WATERTOWN, NY — Dairy farmers in Jefferson County and throughout Northern New York have an opportunity to access grant funding through the Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center (NE-DBIC) to help modernize their operations, improve farm efficiency, and strengthen their long-term business viability.
The Dairy Farm Improvement & Modernization Grant Program is now accepting pre-applications for its 2026 funding round. The program has $1 million available to support dairy farm projects throughout 11 northeastern states, including New York.
Individual grant awards will range from $15,000 to $100,000, with applicants required to provide a 25% cash and/or in-kind match.
The program is designed to help dairy farmers modernize outdated systems or introduce innovative approaches that improve farm profitability, animal health and comfort, milk quality, labor efficiency, and the overall resilience of dairy operations.
What Types of Projects Could Qualify?
The program supports a broad range of improvements to dairy farm operations. Potential project areas include:
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Feed and Nutrition Management: Improvements in feed management systems, nutrition monitoring, and feeding strategies.
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Animal Health and Comfort: Technologies and systems that improve cow comfort, animal monitoring, herd health, and management.
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Milking Systems: Innovative approaches to improve milk production, milk quality, and the efficiency of milk handling.
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Labor Efficiency: Technologies and management systems that reduce labor demands and improve workforce productivity.
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Animal Management: Improved systems for herd monitoring, recordkeeping, and overall animal management.
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Farm Transition: Projects that support new and young farmers, succession planning, and alternative farm management approaches.
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Cooperative Approaches: Projects involving multiple farms working together to improve dairy production or operational efficiency.
The grant program is looking for projects that demonstrate a broader, strategic approach to improving farm operations. Simply replacing an older piece of equipment without demonstrating how the investment will improve the overall farm system will not qualify.
Projects involving professional guidance from farm planners, technical assistance providers, or other qualified experts may be more competitive. Projects that demonstrate benefits to multiple farms or businesses are also encouraged.
Who Can Apply?
Eligible applicants include:
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Individual dairy farmers operating licensed dairy farms in the Northeast and meeting applicable state and federal requirements.
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Producer associations representing or supporting Northeast dairy farmers.
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Technical assistance providers, including university extension and farm viability organizations, applying on behalf of groups of farmers.
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Milk buyers and processors proposing projects that directly benefit dairy farmers through improvements in on-farm milk production or milk transfer.
New York dairy farms are eligible to apply.
Important Application Information
The 2026 program uses a two-stage application process due to the high demand for funding.
Stage 1 – Pre-Application
Pre-applications opened October 29, 2026, and must be submitted by:
December 17, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
Farmers must submit a pre-application to be considered for funding.
Stage 2 – Full Application
A selected group of applicants will be invited to submit a full application during the winter. Submission of a pre-application does not guarantee an invitation to the full application stage or an award.
Applicants should review the program’s Request for Pre-Applications (RFA) for complete eligibility requirements, eligible expenses, and application instructions.
Farmers should also allow time to register in the WebGrants application system, as registration may take up to two business days.
Learn More and Get Started
Farmers interested in exploring this opportunity can find program information, application materials, and registration instructions at:
Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center
The NE-DBIC is also hosting an online question-and-answer session:
Thursday, November 12, 2026
1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time
This is an opportunity for interested farmers to learn more about the two-stage application process and ask questions about the program.
For questions about the grant, contact:
An Opportunity for Northern New York Dairy Agriculture
Investments in technology, animal health, labor efficiency, and farm management can help position Northern New York dairy farms for continued success in an increasingly competitive agricultural environment.
Dairy farmers are encouraged to review this funding opportunity and consider whether planned improvements or innovative ideas for their operations might qualify.
Farmers should not wait until the December deadline to begin exploring this opportunity. Early preparation will provide more time to identify potential projects, understand matching requirements, and complete the pre-application process.
If you are in Jefferson County and have questions about this grant opportunity and how you might apply, contact Jefferson County Agricultural Coordinator, Jay Matteson, at 315-782-5865 x 232 or email coordinator@comefarmwithus.com
