Interested In Applying? Start Gathering Info Now!
Dairy producers that are interested in applying for the new Dairy Plus+ Program grant dollars should watch for CDFA announcements in their trade association, processor newsletters and other communications this month. CDFA will offer millions of additional dollars of “climate smart” grants to California producers through USDA funding secured by its partnership with the California Dairy Research Foundation and the CA dairy industry. This spring will be the first round of this funding opportunity.
The new grant program will provide financial assistance to adopt advanced manure management practices that reduce both methane emissions and nitrogen surplus. Practices eligible in the year’s solicitation will include:
- Vermifiltration
- Weeping walls (with 3 cells or more)
- Advanced solids separation with flocculation and/or bead filters
- Subsurface drip irrigation/fertigation (plus one of the practices above)
- Aerated composting (plus one of the practices above)
All producers are eligible to apply for Dairy Plus+ Program dollars, including producers that have previously received DDRDP or AMMP funds in the past. Producers should refer to the CDFA solicitation for cost-share funding eligibility amounts and specific program details.
As with the other CDFA incentive funding programs, the Dairy Plus+ Program awardees are selected on a competitive basis. The application window is short — applications are due 60 days post solicitation announcement. Producers and their grant application teams are encouraged to start gathering info and completing their applications now to develop competitive grant packages.
More information, tools and resources are available on the CDFA, CDRF and CDQAP webpages.