Dairy producers across the Northeastern United States can now apply for funding through the Dairy Farm Improvement & Modernization Grant, offered by the Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center (NE-DBIC).
The program provides $750,000 in total funding to help farms strengthen long-term viability, improve milk quality, support worker well-being, and build climate resilience. Individual grants will range from $15,000 to $100,000. Applicants must provide a 25% cash or in-kind match.
According to NE-DBIC, the most competitive projects will take a systems-level approach and involve collaboration with experts or technical service providers. Projects that simply replace aging equipment without broader operational benefits will not be eligible.
Project Focus Areas
Funding may support a wide range of initiatives, including:
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Feed and nutrition management
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Animal health and comfort
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Milking systems and herd management
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Labor efficiency and training
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Farm transition planning
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New and young farmer engagement
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Cooperative milk production
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Other improvements that enhance overall farm performance
Eligibility
The grant is open to dairy farmers throughout the 11 states served by NE-DBIC: Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont.
Producer associations and technical assistance providers may also apply on behalf of groups of farmers. In addition, milk buyers and processors involved in on-farm milk production or transfer are eligible to participate.
Application Timeline
Applications will be accepted from October 14 to December 4, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. Complete program details and application materials are available on the NE-DBIC website.
About the Program
The Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center is hosted by the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Marketsand funded through the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS). Its mission is to promote innovation, modernization, and resilience in dairy operations across the region.
