Key Takeaways
- The California Dairy Research Foundation (CDRF) has opened the third and anticipated final round of its Dairy Plus Program, making $34 million available for advanced manure management projects on California dairy farms.
- Individual projects can receive up to $1.25 million in funding, with the 90-day application period opening June 16 and closing at 5:00 p.m. PT on September 14.
- The program has completed two prior grant rounds, awarding a total of $43.6 million across 37 projects.
- Dairy Plus is funded through USDA's Advancing Markets for Producers (AMP) Initiative and administered by CDFA's Office of Agricultural Resilience and Sustainability (OARS) in partnership with CDRF.
- Eligible practices include vermifiltration systems, manure solid separation via weeping wall, and advanced solid-liquid separation using flocculants, bead filters, or centrifuges, often paired with digesters or subsurface drip irrigation.
California Dairy Research Foundation Opens Third Dairy Plus Round
The California Dairy Research Foundation (CDRF) has announced that California dairy farmers can now apply to the third round of the Dairy Plus Program, a collaborative initiative supporting advanced manure management projects on dairy farms. A total of $34 million is available, with individual projects eligible for up to $1.25 million in funding.
“The Dairy Plus Program supports dairy farmers' important efforts to continually innovate and improve the protection of natural resources. By adopting state-of-the-art practices, dairy farms can address nitrogen and salt surpluses, prepare for changing water quality regulations, and work toward meeting multiple environmental targets. We encourage eligible producers to explore the program and determine whether it can help them reach their environmental and operational goals,” said Denise Mullinax, Executive Director of CDRF.
What Manure Management Practices Qualify
The Dairy Plus Program supports several pathways for enhanced manure management, including vermifiltration systems, manure solid separation via weeping wall, advanced solid-liquid separation with flocculants and/or bead filters, and advanced solid-liquid separation by centrifuge. These practices may be accompanied by the use of a digester and/or subsurface drip irrigation systems.
All projects considered for Dairy Plus funding must be paired with other key manure management practices or technologies that have been either privately or publicly funded, ensuring the program builds on existing on-farm sustainability investments rather than standing alone.
California Dairy Research Foundation's Role Alongside CDFA and USDA
The program is funded through the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Advancing Markets for Producers (AMP) Initiative and administered by the California Department of Food and Agriculture's Office of Agricultural Resilience and Sustainability (OARS) in partnership with CDRF. Beyond incentive funding, the program includes technical assistance, environmental benefit measurement, and efforts to create new market opportunities for sustainably produced commodities.
CDRF describes itself as an independent non-profit organization that leads and delivers research and science-based programs supporting an innovative and sustainable California dairy industry.
Application Deadline and Prior Program Results
The 90-day application period for this third round of Dairy Plus funding opened on June 16, with applications due by 5:00 p.m. PT on September 14. This round is anticipated to be the final one under the program.
Across its first two funding rounds, Dairy Plus has awarded a combined $43.6 million to 37 projects. Full eligibility requirements and application materials are available on the Dairy Plus Program webpage through CDFA.
1 Comment