This grant is now open! This is a competitive grant opportunity with a limited window to apply: February 9, 2026 through March 18, 2026 at 3 p.m. Successful farm projects in this opportunity would be included with the Center’s application as a Regional Impact Project to the PA Ag Innovation Fund. Due to the nature of this process, there will not be any funding awarded unless the Center’s application is approved.
- Click here to submit your application online by March 18.
- Click here to download a PDF application to print and mail back.
- Click here to download a letter of support template.
About the Dairy Innovation Grants:
The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture introduced the Pennsylvania Ag Innovation Fund to support investments that:
- Embrace technology to improve efficiency and data analytics on dairy operations
- Enhance production
- Increase energy efficiency on the farm or in ag processing
The grant allows for Regional Impact Grants to be awarded to projects that address these goals on multiple eligible enterprises. The Center for Dairy Excellence would qualify for the Regional Impact Grant and plans to pursue grant funding to award Dairy Innovation Grants to up to 20 dairy farm operations that want to invest in activity monitoring systems. This technology would improve herd health and reproduction efficiency and the overall efficiencies of the farm. We narrowed the focus of this grant to activity monitoring systems to strengthen our application for the grant funding. If accepted, it would allow the Center to award up to $25,000 in matching funds to up to 20 dairy farms.
Disclaimer: Applications are being accepted now to be included with our proposal to the Pennsylvania Ag Innovation Fund. However, even if the farm is selected to be submitted with our application, any funds awarded will be dependent upon the Center for Dairy Excellence’s application being awarded funding from the Ag Innovation Fund. If the Center’s application is not successful, the funding will not be available to fund Dairy Innovation Grants.
Requirements:
Applicants must:
- Have a biosecurity plan in place
- Have a conservation plan, manure management plan, and knowledge of financials
- Be participating in National FARM or similar animal care program
- Be a farm operation with anticipated farm sales of greater than $2,000 per year and at least 35 dairy cows in their lactating dairy herd or 70 goats in their lactating goat herd.
- Provide a letter of support from their farm to submit with our larger application to the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture (template provided within the application). Click here to download a letter of support template.
- Provide thorough description and industry-researched estimate for technology investment they want to be funded through grant
- Demonstrate commitment to long-term sustainability of the operation
- Be willing to provide metrics before and after in milk production, quality and components, reproduction, and herd health to demonstrate impact.
Potential Projects:
Potential projects cannot be started prior to notification of farm’s award. Projects can include:
- Activity monitoring system for improved herd health and reproduction
Timeline and How to Apply:
This is a competitive grant opportunity with a limited window to apply: February 9, 2026 through March 18, 2026 at 3 p.m. Successful farms would be notified of their acceptance into the pre-application period in April 2026 but would not know whether the funding is awarded until the announcement of the Pennsylvania Ag Innovation Grant Awardees.
If awarded the funds, farms would have up to two years to purchase the activity monitoring system and implement it into their operation. All funding would be awarded on a reimbursable basis once technology is implemented.
- Click here to submit your application online by March 18.
- Click here to download a PDF application to print and mail back.
Frequently Asked Questions:
If you have questions about this grant, contact Melissa Anderson, Programs and Operations Manager, at manderson@centerfordairyexcellence.org or 717-788-0296.