Grants | Center for Dairy Excellence

February 14, 2024

Dauphin County Dairy Farmers Take Three-Prong Approach to Sustainability: Profitability, Environmental Stewardship & Community

Originally published in Hoard’s Dairyman For Kendra Nissley and her husband, Jeff, of Jubilee Dairy, LLC in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, the word “sustainability” takes on a lot of meaning. With every business decision they make, they intentionally think about the next generation to ensure their farm remains sustainable over the long haul – from a…

November 30, 2023

Center for Dairy Excellence Awards $205,000 to Help Dairy Producers Enhance Efficiency & Cow Comfort

The Dairy Excellence Grants Were Awarded to 41 Dairy Producers From 21 PA Counties The Center for Dairy Excellence recently awarded a collective total of $205,000 to 41 Pennsylvania dairy producers through the latest round of the Dairy Excellence Grant program. Leveraging funds provided through the PA Dairymen’s Association and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, this…

October 24, 2023

Marketing, Branding and Labeling Grants Open for Value-Added Dairy Businesses

The Grant Program Is Open Until November 17 The Center for Dairy Excellence has a new Marketing, Branding and Labeling Consultant Grant program open for dairy value-added operations that are looking to advance their businesses. Leveraging funds provided through the Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center, grant applications are due by November 17, 2023. Up to…

October 2, 2023

Grant Funding Available to Help PA Dairy Farms Form Advisory Teams

The Center’s On-Farm Team Program Is Now Open The Center for Dairy Excellence is now accepting applications for the On-Farm Team Grant Program for the 2023-24 year. Dairy producers who are looking to improve profitability, create a transition plan, or plan a major business transformation are encouraged to apply for one of the team grant…

September 20, 2023

Grants Available to Pair PA Dairy Farms With Professional Consultants in 7 Areas

The Center’s Dairy Decisions Consultant (DDC) Program Is Now Open The Center for Dairy Excellence is now accepting applications for the Dairy Decisions Consultant (DDC) Grant Program for the 2023-24 year. Through the grant program, dairy farm families can work with a professional consultant with firsthand experience in the dairy industry to help make decisions…

September 18, 2023

PA Dairy Farmer Gives Honest Look at Managing Cash Flow and Gaining Confidence with Finances When Markets Are Tight

Todd Benedict of Sunset Dairy in Warren County, Pennsylvania is no stranger to adversity. After losing his entire farm and 110 cows to a fire in 2011, he found a way to rebuild so he could continue farming. Today he has 650 cows, 720 acres, and continues to find ways to optimize his dairy operation…

September 11, 2023

Grant Opportunities to Open September 15 for Dairy Producers and Value-Added Dairy Businesses

The Grants Help Support Improvement Projects and Value-Added Consulting The Center for Dairy Excellence will open two competitive grant programs on September 15, 2023 for Pennsylvania dairy producers and dairy value-added operations who are looking to advance their businesses. Leveraging funds provided through the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center, the…

July 31, 2023

Lancaster County Dairy Farm Family Prioritizes Transition Planning With Outside Consultants

Kerry Zeiset, a dairy producer from Lancaster County, had an active role on his family’s 72-cow dairy farm and a strong interest in continuing to farm with his family in the future. Like many dairy farm families, he just wasn’t sure how to take the next steps into ownership with his parents. When his mom…

June 23, 2023

Dairy Farmer Restores Old Mill, Develops Successful Business Plan for Community-Focused Creamery

When John Nolt, a dairy farmer from Mifflinburg, Pennsylvania, bought an old mill and corner lot in December of 2017, he never anticipated how much of an impact it would have on his community. With a 50-cow herd, Nolt and his family dreamt of restoring the mill and opening their own creamery to sell homemade…

May 2, 2023

Center for Dairy Excellence Awards $210,000 to Help Dairy Producers Enhance Efficiency & Cow Comfort

The Dairy Excellence Grants Were Awarded to 42 Dairy Producers From 23 PA Counties The Center for Dairy Excellence recently awarded a collective total of $210,000 to 42 Pennsylvania dairy producers through the fifth round of the Dairy Excellence Grant program. Leveraging funds provided through the PA Dairymen’s Association and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, this…