$750,000 for Dairy Farms to Boost Long-Term Success

Dairy Farm Improvement & Modernization Grant Opens to Northeast Farmers

October 14, 2025 | Montpelier, VT - Dairy farmers across the Northeast can now apply for the Dairy Farm Improvement & Modernization Grant through the Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center (NE-DBIC). With a total of $750,000 in funding, this grant will support a wide range of projects aimed at improving farm viability, milk quality, worker conditions, economic sustainability, and climate resilience.

Grants will range from $15,000 to $100,000 with a 25% in-kind and/or cash match.

This grant will fund projects that help dairy farmers improve their operations for long-term success. Projects that take a systems-level approach and that show collaboration with experts or technical service providers will be most competitive. Projects that only replace old equipment without broader improvements to farm systems are not eligible.

Projects may focus on:

• Feed and nutrition management
• Animal health and comfort
• Milking systems
• Labor efficiency
• Animal management
• New and young farmer engagement
• Farm transition
• Cooperative milk production
• Or other areas that benefit dairy operations

Dairy farmers across the Northeast are eligible to apply. Producer associations and technical assistance providers applying on behalf of groups of farmers are also eligible, as are milk buyers/processors focusing on on-farm milk production or transfer.

Grants are available to applicants in all 11 Northeast states served by NE-DBIC : Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont.

Applications are open from October 14 to December 4, 2025 at 2pm. Access the full request for applications here: https://nedairyinnovation.com/grants/farm-improvement-modernization/

The NE-DBIC's investment and project strategy promotes innovation and resiliency for regional production of dairy products across an 11-state Northeast region. Hosted by the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets, the NE-DBIC is funded through the USDA-AMS.

For more information on NE-DBIC, visit: https://nedairyinnovation.com/

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Katie Spring (she/her) NE-DBIC Communications Manager | Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center | 802-522-3186

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