Funding Opportunities Available to Dairy Farmers and Service Providers Through Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center

Published on August 26, 2022 in dairy farmers, grants, MDAR

Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center (NE-DBIC) recently announced several funding opportunities available to dairy farmers and service providers. NE-DBIC serves an eleven-state region, which includes Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont.

All opportunities are currently accepting applications/proposals:

On-Farm Milk Storage & Handling Grant

This grant program will provide funds for dairy farmers to access funds that support the purchase of equipment and other related costs that will improve milk storage, handling, and energy efficiencies. The focus of this grant is on the purchase of specialized equipment. Applicants will be able to select from a pre-approved list of eligible equipment which includes milk storage tanks, milk pipeline, glycol chillers, milk loading systems, reclaim systems for water, cooling equipment, plate coolers/heat exchangers, and equipment installation costs.

Grant range: $15,000 – $50,000, with 25% match encouraged; match waivers available. Deadline: October 6, 2022, learn more and apply here.

Dairy Farm Production Education Service Provider Contracts

Seeking multiple contractors to develop, organize, and implement educational opportunities for Northeast dairy farmers. Contractors will develop events, webinars, educational series, and/or conferences to increase farmer-focused production and business viability education.

Multiple contracts will be awarded, each up to $35,000. Deadline: September 16, 2022, learn more and submit proposals here.

Dairy Farm Cohort Technical Assistance Contracts

Seeking multiple contractors across the Northeast region to offer cohort-based technical assistance for dairy farmers in one or more of the areas: increased grazing quality or quantity, home-grown forage enhancement, alternative herd management, innovative staffing and business management, and marketing and education of dairy production practices. Contractors will have the flexibility to work with dairy farmers of any scale, type of dairy animal, certification status, and current condition of the farm. Each farmer will receive a mixture of one-on-one and group business and technical assistance over 18-22 months. Projects through this contract will join eight existing cohort projects across the Northeast from previous rounds of this funding opportunity.

Multiple contracts will be awarded, each up to $150,000. Deadline: September 16, questions due September 2, 2022. Learn more and submit proposals here.

Hiring Three Positions

NE-DBIC is currently hiring for three full time, limited service positions that will support our work in providing grants and contracts to dairy farmers, processors, and technical assistance providers located across the 11 states of the northeast. The NE-DBIC is funded by the USDA with nearly $40 million and has awarded more than $7 million since January 2021. Candidates have the ability to work mostly remote but must be within reasonable distance of Montpelier for as needed in-person meetings. Applications close August 31.