New York Farms Win Dairy Modernization Grants

By Blake Jackson

New York Governor Kathy Hochul has announced nearly $21.6 million in Dairy Modernization Grants for 103 dairy farms statewide. The funding was introduced in the 2024 State of the State address and aligns with the official start of Dairy Month in June.

“New York's dairy industry is the backbone of our agricultural economy, supporting thousands of jobs across our rural communities,” said Governor Hochul. “With this $26 million investment through the Dairy Modernization Grant Program, we're giving hardworking dairy farmers and cooperatives the tools they need to grow, innovate and lead in a changing market. This is how we honor our agricultural legacy — by making sure it has a strong and sustainable future.”

These grants aim to help dairy farms modernize their equipment, expand milk storage, and improve operations to handle severe weather events and market demands more effectively.

One of the highlighted recipients is Glory Days Farm in Lowville, which will install a 3,000-gallon bulk tank, new compressors, a washer, and a permanent generator. These updates will cut hauling costs, protect milk quality, and provide resilience during power outages.

Funding was distributed across various regions:

• Capital Region: $1.8 million to 9 farms
• Central NY: $3.9 million to 18 farms
• Finger Lakes: $4.3 million to 20 farms
• North Country: $3.3 million to 15 farms
• Western NY: $2.7 million to 13 farms

Other regions also received targeted support

The Dairy Modernization Grant Program is part of a larger effort to strengthen New York’s dairy sector. Additional funding is planned for 2026, including climate-resilient farming and sustainability initiatives.

The program also supports family-run and generational farms, which make up most of New York’s nearly 3,000 dairy operations producing over 16 billion pounds of milk annually.

State officials and farm leaders praised the investment, highlighting its role in improving food safety, energy efficiency, and future farm viability in New York’s top agricultural industry.

Photo Credit: gettyimages-digitalvision