CDFA Dairy Plus Grant Program in California

The California Department of Food and Agriculture is seeking applications for its Dairy Plus Grant Program. Donor Name: California Department of Food and Agriculture State: California County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 10/18/2024 Size of the Grant: More than $1 million Grant Duration: 2 Years Details: The California Department of Food and Agriculture’s (CDFA) 2024 Dairy Plus Program will award competitive grants to California dairy farms for the implementation of advanced manure management practices that address both methane emissions and nitrogen and salt surplus. This project will provide incentives for dairy producers to adopt advanced climate-smart manure management practices, measure greenhouse gas (GHG) and nutrient benefits associated with implemented practices, provide outreach and technical assistance, and develop climate-smart product markets. Approximately $75 million of the total awarded amount will support the implementation of advanced manure management practices through the new Dairy Plus Program. Funding Information The 2024 Dairy Plus Program will make approximately $58 million available to support the implementation of advanced manure management practices. Project funding awarded at $750 per cow, for a maximum of $1,250,000. Grant Period September 1, 2025 – August 31, 2027. Eligibility Criteria The proposed project must meet the following eligibility requirements for the 2024 Dairy Plus Program: The project site must be in a commercial California dairy operation.  A dairy operation is defined as an entity that operates a dairy herd, which produces milk or cream commercially, and whose bulk milk or bulk cream is received or handled by any distributor, manufacturer, or any nonprofit cooperative association of dairy producers. California farmers, ranchers, and California Native American Tribes are eligible to apply. Producers receiving grant award funds must be located in California with a physical California business address.  Producers receiving grant award funds must be registered with the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) for the specific farm/tract information for all tracts. Only one FSA registered entity/producer name is eligible for an award in eachsolicitation round. If multiple dairy operations under one FSA registered entity/producer name are selected, only one dairy operation will be awarded.  Eligible project types can be categorized as: A new 2024 AMMP project + Dairy Plus Program project. A new 2024 DDRDP project + Dairy Plus Program project. Previously completed AMMP recipient with a new 2024 DDRDP project + Dairy Plus Program project. In progress or previous AMMP recipient proposing a Dairy Plus Program project. In progress or previous DDRDP recipient proposing a Dairy Plus Program project. The recipient and project must adhere to all “Requirements and Limitations,” which include federal requirements specific to the USDA Partnership for Climate-Smart Commodities program. The USDA is an equal-opportunity provider, employer, and lender. For more information, visit CDFA.