Dairy Advancement Program receives continued funding

Applications for CNMPs and Engineering of BMPs funding are OPEN. Develop plans and design practices to address water quality concerns.

Dairy Advancement Program (DAP), supported by New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and the Environmental Protection Fund, provides funds to eligible small to mid-size dairy cattle farms for development or update of the farm’s comprehensive nutrient management plan (CNMP) by an AEM Certified Planner, and the engineering services required to design best management practices associated with the farm’s CNMP. Additionally, farms of any size may apply for funds to install a new non-contact cooling water reclamation system if they are discharging that water to surface waters, which is prohibited in the NYS Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation general permit. Learn more about eligibility requirements and apply online.

Small dairies that enroll in DAP receive an updated CNMP that identifies water quality resource concerns and options available to address those resource concerns through Best Management Practices (BMPs). The CNMP addresses nutrient runoff from use of manure and fertilizer by managing them in an agronomic way to balance crop nutrient needs while reducing losses, benefitting the farm and the environment. Small dairies that follow their CNMP will reduce nutrient and sediment loading to watersheds from their farmland.

Implementing the necessary structural BMP elements of a CNMP is a significant undertaking for any farm. Supporting small to medium size dairies to design structural elements of their CNMP with certified engineers provides these farmers with the necessary tools to reduce nutrient and sediment runoff from the farming operation’s production areas. Water re-use systems help ensure recharge of our source water, which reduces impacts from drought conditions when water availability can be reduced, and eliminates risk of erosion and sediment releases associated with overland discharges off-site.

This newest round of funding also supports six Environmental Planning and Agricultural Engineering interns across New York state this and future summers. Recruitment of agricultural professionals helps ensure plans and structural practices can and are implemented across the state, and is key to meet demand for continued environmental stewardship from New York’s dairy farms.

For more information or to apply for funding, contact: Caroline Potter | 315-882-2083 | dap@cornell.edu

DAIRY ADVANCEMENT PROGRAM