Are you a West Virginia dairy farmer? Is your goal to continue dairying for future generations? Are you concerned about increasing profitability on your farm? Are you looking for the best path forward to invest in and grow your business? Do you want some answers and not sure where to turn? Consider applying to participate in the West Virginia Dairy Farm Consultation and Reinvestment Grant Program!
About the Grants:
This grant program provides up to $21,000 in support to dairy farms located in West Virginia to work with outside consultants and reinvest in their dairy operations for long term profitability and success. The program is offered by the Center for Dairy Excellence with funding provided by the USDA Increasing Land, Capital, Market Access Cooperative Agreement – Working Lands of Central Appalachia Program at the West Virginia University Institute for Community and Rural Health. The Center for Dairy Excellence has a 21-year history of helping dairy farms succeed, and we want to extend those resources to dairy farm families in West Virginia. Up to 19 dairy farms within West Virginia will be accepted into the program on a first-come, first-served basis.
This grant program is intended to provide access to funding and outside consulting that can help you position your dairy farm business for future profitability and success. The grant program includes three phases of support for your farm. Those include:
- An Individual Consultation and Business Summary Identifying Solutions. Once your farm is accepted into the program, you will complete a needs assessment to identify your goals for the project.
- A Team Approach with Key Advisor to Find Your Path Forward. You’ll be paired with a farmer-trusted business consultant to walk through the needs assessment and your broader operation to identify opportunities to achieve your goals and strengthen your business. From there, the Center will help you organize a team of your closest advisors and provide some financial support to help you shape that path forward.
- Reinvestment Dollars to Help You on Your Way. Once you and your team identify what that looks like for your dairy, the Center will provide you with seed money – a reinvestment grant – to help you get there.
Eligibility and Requirements:
To be eligible, a dairy farm must be producing and marketing milk. Both dairy cow herds and dairy goat herds are eligible to apply.
Farms that intend to begin producing milk within the near future may also apply for consideration into the program
Up to 19 dairy farms within West Virginia will be accepted into the program on a first-come, first-served basis. Once an application is approved, you will have up to five years to move through the process.
How to Apply:
Steps Involved in the Program:
Step 1) Apply. Any dairy farm in West Virginia can apply online or complete and return a printed application to the Center for Dairy Excellence.
Step 2) Complete a Needs Assessment. Once you are accepted into the program, your dairy farm will complete a needs assessment survey to provide basic information about your dairy operation and your goals.
Step 3) Meet with a Trusted Consultant. Once the needs assessment is completed, your dairy farm will be paired with a farmer-trusted business consultant who will work with you to look at the needs assessment and your whole farm operation to identify opportunities and solutions for your dairy business.
Step 4) Receive a Business Summary. From that consultation, your dairy will receive a business summary report that will provide you with strategies and recommendations to help guide the next steps for your business.
Step 5) Leverage the Power of a Team. Once the individual consultation is completed and you are provided with a business summary, the Center will work with you to help you establish a team of your closest advisors and provide you with a grant of up to $6,000 supporting that team effort to find your path forward.
Step 6) Plant the Seeds for Success. With the help of your team of advisors, you will have access to up to $10,000 in seed money to help you reinvest in the strategies identified to help you strengthen your dairy. The consultant and team you are working with may also help you identify additional funding sources to pursue your goals.
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.