More information about this year’s solicitation is available on the CDFA Dairy PLUS and CDRF websites. Both CDFA and CDQAP will be hosting informational webinars in August.
Producers and industry interested in learning more about this year’s program and tips for application prep are encouraged to attend.
CDFA Hosted Webinars:
Wednesday, August 7 from 1pm – 4pm: Register
Tuesday, August 13 from 9am – 12pm: Register
CDQAP Hosted Webinar:
Thursday, August 29 from 3pm-5pm: Register
Tips for a Competitive Dairy PLUS Application
On July 23, CDFA opened the request for applications for the livestock manure methane reduction programs: the Dairy Digester Research and Development Program (DDRDP), Alternative Manure Management Program (AMMP), and Dairy PLUS Program (DPP). The DPP is funded by a USDA Partnerships for Climate Smart Commodities grant that CDFA administers collaboratively with the California Dairy Research Foundation. The 90-day application window will end on October 18, 2024. As the name Dairy PLUS suggests, there is a need to reduce carbon emissions PLUS improve nitrogen management with the proposed practice.
It’s important to read the entire Request for Applications document BEFORE you begin. For Dairy PLUS, pay special attention to the Requirements and Limitations section. These funds are subject to federal terms and conditions. Much was learned during the first cycle of awards. There’s a NRCS process equivalent to an environmental review that needs to be completed. Dairy PLUS maps and project designs need to be as complete as possible. The environmental review is specific to the area of the dairy receiving federal funds. It is critical that applications provide information on what portions of the project are being funded with federal dollars vs. other parts that will be funded by CDFA other source dollars. The budget for the Dairy PLUS project also needs to be as complete as possible, both for the grant amount received and for matching funds to be added to the overall project. There is not sufficient time in the contracting process to allow much modification to projects.
Here’s a few things you should be sure to include in your application:
☐ Define the location of the project funded by Dairy PLUS or with other fund sources.
☐ Draw maps to represent needed infrastructure location and design.
☐ Be specific about costs (both reimbursed and matching funds) and funding sources associated with pipelines, distribution pumps, other infrastructure, etc. needed to complete project.
☐ Ensure identified costs are allowable. Contractor fees are limited to labor to install the project.
☐ Review the unallowable costs section of the solicitation.
☐ Start early and attend webinars if you have questions (dates and times included on Page 1).
☐ Subscribe to the email updates.
☐ Describe the current and future manure management system and the details associated with Operation and Maintenance of the new system. If a practice changes manure location, quantity or form be sure to describe fate and form of both solid and liquid materials.
☐ Estimate change in nitrogen and salt management. (How will land application of nitrogen change when the Dairy PLUS practice is implemented?)
☐ Provide a detailed budget (if infrastructure is needed for the practice to work, it needs to be in the budget funded through Dairy PLUS or some other funding source). Start early to get all your paperwork completed. A few extra documents are required as part of Dairy PLUS. You don’t want to wait to start your application. Any blank or incomplete answers take away points from your application or can even get you disqualified. You need every point possible to be competitive.