The Dairy Innovation Grants, facilitated by the Center for Dairy Excellence, offer up to $25,000 in matching funds to 20 dairy farm operations in Pennsylvania that are looking to invest in new technology to enhance efficiency, production, and sustainability. This grant is part of the Center’s application to the Pennsylvania Ag Innovation Fund, and funding depends on the success of the Center’s overall application. If awarded, farms will have two years to complete their technology projects, which cannot start before January 1, 2025.

Eligible farms must:

Have a conservation plan, manure management plan, and a good understanding of their financials.
Participate in National FARM or a similar animal care program.
Maintain at least 35 dairy cows or 70 lactating goats with farm sales over $2,000 per year.
Provide a letter of support for inclusion in the larger Center for Dairy Excellence application.
Demonstrate a commitment to long-term sustainability and be willing to provide pre- and post-project metrics on milk production, quality, herd health, and other farm data.
Potential project types include:

Automating ventilation and cooling systems (fans, misters, temperature control).
Monitoring herd health and reproduction through activity monitoring systems.
Automating feeding systems to track ingredient ratios and inventories.
Improving data collection and analytics in milking systems for enhanced efficiency.
Applications are due between October 14 and November 1, 2024. Farms will be notified in November if they are included in the pre-application phase, but the final grant awards will not be confirmed until January 2025. To apply, farmers must submit a pre-application either online or by mail.

For further inquiries, applicants can contact Melissa Anderson at manderson@centerfordairyexcellence.org or 717-788-0296.