The NYS Dairy Modernization Grant, managed by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets and the Farm and Food Growth Fund, provides funding to enhance dairy supply chain efficiency through improvements in on-farm milk storage and transfer technologies. With awards between $50,000 and $250,000, this program aims to support dairy producers and cooperatives across New York by investing in infrastructure that reduces raw milk dumping, increases storage capacity, improves cooling and milk transfer systems, and boosts overall farm resilience to supply chain challenges.

Eligible applicants include New York-based dairy producers and agricultural marketing cooperatives that produce milk and comply with state and federal licensing standards. Funding can be applied to capital projects such as milk storage tanks, milk pipelines, cooling technologies, and installation services. However, personnel costs, unrelated construction, travel, and pre-grant period expenses are ineligible. The program has no match requirement, and funded projects must be completed within 24 months of grant agreement execution.

Timeline:

Applications Open: November 1, 2024
Deadline: February 14, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. ET
Office Hours: Virtual sessions on November 13, December 11, and January 15
Award Notification: Late spring/early summer 2025
Completion Deadline: May 2027
For more information and application submission, visit the program portal at https://ffgf.smapply.us/res/p/Home-Page.