We have an exciting update to share with Pennsylvania dairy producers! The Penn State CARAT project has been renewed under USDA’s new Advancing Markets for Producers (AMP) program. CARAT now stands for “Creating Advance Revenues for Agricultural Transformation in Dairy.” This program is being led by The Pennsylvania State University with funding from USDA’s Advancing Markets Program (AMP). Supporting partners are the Professional Dairy Managers of PA (PDMP) and Center for Dairy Excellence.
All previous farms preapproved for CARAT are eligible for CARAT funding without having to reapply. In addition, funding amounts have been increased for each dairy farm category as follows:
- Small (35-199 Cows): $88,000
- Mid (200-499 Cows): $196,000
- Large (500+ Cows): $376,000
A Climate Smart Management Plan (CSMP) is no longer required for the program. Rather, the program can fund any of the 41 practices listed on the CARAT Project Status Form (page 3) below. This includes several new practices that were not previously fundable under the old CARAT program. A definition of each practice and the payment amount for each practice is provided on pages 4-7 below. Funds can cover design and engineering costs up to 10% of the overall award amount.
Another change in the program is that participating producers will sign a contract with and receive payments directly from Penn State. This will mean getting you set up as an approved Penn State vendor. CARAT project team members from both Penn State and the Center for Dairy Excellence will help you through the vendor set up and contracting process.
As long as your farm has conservation/nutrient management plans up to date, is not already working with another AMP program administered by another partner, and your project is not yet under construction, there is a possibility that CARAT funds may still be used to fund your project. Or, if you have other project ideas that include any of the 41 eligible practices under CARAT, we may be able to help you fund them.
This grant expires May 20, 2028, so all projects must be completed before that time.
To express interest in participating in the newly-revised CARAT Program, complete the form below. If you have questions about this program, contact Matt Royer, Director of the Pennsylvania State University’s Agriculture and Environment Center at (814) 863-8756 or Melissa Anderson, Senior Grants and On-Farm Programs Manager with the Center for Dairy Excellence at 717-788-0296.