Climate-Smart Grants Available for PA Dairy Producers

Are you looking to identify and implement climate-smart practices that will benefit your dairy operation? Pennsylvania dairy producers can apply for Climate-Smart Grants available through the CARAT Project, conducted by Penn State University and partners. CARAT stands for climate-smart agriculture that is profitable, regenerative, actionable, and trustworthy (CARAT). The focus of the project is on dairy production in Pennsylvania, a sector with potential to reduce greenhouse gases by suppressing methane and nitrous oxide emissions and by storing carbon.

No more than 150 dairy farms will be approved through the pre-qualification process (on a first come, first served basis) to work with a technical service provider to develop climate-smart plans and environmental best practices for their dairy operations. From there, 69 dairy farms across three cohorts — each representative of the various scales and types of dairies in Pennsylvania – will be selected for implementation of their plan.

Pennsylvania dairy farms with 35 lactating cows or more or custom dairy heifer facilities with 100 or more dairy heifers that have a 1) Ag E&S or conservation plan and 2) manure management or nutrient management plan in place (two total plans) are eligible to apply for the grants.

• Click here to apply and get pre-qualified today.
• Click here to read frequently asked questions to learn more.

If you have dairy producers you know who might be eligible for this grant opportunity, please reply to this email and we can send you copies of postcards and brochures as leave-behind items with more information. 

Contact Melissa Anderson at manderson@centerfordairyexcellence.org or call 717-788-0296 to learn more about funding levels per farm, what portion of costs the farmer is responsible for, technical service providers and more.

Apply for a Climate-Smart Grant