Current Grant Opportunities

Dairy Modernization Grant Program

The Dairy Modernization Grant program is being administered by the Farm and Food Growth Fund. Funding will be awarded to eligible applicants for projects that seek to expand on-farm milk storage capacity; improve efficiencies; invest in milk transfer systems and cooling technologies; and more. Examples of eligible projects include the purchase/installation of milk storage tanks, including bulk tanks and milk silos; milk tankers for transport; milk pipelines; upgraded glycol chillers; farm milk loading systems; and more. 

Applications opened on November 1, 2024, and will be accepted through 3 p.m. on February 14, 2025.

Full details regarding project eligibility and directions to submit applications can be found at ffgrowthfund.org/dairymodernization. 

In addition, a new Frequently Asked Questions document is also available here: ffgrowthfund.org/_files/ugd/bf84f0_5914119d38e0487692750351ef125b25.pdf

-------

Value-added Producers Grant Program  

https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/business...

The Value-Added Producer Grant (VAPG) program helps U.S. agricultural producers enter into value-added activities that:

• Generate new products from raw agricultural commodities
• Create and expand marketing opportunities
• Increase producer income through enhanced product value and market reach

These grants support either:

• Planning activities (e.g., feasibility studies, business and marketing plans)
• Working capital needs (e.g., processing, packaging, advertising, inventory, and salaries

Applications are due by 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time on April 15, 2026.

Who Gets Priority?

Applicants may receive priority consideration if they meet any of the following criteria:

• Beginning farmer or rancher
• Veteran farmer or rancher
• Socially disadvantaged farmer or rancher
• Small or medium-sized farm or ranch structured as a family farm
• Farmer or rancher cooperative
• Proposing a Mid-Tier Value Chain project

Additionally, 10% of total funds are reserved for:

• Beginning, veteran, and socially disadvantaged farmers/ranchers
• Mid-tier value chain proposals
• Food safety projects where the majority of funds improve market access

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

• Farm Viability will be releasing its call for proposals in early February for the 

Round Two: NYS Beginning Farmer Competitive Grant Program

Round One of this program was extraordinarily competitive with 297 submissions requesting more than $22 million dollars. Following an extensive review process, 19 projects were selected for funding and $850,000 was awarded to beginning farmers across NY State.

NYFVI anticipates launching Round Two, which will award $1.7 million early in 2026. The program will continue to seek proposals that will advance Beginning Farmer’s plan to grow their business and become a financially sustainable, independent, agricultural enterprise.

NYFVI conducted an analysis of the 297 applications to be able to identify the characteristics of the most competitive applications. It is available below. Potential applicants are encouraged to review the analysis as well as the grant information and resources that were provided for the first round here.

While the program will evolve, all applicants should be ready to provide a clear financial case for how the assets purchased with the grant funds will help them start or grow their business.

Last updated February 2, 2026