Team Program Grants | Center for Dairy Excellence

August 28, 2025

Keeping a Family Business Profitable: PA Dairy Farmer Shares How They’ve Kept Overhead Costs Low and Navigated Partnership Agreements

Originally published in Hoard’s Dairyman Chad Hoover sometimes farms with four generations working together at a time. As a sixth-generation dairy farmer at Thousand Hill Dairy, LLC in Cambria County, Pennsylvania, Chad realizes how fortunate he is to have a business and lifestyle that are rooted in family. His grandfather, father, and uncle are all…

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…

September 20, 2023

Lancaster County Family Shares How Team Approach Leads to Actionable Dairy Business Decisions

For Chad Fox and his brother, Corey, of Fox Meadows Farm LLC in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, outside perspectives have been key to their family’s transition in ownership and year-to-year decision making. With 85 cows and about 180 acres, Fox Meadows Farm is a true family business. Chad and Corey are 50/50 partners, and their dad,…

July 21, 2021

Dairy Producer Gains Confidence to Transform Farm with New Technology

As Donny Bartch of Merrimart Farms in Perry County, Pennsylvania brainstormed ideas for the future of his dairy farm, he thought about a few key questions. How do he and his wife want to end their careers in dairying? If their kids come on board, what kind of opportunities do they want them to have?…

April 26, 2021

PA Dairy Farmer Shares His Story With Business Planning and Value-Added in New Podcast Episode

Jason Frye of Pleasant Lane Farms Was Interviewed In “Cow-Side Conversations” Podcast In the most recent episode of the Center for Dairy Excellence’s “Cow-Side Conversations” podcast, Jason Frye of Pleasant Lane Farms in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania discussed how a simple business plan helped his family transform their 40-cow dairy operation, enter the value-added space, and…

January 25, 2021

Professional Consulting Grants Available to Help Dairies Explore New Opportunities

Professional Consulting Grants Available to Help Dairies Explore New Opportunities The Center for Dairy Excellence is offering Dairy Decisions Consultant (DDC) grants to Pennsylvania dairy farms for the 2020-21 fiscal year. Leveraging funds provided through the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the DDC program works to provide dairy farm families with professional consulting resources to help make…

January 22, 2021

Franklin County Dairy Farm Pursues New Opportunities with the Help of Professional Consultant

When Ron and Amy Wenger of Hollowacres Farm, LLC in Franklin County, Pennsylvania decided they wanted to make a change on their dairy, they were considering several different opportunities. Their team was considering purchasing a neighboring farm or expanding their current operation. They were also open to the ideas of diversifying or remodeling the dairy….

December 7, 2020

Grants Available to Provide Dairy Farmers with Professional Consulting Resources

Limited Grants Are Available on a First Come, First Serve Basis The Center for Dairy Excellence has three grant opportunities available for dairy producers who are looking to improve profitability, create a transition plan, or plan a major business transformation. Through the Center’s On-Farm Resource Program, the 2020-21 grants allow dairy producers to establish on-farm…

December 2, 2020

Transformation Team Helps Lititz Dairy Farm with Business Planning and Transition Management

Andy Bollinger of Meadow Spring Farm in Lititz, Pennsylvania has witnessed multiple transitions and transformations during his lifetime. After joining his family’s partnership in 2004, their farm used a team approach when making major changes to their dairy operation. During a recent webinar with the Center for Dairy Excellence, Bollinger shared how this way of…

October 27, 2020

Grants Available to Help Dairy Farmers Establish a Team and Improve Profitability

Three Types of Grants Are Available Through the Center’s On-Farm Resource Program 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 three team grant opportunities available through the Center for Dairy Excellence’s On-Farm Resource Program. The 2020-21 team grants…