeding system, replace your milking units with a more efficient system, or invest in another type of improvement project that enhances cow comfort, consider applying for a Dairy Excellence Grant. The application period is now open for our fall round. Apply by October 16 for this competitive grant.

Pennsylvania dairy farms can apply online or via a printed application from Sept. 15 to Oct. 16 for our fall round of funding. This is a very competitive grant program for Pennsylvania dairy farms only, and limited grants are available. Recipients will receive committee approval before grant awards will be made.

Keep reading to learn more about the grant opportunity, how to apply, and hear from other dairy producers who have used the grants to benefit their dairy operations.

About the Grant:
The Center for Dairy Excellence leverages funds provided through the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and PA Dairymen’s Association to provide Dairy Excellence Grants to support improvement projects on the farm. Projects can include anything related to improving dairy farm efficiency, cow comfort, milking facilities, housing facilities, or feeding systems. The project should focus on improving milk production per cow and/or enhancing overall farm profitability and efficiency. 

Grant Amount:
The grants offer up to a 50 percent, or up to a maximum matching level of $5,000, to dairy farms approved into the program.

Ideas of Improvement Projects: 

• Fans, sprinklers or misters in free stall or tie stall barn
• Curtains or other ventilation improvements
• Mattresses or construction to move to deep bedded sand stalls
• Variable speed pulsation
• Cow brush or foot bath installation
• View examples of projects from past grant recipients.

Eligibility:
This grant is for Pennsylvania dairy farms only.

Dairy farm businesses or individuals receiving the Dairy Excellence Grant during the Spring 2023 round are not eligible to receive a grant in this round. Those who applied for a Dairy Excellence Grant at any point but were not accepted into the program are eligible to apply again. Those who received a Dairy Excellence Grant in the Fall of 2022 are eligible to apply again.

Application Requirements: 
As part of the application, you will be required to:

• Be compliant with the National FARM Program or a similar program
• Have a Conservation and Nutrient Management Plan in place
• List two consultants/advisors who work with your farm (ex. nutritionist, accountant, veterinarian, etc.)
• Explain how the improvement will help your overall operation and aid in milk production per cow, efficiency and/or cow comfort
• Submit a $100 application fee. It will be reimbursed if your application is not accepted.

How to Apply: 
Click here to apply online or download a printed application. 

Application Deadline: 
You have from Sept. 15 to Oct. 16, 2023 to submit your application. Winning grant award recipients will be notified by October 25 with expenses/invoices due by February 29, 2024. Application fees will be refunded to those who are not awarded grants.

Questions:
If you have questions, contact Melissa Anderson at 717-636-0779 or manderson@centerfordairyexcellence.org.

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