This is a competitive grant. The application window will be open from September 15 to November 17, 2023. Click here to apply online.
If you are a value-added dairy business looking to build your brand, develop an effective label, create a marketing plan, and identify appropriate strategies to increase product sales and consumer access, consider applying for a Marketing, Branding and Labeling Consultant Grant. If accepted, you will have access to a consultant who has experience in the dairy value-added space. The goal is to cultivate our regional food economy, strengthen our regional dairy food processing capacity, improve consumer access to locally produced foods, and create and improve economic opportunities for individual dairy producers and food businesses. This grant is made possible by the Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center, which is a USDA initiative.
This grant is open to value-added dairy businesses, including dairy farms and small-scale dairy businesses, in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, and New Jersey.
Funding Levels and Application Window
This is a competitive grant with a limited window to apply: September 15 – November 17, 2023. Up to 11 grants will be awarded for $5,000 in funds for marketing, brand development and labeling assistance. If all 11 grants are utilized, each grant will be for $5,000. Funds will be redistributed if there are fewer than 11 grants awarded.
If awarded the grant, your value-added business will receive up to $3,750 to work with a consultant and up to $1,250 for direct implementation of the consultant’s recommendations.
How to Apply
Eligibility and Requirements
This is a competitive grant open to value-added dairy businesses, including dairy farms and small-scale dairy businesses, in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, and New Jersey. You must agree to comply with all applicable Federal, State and Local license requirements. A $100 application fee is required but will be reimbursed if your application is not accepted.
The grant is designed to provide financial assistance to help value-added dairy business owners access the private consulting resources they need to build their brand and to help cultivate our regional food economy, strengthen our regional dairy food processing capacity, improve consumer access to locally-produced foods, and create and improve economic opportunities for individual dairy producers and food businesses.
Consultants
Click here to view the consultants who will provide grant recipients with branding, direct marketing & value-added technical assistance.
Do you have a consultant in mind who’s not on the list? If you have a consultant you would like to use to provide the expertise needed to assist with value-added, marketing and brand development, please contact Melissa Anderson. We will vet the advisor for approval.
The consultant will send the bill and summary of work provided to the Center and will be paid directly by us. If the consultant’s bill is over the allotted funds, the applicant will be responsible to pay the remaining balance. The amount available to each applicant will depend on the number of applicants that apply. If all 11 grants are utilized, each grant will be for $5,000. If awarded the grant, your farm will receive up to $3,750 to work with a consultant and up to $1,250 for direct implementation of the consultant’s recommendations. Funds will be redistributed if there are fewer than 11 grants awarded. Funding should be used by May 31, 2024.
We believe in connections and talking to people. That’s how we found the Center for Dairy Excellence. Consulting is the same way. If you go into it with an open mind to learn from them, it can be really great. I encourage other farmers, if you want to create a value-added product, you can do it small on your farm and use a consultant to create your website or the financial plan, for example. You don’t have to learn how to do it all yourself.
Questions?
For more information, contact Melissa Anderson at 717-636-0779 or manderson@centerfordairyexcellence.org.
Click here to view a list of frequently asked questions.