Consider Being Part of Our Innovation Grant Application: Pre-Apply by March 18 for Activity Monitoring Systems
How does it work?
Disclaimer: Due to the nature of this process, there will not be any funding awarded unless the Center’s application is approved. Pre-applications are being accepted through March 18 to be included with our proposal to the PA Ag Innovation Fund. However, even if the farm is selected to be submitted with our application, any funds awarded will be dependent upon the Center for Dairy Excellence’s application being awarded funding from the Ag Innovation Fund.
What types of projects are applicable?
The Center plans to pursue grant funding to award Dairy Innovation Grants to up to 20 dairy farm operations that want to invest in activity monitoring systems. This technology would improve herd health and reproduction efficiency and the overall efficiencies of the farm. We narrowed the focus of this grant to activity monitoring systems to strengthen our application for the grant funding. If accepted, it would allow the Center to award up to $25,000 in matching funds to up to 20 dairy farms. Potential projects cannot be started prior to notification of farm’s award.
What is the timeline?
This is a competitive grant program, and dairy producers must apply by March 18 by 3 p.m. to give the Center enough time to submit its application to the Pennsylvania Dairy Innovation Fund. Successful farms would be notified of their acceptance into the pre-application period in April 2026 but would not know whether the funding is awarded until the announcement of the Pennsylvania Ag Innovation Grant Awardees.
> Click here to submit your pre-application by March 18.
To qualify for this grant opportunity, applicants must:
- Have a biosecurity plan in place
- Have a conservation plan, manure management plan, and knowledge of financials
- Be participating in National FARM or similar animal care program
- Be a farm operation with anticipated farm sales of greater than $2,000 per year and at least 35 dairy cows in their lactating dairy herd or 70 goats in their lactating goat herd.
- Provide a letter of support from their farm to submit with our larger application to the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture (template provided within the application). Click here to download a letter of support template.
- Provide thorough description and industry-researched estimate for technology investment they want to be funded through grant
- Demonstrate commitment to long-term sustainability of the operation
- Be willing to provide metrics before and after in milk production, quality and components, reproduction, and herd health to demonstrate impact.
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