This is a competitive grant opportunity with a limited window to apply: October 14 through November 1. Successful farm projects in this opportunity would be included with the Center’s application as a Regional Impact Project to the PA Ag Innovation Fund. Due to the nature of this process, there will not be any funding awarded unless the Center’s application is approved.
> Click here to submit your application online.
About the Dairy Innovation Grants
The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture introduced the Pennsylvania Ag Innovation Fund to support investments that:
- Embrace technology to improve efficiency and data analytics on dairy operations
- Enhance production
- Increase energy efficiency on the farm or in ag processing
Projects could involve technology within the milking parlor, feeding system, activity monitoring, ventilation, and cow cooling aspects of the operation.
The grant allows for Regional Impact Grants to be awarded to projects that address these goals on multiple eligible enterprises. The Center for Dairy Excellence would qualify for the Regional Impact Grant and plans to pursue grant funding to award Dairy Innovation Grants to up to 20 dairy farm operations that are wanting to invest in technology to enhance their operation. If accepted, it would allow the Center to award up to $25,000 in matching funds to up to 20 dairy farms.
Disclaimer: Applications are being accepted now to be included with our proposal to the Pennsylvania 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. If the Center’s application is not successful, the funding will not be available to fund Dairy Innovation Grants.
Requirements:
Applicants must:
- 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)
- 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.
Potential Projects:
Potential projects cannot be started prior to January 1, 2025 and have up to two years to be completed. Projects could include:
- Technology investments to automate ventilation and cooling systems in housing areas (temperature-controlled fans, misters, and curtains)
- Activity monitoring system for improved herd health and reproduction
- Automation in feeding system to monitor ration ingredients, intakes, and/or inventories
- Automation in milking parlor/system to capture data analytics and improve efficiency
How to Apply:
This is a competitive grant opportunity with a limited window to apply: October 14 through November 1. Successful farms would be notified of their acceptance into the pre-application period in November but would not know whether the funding is awarded until January 2025 upon announcement of the Pennsylvania Ag Innovation Grant Awardees.
- Click here to submit your pre-application online by November 1.
- Click here to download a printed pre-application to mail back by November 1.
Frequently Asked Questions:
If you have questions about this grant, contact Melissa Anderson, Programs and Operations Manager, at manderson@centerfordairyexcellence.org or 717-788-0296.