New York State Dairy Modernization Grant Program, Round 2

New York State Dairy Modernization Grant Program, Round 2 is sponsored by New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets / Farm and Food Growth Fund. This program provides $8. 5 million to dairy farmers and cooperatives in Round 2.

Funding ranges from $50,000 to $250,000 for projects that expand on-farm milk storage capacity, improve efficiencies, and invest in milk transfer systems and cooling technologies.

Dairy-Modernization | Ffgf NYS Dairy Modernization Grant Si necesita alguna de esta información en español, comuníquese con Linnette Díaz: ldiaz@ffgrowthfund. org Round 1 of the NYS Dairy Modernization Grant Program was awarded June 2, 2025: Governor Hochul Announces $21.

6 Million Awarded to More Than 100 Farms to Support New York's Dairy Industry ​ Support is generally available during business hours: Monday - Friday (9:00 a. m. - 5:00 p.

m. ET.) Assistance may not be available shortly before deadlines.

The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets (AGM) and the Farm and Food Growth Fund (FFGF) are administrating the Dairy Modernization Grant program, which will provide grants for on-farm milk storage and transfer technologies and infrastructure which will improve dairy supply chain efficiency and avoid raw milk dumping related to emergency events.

Funds provided by this grant to farms and agricultural marketing cooperatives are intended be used for the services and expenses to expand on-farm milk storage capacity, improve efficiencies, invest in milk transfer systems, cooling technologies, or other purposes deemed necessary to further opportunities for dairy farmers to transport or store their products. Grants are available to applicants throughout New York State.

Application period opens: August 19, 2026 Application deadline: October 28, 2026, 5:00 p. m. ET No late submissions will be accepted.

Incomplete submissions will not be considered. Grants are available to applicants throughout New York State. This is a New York State funded program and is not affected by any federal actions.

Priorities and Objectives Funding is available for capital projects related to the following activities: Expansion of on-farm milk storage capacity Efficiency improvements directly related to milk storage or transportation Other purposes deemed necessary to further opportunities for dairy farmers to transport or store their products. ​ Project approaches must address at least two of the following funding priority areas.

Projects that address additional priority areas will be awarded additional points.

Project will expand, improve or install on farm storage capacity, milk transfer systems, and/or cooling technologies Project will increase operational efficiencies on farm(s) Project will improve food safety / quality measures Project will provide cost-savings to the farm(s) Project will decrease raw milk dumping Project increases farm’s resilience to changing market conditions, uncertain environmental conditions, and/or supply chain interruptions Estimated Funding Timeline RFP Opened: August 19, 2026 Applications closed: October 28, 2026 5:00 p.

m. ET Application Website: https://ffgf. smapply.

us/res/p/Home-Page Virtual Open Office Hours: September 9, 2026 12:00pm. Register Announcements: expected 2027 Projects Completed: projects must be completed within 24 months of the grant agreement No late submissions will be accepted. Incomplete submissions will not be considered.

At least $8. 5 million will be available across eligible applicants. Maximum award is $250,000.

Applicants may not request more than this per project. Minimum award is $50,000. Applicants must request at least this much per project.

There will be no Match Requirement. Projects must be completed within 24 months of execution of the grant agreement. Applicants eligible for these funds are existing dairy farmers (producers) and cooperatives that: are headquartered or based in New York State; and produce milk within New York State; and are licensed dairy operations in compliance with all required state and/federal standards.

did not receive funding from the NYS Dairy Modernization Program Round 1 Eligible applicants include: Agricultural Marketing Cooperatives For the purposes of this grant program, a cooperative means an association or federation or cooperative of milk producers organized under the laws of New York State or registered as a foreign business corporation with the New York State Department of State, having agreements with their producer members to market, bargain for or sell the milk of such producers, and is actually performing one or more of these services in the marketing of milk produced by their members, through the cooperative or through a federation of milk cooperatives in which the cooperative has membership.

Dairy Producers, including dairy farmers and dairy farmer-processors For the purposes of this grant program, a producer means any person in the State of New York who is engaged in the production of milk in a quantity which exceeds family and on-farm use or who causes milk to be produced for any market in this or any other state.

Funding is available for capital projects related to the following activities: Equipment, including but not limited to: Milk storage tanks, including bulk tanks and milk silos Milk tankers for transport Farm milk loading systems, including: Direct load systems, flow stream systems (e.g., Piper System) for improved the rate at which milk is loaded at the farm by installing systems that are equipped with high-speed pumps, In-line sampling systems for direct loading and in-line weight measuring systems Cleaning upgrades/automated cleaning Purchase or upgrade of cooling equipment Plate coolers and heat exchangers Equipment installation services (e.g., plumbing needed for equipment or hooking up electrical for the equipment purchased) Supplies (any purchases that cost less than $5,000 per unit) serving as critical components to the overall project / system E.g., hot water heater (tank style or on-demand), water filtration, milk pipeline, milk pump, clean-in-place system, sinks Other: shipping costs, rental of general use equipment (not for construction) Any construction, renovation, preparation, and/or rehabilitation required for the installation or replacement of equipment Other related costs, such as: Eligible project costs relating to building construction, building renovation, and/or equipment that exceed $5,000 must be supported by a current quote or estimate.

Ineligible expenses include, but are not limited to: Projects not primarily located within New York State Personnel and fringe expenses Construction that is unrelated to the installation of new equipment Supplies that are not critical components to the overall project / system Travel expenses, including that pertaining to equipment acquisition Training expenses, including for the use of new equipment or otherwise Installations for overall farm production processes that are not specific to milk storage and handling Updates to barn and infrastructure related to ineligible activities such as feeding, milking, or other activities not related to the transfer, cooling, and storage of milk.

Milking equipment such as milk robots, stalls, headlocks, cabinets, and other items in the milking parlor. Expenses paid by the applicant before the start of the grant period Any expenses for projects that solely support the production and/or sales of raw fluid milk meant for human consumption without pasteurization ​ ​​ Interested in Applying?

Take these steps: Read the full RFP to learn about the application process and what you will be required to submit with your application.

Gather documentation listed in the RFP to be submitted with your application including costs, letters of support, letters of commitment, Certificate of Insurance, Form W-9, Certificate of Status, most recent passing farm inspection documentation, and/or AGM Part 2 Processing Permits, and/or BTU or plant number(s), and any quotes or estimates as needed. Visit https://ffgf. smapply.

us/res/p/Home-Page If you do not already have an account with FFGF, set up an account by using the Register button in the top right-hand corner of the page. Select the Dairy Modernization Grant Program Round 2 and proceed to begin your application. You are not required to complete the application process in a single sitting.

The form enables you to save your progress and resume at a later time or date from where you left off. It's important to note that none of your saved responses are final until you officially submit your application, allowing you to make changes or edits as needed.

Dairy Modernization Grant Round 2 RFP Video Overview of Dairy Modernization Grant Round 2 Opportunity - use Passcode: 54ypJi*d How to Guide for Applying How to Create an Account on Survey Monkey Step by Step Video: How to Complete the Application Frequently Asked Questions ​ For questions, please email us at dairymodernization@ffgrowthfund. org Support is generally available during business hours: Monday - Friday, 9:00 a. m.

- 5:00 p. m. ET.

Assistance may not be available shortly before deadlines.