Boost your dairy farm with modernization grants

By Blake Jackson

The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets has reminded dairy farmers and cooperatives to apply for the Dairy Modernization Grant Program, which offers over $21 million in funding. The program is designed to help New York's dairy farmers and agricultural marketing cooperatives enhance on-farm milk storage capacity and improve milk transportation and storage systems. Applications for the grant opened on November 1, 2024, and will be accepted until 3 p.m. on February 14, 2025.

Introduced by Governor Hochul in her 2024 State of the State address, the Dairy Modernization Grant Program is part of a broader effort to support New York's dairy industry and increase supply chain efficiency. The grants, which range from $50,000 to $250,000, aim to help dairy farms invest in critical infrastructure and technology to improve storage solutions, thereby reducing the need to dump raw milk during emergencies.

The program is administered by the Farm and Food Growth Fund, which will award funding for projects that expand milk storage, enhance efficiencies, and invest in milk transfer systems and cooling technologies. Eligible projects include purchasing and installing milk storage tanks, milk transport tankers, milk pipelines, upgraded glycol chillers, and farm milk loading systems. Applicants can find detailed information on project eligibility and the application process on the official website, ffgrowthfund.org/dairymodernization. A Frequently Asked Questions document is also available to assist potential applicants.

This initiative is part of Governor Hochul’s larger commitment to supporting the dairy industry in New York, including additional funds in the FY25 Enacted Budget for dairy manufacturing facility projects and promotional efforts aimed at educating consumers about New York dairy products. Additionally, the state has allocated $81.8 million through the Environmental Protection Fund to support agricultural sustainability programs, including the Climate Resilient Farming grant program, which helps farmers adopt environmentally sustainable practices and address climate change.

Looking ahead, Governor Hochul’s 2025 State of the State proposal includes further investments in climate-resilient practices for dairy farms, ensuring the long-term sustainability of New York’s dairy sector.

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