The On-Farm Milk Storage & Handling Grant from the Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center (NE-DBIC) offers funding to dairy farmers in the 11 Northeast states to improve milk storage, handling, and energy efficiency. The program supports the purchase and installation of specific equipment, including milk storage tanks, pipelines, glycol chillers, cooling systems, and plate coolers. Grants range from $15,000 to $50,000 and require a 25% match commitment, with match waivers available. Total funding for the program is $1.5 million.
This grant program prioritizes projects that streamline milk handling, enhance food safety, improve milk quality, and proactively plan for future storage needs. While all eligible farmers in the Northeast can apply, New York State applicants with project costs above $50,000 are encouraged to consider the NYS Dairy Modernization Grant, which offers funding up to $250,000.
The application period is open until December 5, 2024, at 2 p.m. ET. Interested applicants should review the full Request for Applications, register in WebGrants (allowing up to two business days for registration), and complete their applications in WebGrants. Farmers are encouraged to secure a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) through SAM.gov early in the application process. For further questions, contact Beth Falk.
