Dairy farmers go green with USDA funding

By Andi Anderson

Dairy farmers in 15 states can now access significant financial support to adopt climate-smart manure management practices. This initiative aims to improve soil health, boost herd productivity, and reduce environmental impact as part of the $70 million USDA-backed Transforming the Farmer to Consumer Supply Chain (Transform F2C) project.

The Dairy Manure Management Incentive Program offers competitive funding to help farmers implement sustainable manure and nutrient management practices tailored to their operations. Farmers can receive up to $1 million per farm entity to adopt techniques such as waste storage, waste separation, composting, and nutrient management.

“Many manure management practices require capital-heavy infrastructure investments, a challenge for the average dairy farmer, yet the business and environmental returns are phenomenal,” said Nick Goeser, co-Founder of Carbon A List, the company administering the grant. “This project is creating real impact. We expect a reduction equivalent of over 50,000 tons of carbon dioxide throughout the five-year program.”

Priority will be given to small-scale and historically underserved farmers, ensuring wider access to climate-resilient practices. Funding is awarded based on the estimated environmental impact of the proposed projects, measured in carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) reductions. Eligible farmers may receive up to 100% of their project budget.

Applications opened on December 2, 2024, and close on January 30, 2025. Dairy farmers in California, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, and Wisconsin who meet Farm Service Agency (FSA) requirements are encouraged to apply.

The program simplifies enrollment through a six-step guide, from verifying eligibility to submitting applications online. Farmers can explore this funding opportunity to advance sustainable practices on their farms. For more information, visit TransformF2C.com/dairy-manure-management.

Photo Credit: usda