Dairy farms across the Northeast are set to benefit from new grants aimed at enhancing milk storage and handling, thanks to funding awarded by the Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center (NE-DBIC). The latest round of grants will help farms streamline milk collection, improve efficiency, and elevate product quality through investments in advanced equipment such as bulk tanks, high-speed pumps, and sanitation systems.
In a highly competitive grant cycle, 57 dairy farms applied for a total of $2,260,833 in funding. After a rigorous selection process, 38 dairy businesses spanning eight states secured grants totaling $1,486,046. Individual awards range from $15,000 to $50,000, enabling dairy farmers to modernize infrastructure and adopt cutting-edge milk handling solutions.
NE-DBIC, established through the 2018 Farm Bill and funded by the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (USDA-AMS), continues to provide financial support to strengthen the dairy sector. While an extension of the 2018 Farm Bill ensures grant funding through 2027, the future availability of this particular program will depend on forthcoming legislative decisions and funding allocations.
Dairy Farms Awarded Grants
Connecticut
- Roaring Brook Farm – $50,000 for a 2,700-gallon bulk tank and energy-efficient cooling system.
- University of Connecticut – $50,000 for a 2,000-gallon bulk tank.
Maine
- Christopher F. Lewis – $40,000 for a 2,000-gallon bulk tank.
- Seal Cove Farm – $15,000 for a 285-gallon bulk storage tank and chart recorder for a 125-goat dairy.
- Triple D Acres – $34,649 for upgrades to the tank washer, vacuum pump, and milk pre-cooler.
Maryland
- My Lady’s Manor Farm – $50,000 for an 8,000-gallon bulk tank.
- Shafdon Farms – $50,000 to double milk storage capacity with a new 8,000-gallon bulk tank.
Massachusetts
- Barstow’s Longview Farm – $32,897 for a compact chiller and plate heat exchanger.
- Fletcher Farm – $15,000 for upgraded milk handling equipment, including a larger receiver jar, new sinks, pumps, and pulsator.
New Hampshire
- Blue Mt. Dairy – $32,764 for a Fre-Heater and new cooling compressors.
- LeClair Acres Farm – $42,826 for a new plate cooler, condensing units, and computerized chart recorder.
New York
- Argus Acres – $37,323 for a new plate cooler and water treatment system.
- Fullerton Dairy – $50,000 for a variable-speed chiller system.
- Sheland Farms – $50,000 for an automated milk load-out system.
- Spruce Haven Farm – $50,000 to upgrade from two 10,000-gallon bulk tanks to a 4-bay direct load system.
Pennsylvania
- Breezy Farms – $30,485 for a 4,000-gallon bulk tank and variable-speed milk pump.
- Campbell Run Farms – $21,500 for a 1,500-gallon bulk storage tank.
- Cozy Valley Farm – $50,000 for two condenser units, a plate cooler, and a vacuum pump.
- Good Breeze Farm – $50,000 for a 2,700-gallon bulk storage tank.
- Four Seasons Farm – $26,040 for a 2,000-gallon bulk tank and 75 feet of milk transfer pipeline.
- Joseph E. Blank, Jr. – $50,000 for a 1,500-gallon bulk tank, condenser, and plate cooler.
- Lost Hollow Farm – $37,401 for milk pipeline upgrades, a new receiver group, variable-speed pumps, and a clean-in-place system.
- Neenan Farms – $22,329 for milk handling infrastructure improvements, including a receiver, compressor, plate cooler, and water heater.
- Wade Benedict Farm – $50,000 for a 6,000-gallon bulk storage tank.
Vermont
- Ayers Brook Goat Dairy – $15,000 for a new 120-gallon hot water supply system.
- Ballard Acres – $50,000 for a 6,700-gallon bulk tank, condensing units, and plate heat exchanger.
- Daona Farm – $50,000 for a high-speed milk pump.
- Deer Flats Farm – $50,000 for a 5,000-gallon bulk tank.
- Doton Farm – $50,000 for a new bulk tank, condenser, compressors, Fre-Heater, and wash system.
- Fairmont Farm – $50,000 for a piping system.
- Farmer Hodge’s – $50,000 for bulk tank and pipeline washing system upgrades.
- Fern River Farm – $15,035 for a bulk tank, temperature chart recorder, and cleaning equipment for sheep milk.
- Fort Waite Farm – $50,000 for a 4,000-gallon bulk tank with compressor units.
- Keewaydin Farm – $50,000 for a 1,500-gallon bulk tank.
- Maple Cedar View Farm – $31,153 for a transition from a pipeline system to a parlor, including plate cooler and pulsators.
- Osgood’s Organic Farm – $17,382 for a new washing system and bulk tank compressor.
- Shadagee Farm – $50,000 for a 3,000-gallon bulk tank.
- Woodnotch Farms – $17,709 for a plate cooler and bottom-loading system for their bulk tank.
These investments are set to improve milk production efficiency and safety while ensuring dairy farms remain competitive in an evolving industry. The Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center continues to provide crucial support, fostering sustainability and innovation in the dairy sector.
