The Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center, hosted by the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets, has announced the Organic On-Farm Milk Storage & Handling Grant.
This grant opportunity closes Thursday, Feb. 9.
In a continuing response to the ongoing organic dairy crisis brought to the forefront when dozens of farmers across the Northeast lost milk contracts in 2021, and in response to the high demand for milk storage and handling upgrades in previous funding rounds, the center is offering a special grant round for organic dairy producers, according to a news release from the center.
This grant will fund the purchase of specialized equipment to help streamline milk pickup, increase efficiencies around milk storage, and improve handling for both farmers and their processors. Open to all organic dairy farmers, those who lost contracts will be prioritized to help them successfully transition to new buyers.
As a result of the organic dairy crisis, the center was awarded an additional $19 million by the USDA to increase resiliency in the organic supply chain. While many farms across the region have new contracts with companies including Organic Valley and Stonyfield, some farms have made the hard decision to sell cows and shut down their farm. For those transitioning to new buyers, this funding opportunity offers the ability to upgrade storage and milk handling to meet buyer requirements.
Awards will range from $10,000 to $50,000 with a 25 percent cash/in-kind match encouraged. Total funds available equal $450,000. This grant is open to applicants in 11 Northeast states, including Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Vermont.
For more information, visit agriculture.vermont.gov/dbic.
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