Are you considering an expansion, modernization or other type of transformation project? Figuring out how to make your idea a reality can be overwhelming. Where do you start? Whether you need to calculate the financials or determine the feasibility of the project and understand regulatory permitting, it starts with getting answers to your questions. This page is intended to help you get started on a transformation project and find the support and resources you need to move your project forward.
> Click here for a Dairy Transformation Team Application. Applications are now open on a first-come, first-served basis.
> Click here for Dairy Foods resources from Penn State.
“We are looking at building a dry cow barn. We’re still in the decision making process, and we like the help we have gotten so far through the Transformation Team Grant. I would recommend it to other farmers.” – Glendon Bennetch, Bennetch Holsteins, Berks County
Watch our “Stories of Dairy Innovation” panel to see how three dairy producers advanced their businesses:
For more information, please contact Melissa Anderson at 717-346-0849 or manderson@centerfordairyexcellence.org.
Step 1: Know What You Want
Any dairy transformation project needs to begin with a well-crafted plan. Leveraging the right people to help you build that plan is critical. Our Dairy Decisions Consultant grant can help you make decisions that will shape the future of your farm.
- Dairy Decisions Consultant: The Center for Dairy Excellence can identify a consultant for you to work with in analyzing your options and fine tuning your plan.
Step 2: Know Where To Go
Two things are critical to any transformation project: planning and permitting. Understanding the thresholds defining requirements is also important.
Planning: Any dairy farm should have a written plan on how to manage soil to reduce erosion and how and where you spread your livestock manure. All farms are regulated, but some are at higher levels than others. For managing soil, farms need either a Conservation Plan or an Agriculture Erosion and Sedimentation Plan. For livestock manure, farms need either a Manure Management Plan or Nutrient Management Plan.
Permitting: Some permitting is specific to earth-moving activities, while other permitting is related to animal density or the total number of animals on the farm. To see the thresholds defining what a Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation is, click here. Act 38 Thresholds are defined in this document.
Three resources that may help with these include:
- Your Local Conservation District: Contact information for all 66 of Pennsylvania’s conservation districts can be accessed by clicking here.
- Your Cooperative Extension Office: Extension agents can offer a wealth of expertise. Most agents prefer advance notice for meetings and visits. Visit this website to find your local extension office’s contact information.
- Dairy-related Engineering Consultants: The two organizations in Pennsylvania that have specific expertise in dairy consulting, engineering and permitting are Red Barn Consulting and TeamAg.
- A Certified Nutrient Management Specialist: You’ll find a list of those available in Pennsylvania by clicking here.
For more information on this area, contact the Center for Dairy Excellence at 717-346-0849 or info@centerfordairyexcellence.org.