The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) Dairy Digester Research and Development Program (DDRDP) awards competitive grants to California dairy operations and digester developers. The primary mission of this program is to facilitate the implementation of dairy digesters that lead to long-term methane emission reductions on California dairies while simultaneously minimizing or mitigating adverse environmental impacts. The program provides financial assistance for the installation of these dairy digesters, directly contributing to reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
The target beneficiaries of the DDRDP include California dairy farmers, ranchers, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Native American tribal organizations (not Federally recognized), individuals, for-profit organizations (excluding small businesses), and small businesses. The overarching impact goal is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by converting methane into usable energy. The program prioritizes projects that utilize methane for energy production or transportation fuel, such as renewable natural gas (RNG), and specifically excludes projects that propose flaring as the sole end-use for biogas.
The program focuses on supporting dairy digester projects that result in permanent, annual, and measurable GHG emission reductions. Projects must convert biomethane to renewable electricity or fuel for on-site use, injection into existing pipelines, or utilization at a neighboring facility. A key requirement is that at least 80% dry weight of the feedstock for anaerobic digestion must be manure from dairy livestock, with other substrates like dairy processing wastes or agricultural waste allowed for up to 20% dry weight.
Expected outcomes include significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions from California dairies. Grant recipients are required to submit quarterly progress reports to CDFA detailing the project's advancement. Measurable results will be reported through annual GHG emissions reduction data provided to CDFA for five years after the project term ends or the digester becomes operational. The total program funding is $8,000,000.00, with an award ceiling of $1,600,000.00 per grant, signifying a substantial investment towards achieving these environmental goals. The grant period is set from June 1, 2025, to November 30, 2027.
