Northeast On-Farm Milk Storage & Handling Grant

The Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center (NE-DBIC) announces the availability of funds through the On-Farm Milk Storage & Handling Grant program, which will provide grants for dairy farmers to access funds that support the purchase of equipment and other related costs that will improve milk storage, handling, and energy efficiencies. The focus of this grant is on the purchase of specialized equipment. Applicants may select from a pre-approved list of eligible equipment. Projects funded by this grant will streamline milk pick up, create efficiencies around milk storage, and improve handling for both farmers and their processors. Successful applications will show reduced costs to the farmer and will improve efficiencies around the movement of milk, reduce frequency of milk pick up, and/or otherwise meet processors' needs for improved storage and handling.

Applicants eligible for these funds are dairy farmers (producers) that

1. Are headquartered or based in the Northeast; and

2. Produce milk within the Northeast; and

3. Are licensed dairy operations in compliance with all required state and/federal standards.

All proposals must show matching funds which represent at least 25% of the grant request to go toward the grant project. For instance, for a grant request of $20,000, the applicant must demonstrate at least $5,000 in match. Matching funds may be contributed by the applicant or by another organization and must take place during the grant period. The 25% required match may be any combination of cash and in-kind funds in any expense category. 

While the following are not required to apply, if applicant is awarded, they will need to provide:

• Certificate of Insurance listing the VAAFM as an additional insured

• Current IRS Form W-9

• Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number acquired via SAM.gov. Applicants who do not already have a UEI number are strongly encouraged to start this process during the application period to ensure a timely start to their grant, if awarded. There are currently significant delays.

All applications must be submitted via the WebGrants system at agriculturegrants.vermont.gov. No paper applications will be accepted.

The Request for Proposals details the information that will be required during the online application.

• Request for Proposals