North Country dairy farmers can seek grants of up to $100,000
The Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center is offering dairy farm improvement grants of $15,000 to $100,000, with pre-applications due Dec. 17, 2026.
By Jessica Hale, ClickNNY North Country Desk
Dairy farmers in Northern New York can apply for grants ranging from $15,000 to $100,000 for projects intended to improve farm operations. Pre-applications are due by 2 p.m. Eastern time on Dec. 17, 2026, through the Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center.
The program has $1 million available. Eligible projects may involve feed, animal health, milking systems or labor efficiency. Replacing old equipment by itself does not qualify. Applicants must provide a 25% match, which can be cash, in-kind support or a combination of both.
The center is housed at the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets and funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Marketing Service. The program covers 11 states, including New York.
This year's process has two stages. Some pre-applicants will be invited to submit full applications during winter 2026-27. In the previous round, 153 dairies applied and 12 received awards totaling $801,542.
Four New York operations received awards in the February 2026 round: Argus Acres received $50,000, Brooks Edge Dairy received $88,797, Tolman Sheep Dairy Services received $73,720 and Wilson Dairy received $28,774.
An online question-and-answer session is scheduled for Nov. 12, 2026, from 1 to 2 p.m. Eastern time. Applicants can review requirements and apply through the NE-DBIC Farm Improvement and Modernization Grant page. Registration in WebGrants is required, and applicants may also need a Unique Entity Identifier through SAM.gov, which can take time to obtain.
Questions can be directed to Ben Eldredge at ben.eldredge@vermont.gov or (802) 522-9478.
Reported by ClickNNY and reviewed by an editor before publication.
More from ClickNNY
Guides and features from across the North Country.
ClickNNY Guide · Government
New York Election Day voting guide for the North Country
New York polls are open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026, with county-specific guidance available for voters in the North Country.
Developing
After the midterms: why officials are saying get ready
Reports of a possible U.S. strike on Iran, Iranian threats aimed at Europe and a fresh federal cyber warning all point the same way. No specific threat to the North Country has been announced, but here's what to have on hand if something hits the grid or the supply chain.
ClickNNY Special Report · Preparedness
Is the end of the world coming? What it means for the North Country
From Brussels to Albany, governments are telling families to keep days of supplies on hand. The short answer to the big question is no. The longer answer, for a region that lived through Ice Storm '98, is worth a few minutes and a trip to the store.