Dairy Excellence Grants Now Open: Apply Today

Are you looking to make an improvement that will 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 our annual Dairy Excellence Grants. The application period is now open. Apply by November 1 for this competitive grant.

Pennsylvania dairy farms can apply online or via a printed application from Sept. 1 to Nov. 1 for this round of funding. This is a very competitive grant program for Pennsylvania dairy farms only, and limited grants are available. Recipients will receive notice of grant approval by November 18. If you are not awarded a grant, your application fee will be reimbursed.

How the Grants Can Help:

• “[The grant] might not cover the entire project, but for us, it made the difference between us having enough to swing it or put it off another year.” – Lori, PA dairy farmer
• “The price of sawdust keeps going up all the time, and now I’m using less fuel and spending less time in the skid loader. This project has been a huge help financially.”– Justin, PA dairy farmer
• “It’s one of those projects that every year we’ve wanted to do, but it kept getting pushed down the priority list. But once we had the grant, it helped us make it happen.” – Royek Family, PA dairy farmers

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

Learn More About The Grants

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.

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. 1 to Nov. 1, 2024 to submit your application. Winning grant award recipients will be notified by November 18 with expenses/invoices due by June 15, 2025. Application fees will be refunded to those who are not awarded grants.

Questions:
If you have questions, contact Melissa Anderson at 717-788-0296 or manderson@centerfordairyexcellence.org.

Apply For A Grant