Dairy Farm Improvement & Modernization Grant (Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center)

Dairy Farm Improvement & Modernization Grant (Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center) is sponsored by Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center (part of USDA AMS). This program provides grants for dairy farmers to fund a wide range of projects that prioritize long-term farm viability, climate and economic resilience. This could include investments in bottling systems and other equipment to modernize the dairy farm.

Dairy Farm Improvement & Modernization Grant - Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center Dairy Farm Improvement & Modernization Grant Applications for this grant are currently closed. This grant will fund projects that help dairy farmers improve their operations for long-term success.

Eligible projects may modernize outdated systems or introduce innovative solutions to improve farm viability, reduce climate impacts, improve milk quality or value, improve worker conditions, and strengthen the farm’s ability to respond to challenges.

Competitive projects will take a strategic, systems-level approach, involve expert guidance such as farm planners or technical assistance providers, and may benefit individual farms or groups of farms. Projects that only replace old equipment without broader improvements to farm systems are not eligible.

Eligible applicants include dairy farmers, producer associations or technical service providers applying on behalf of groups of farmers, and milk buyers focusing on on-farm milk production or transfer. Grants are available to applicants in all Northeast states: Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont.

Please note that this year, this program will have a two-stage application. Awards will range from $15,000 – $100,000 with a 25% in-kind and/or cash match contribution required. Total funds available: $1,000,000 Grants are available to applicants in all 11 Northeast states served by NE-DBIC: Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont.

Applicants eligible for these funds are one or more of the following: Are headquartered or based in the Northeast; Produce milk within the Northeast; Are licensed dairy operations in compliance with all required state and/federal standards; Are not primarily selling raw fluid milk for direct human consumption Producer associations that represent, support, or promote dairy products originating from the Northeast.

For the purposes of this grant, a producer association group, also known as a trade association, industry trade group, business association, sector association, or industry body, is an organization founded and funded by businesses that operate in a specific industry.

Producer associations are eligible if: The project will primarily benefit dairy farmers in the Northeast; At least two farmer partners are identified in the application and provide Letters of Commitment; The majority of partner farms meet the eligibility requirements outlined in Bullet 1 (“Dairy farmers”); The association does not receive the majority of their funds from producer check-off dollars.

Technical assistance providers (e.g., university extension or viability organizations) are eligible to apply if: The project will primarily benefit dairy farmers in the Northeast; and At least two farmer partners are identified in the application and provide Letters of Commitment; The majority of partner farms meet the eligibility requirements outlined in Bullet 1 (“Dairy farmers”).

University applicants must comply with Attachment C and should check in with their grants and contracts administration office ahead of applying to ensure their institution will agree to these terms.

Milk buyers/processors are eligible to apply if: The project directly benefits farmers by improving milk production and/or transfer; At least one farmer partner is identified, listed as a partner in the application, and provides a Letter of Commitment; The majority of partner farms meet the eligibility requirements outlined in Bullet 1 (“Dairy Farmers”); The milk buyer/processor is located in the Northeast The grant-funded items or activities (e.g., tracking collars, chart recorders, workshops) are for the use and benefit of farms.

Projects that primarily result in processor-owned infrastructure or equipment (e.g., milk transport tanks) are not eligible. Review the Request for Pre-Applications (RFA) once it is available. This will contain the complete details on eligible projects/applicants and the full application process.

The RFA is expected to be released in October 2026. Register in WebGrants (may take up to two business days). Complete your application in WebGrants, once it opens, using our Application Guide .

The application period is expected to be October – December 2026. Applicants who do not already have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) through SAM. gov are strongly encouraged to start this process during the application period to ensure a timely start to their grant, if awarded.

Have a Question about this Grant? You may refer to the 2025 Farm Improvement & Modernization Request for Applications (RFA) , but please note changes may be made to this program for 2026. Have a question?

Contact: Beth Falk: beth. falk@vermont. gov |(802) 522-4562 Ali Boochever: Ali.

Boochever@vermont. gov | (802) 261-5740