Grants

The Dairy Business Planning Grant provides reimbursement funds to permitted dairy farm businesses located in the Southeast that are seeking the help of experts to plan for the future. The purpose of grants made through this grant will be to support dairy businesses of all kinds in undertaking planning and learning facilitated by outside content area experts. Requests for funds under this RFP should involve one or more of the following:

• Leveraging the experience and judgment of reputable industry experts to evaluate the feasibility of a proposed new enterprise, business/marketing approach, process, or major investment
• Increasing the applicant’s working knowledge of their existing business and/or future enterprise
• Gaining a certification, credit, and/or educational experience that improves the competitiveness of the business or its workforce
• Utilizing legal services to strengthen the business structure or succession plan

Lighting, Fans, Plate Coolers, Milker take-offs, Irrigation Pumps, Grain Dryer

Funds may be used for the purchase, installation and construction of energy efficiency improvements, such as:

• High efficiency heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems (HVAC).
• Insulation.
• Lighting.
• Cooling or refrigeration units.
• Doors and windows.
• Electric, solar or gravity pumps for sprinkler pivots.
• Switching from a diesel to electric irrigation motor.
• Replacement of energy-inefficient equipment.
• Can also be used for energy projects such as solar panels, geothermal, digestors, wind and others.

Services include Grant Assistance, Feasibility Studies, Business Planning, Strategic Planning, and Cooperative Assistance.

• Improvements to existing facilities to reduce the impact of heat stress and seasonal milk production swings 
• Investments in raw milk storage, cooling capacity, and/or transportation efficiency 
• Modernization and improvements to milk harvest 
• Improvements to feed and forage management and storage opportunities 
• Improvements to animal housing and environments of animal housing (scrapers, flush systems, bedding management equipment, gutters, etc.)
• Water, waste, and manure management improvements
  

• Improve animal health, wellbeing, and/or performance
• Enhance labor efficiency
• Reduce energy costs or environmental impact (i.e. carbon-footprint or GHG emissions) by making production activities more efficient
• Increase utilization of the farm’s land base.

Note: Requests must also include justification for why the particular technology is being included.

Projects receiving funding through the AFID Infrastructure Program must be infrastructure development projects that directly support local food production and sustainable agriculture/forestry and demonstrate a broad community benefit.

Established dairy processors or dairy businesses that have conducted and attached a feasibility study detailing their plans for initiating a value-added dairy enterprise are invited to apply for funds to purchase specialty processing equipment. Applicants may also apply for funding for consultant services (for marketing etc.), installation costs, and supplies that support the project.

Grant and matching funds can be used for planning activities or for working capital expenses related to producing and marketing a value-added agricultural product. Examples of planning activities include conducting feasibility studies and developing business plans for processing and marketing the proposed value-added product. Examples of working capital expenses include:

• Processing costs.
• Marketing and advertising expenses.
• Some inventory and salary expenses.

Equipment to reduce soil compaction and disturbance:

• “No till” planters and drills, including those attached to equipment you already own
  
• Guidance systems to control traffic patterns designed to reduce soil disturbance 

Precision fertilizer and pesticide application equipment:

• Equipment that meets the standards set by the Virginia Soil and Water Conservation Board
  

Reimburses dairy farmers for the DMC Tier 1 premium payment. To qualify for the reimbursement, a dairy farm must meet the following criteria:

• Maintain a grade A milk permit issued by the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
• Be actively producing milk in Virginia at the time of application.
• Have an active resource or nutrient management plan as approved by the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) or a local soil and water conservation district OR have a plan that is under review by DCR or a local soil and water conservation district.
• Submit a completed and signed Commonwealth of Virginia Substitute W-9 form.
• Be enrolled in the 2024 USDA-FSA DMC Program at the Tier 1 coverage level AND have paid the annual premium in full.

Producer Grants enable farmers and ranchers to test a sustainable agriculture idea using a field trial, on-farm demonstration, marketing initiative, or other technique.

Can be used for any state or federal conservation cost share program. Any Virginia Producer wishing to implement eligible best management practices to reduce the amount of polluted agricultural runoff entering Virginia waters will be considered by DEQ for Ag BMP Loan Program assistance.