The California Department of Food and Agriculture's (CDFA) 2024 Dairy Plus Program is a competitive grant initiative designed to incentivize California dairy farms to adopt advanced manure management practices. This program directly addresses the critical environmental challenges of methane emissions and nitrogen and salt surplus within the dairy industry. The CDFA's mission, as evident through this program, aligns with fostering sustainable agricultural practices that mitigate climate change impacts and promote environmental stewardship. The program seeks to provide financial assistance to dairy producers for implementing climate-smart solutions.
The primary target beneficiaries of this grant program are commercial California dairy operations, including California farmers, ranchers, and California Native American Tribes. The program aims to support these entities in transitioning to more sustainable manure management practices. The impact goals are multi-faceted: to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, particularly methane, and to manage nutrient surplus effectively. By achieving these goals, the program contributes to broader environmental health and sustainability within the agricultural sector.
The program prioritizes the implementation of advanced manure management practices. This includes supporting new 2024 Advanced Manure Management Program (AMMP) projects combined with Dairy Plus Program projects, new 2024 Dairy Digester Research and Development Program (DDRDP) projects with Dairy Plus Program projects, and Dairy Plus Program projects for both in-progress or previous AMMP and DDRDP recipients. This focus ensures that a wide range of dairy operations, regardless of their current stage of adopting climate-smart practices, can participate and benefit.
Expected outcomes of the Dairy Plus Program include a measurable reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from California dairy farms and improved nutrient management. The program anticipates providing incentives for dairy producers to adopt advanced climate-smart manure management practices, measuring the GHG and nutrient benefits associated with implemented practices, offering outreach and technical assistance, and developing climate-smart product markets. Ultimately, the program aims to create a more environmentally resilient and sustainable dairy industry in California, aligning with the state's strategic priorities for climate action and agricultural innovation.
