The NE-DBIC Dairy Farm Improvement & Modernization Grant Program Opens to Farmers in 11 states

$1 Million for Northeast Dairy Farm Modernization

Dairy farmers across the Northeast can now apply for the Dairy Farm Improvement & Modernization Grant through the Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center (NE-DBIC).

With a total of $1,000,000 in funding, this grant program will support a wide range of projects aimed at modernizing outdated systems, improving farm viability, increasing animal health and comfort, improving milk quality, and strengthening dairy farms’ ability to respond to challenges. Grants will range from $15,000 to $100,000 with a 25% in-kind and/or cash match required.

Projects in this program must show a systems-level approach to improving the farm. Projects that show benefits to more than one farm or include collaboration with experts such as technical service providers may be more competitive. Projects that only replace old equipment without broader improvements to farm systems are not eligible.

Projects may focus on:

Please note that this year, this application has two stages: pre-applications will be open October 29 through December 17, and a subset of applicants will then be invited to submit a full application in the winter.

Eligible applicants include dairy farmers, producer associations or technical service providers applying on behalf of farmers, and milk buyers focusing on on-farm milk production or transfer. The Request for Pre-Applications is available on the Dairy Farm Improvement & Modernization webpage.

Grants are available to applicants in all 11 Northeast states served by NE-DBIC: Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont.

The NE-DBIC’s investment and project strategy promotes innovation and resiliency for regional production of dairy products across an 11-state Northeast region.  Hosted by the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets, the NE-DBIC is funded through the USDA-AMS.