Funding Available for NY Dairy Producers to Assist With Business and Environmental Planning

By Katelyn Walley-Stoll, Farm Business Management Specialist with the SWNY Dairy, Livestock, and Field Crops Program

Dairy producers in New York State, with a preference for small to mid-sized farms, are eligible for funding to address business needs to stay competitive and sustainable in today's agricultural environment! The Dairy Advancement Program provides financial support to NY dairy producers that can be used to engage professionals for financial analysis and to create business plans, design new or remodeled farm facilities, and develop farmstead environmental plans, including design of practices identified in the farm comprehensive nutrient management plan. For more information, contact Katelyn Walley-Stoll in the SWNY region at 716-640-0522 or visit prodairy.cals.cornell.edu/dairy-advancement.

Eligible Projects and Funding Include:

• Recordkeeping systems - $2,500 to start a new, or update, recordkeeping system. Example: Purchase something like QuickBooks for improved financial recordkeeping or DairyComp for cow health records.
• Operational planning - $2,500 to identify options for improving current operations by analyzing costs. Example: Pay for a financial consultant to analyze current cash inflows and outflows and budget for an anticipated or desired change and evaluate profitability or cover the cost of a financial analysis program like the Dairy Profit Monitor.
• Business Planning - $5,000 new and $2,500 continuing to develop a farm business plan which could include transition analysis, facility planning, and farmstead layout. Example: Hire a business consultant to discuss and design a transition plan from one generation to the next and how to do that sustainably.
• Advisory Teams - $3,000 to bring together farm advisors regularly to help brainstorm ideas and recommendations for farm issues with the goals of improving the dairy business. Example: Pay for a vet, crop consultant, lender, nutritionist, etc. to meet quarterly and discuss farm goals and issues while offering suggestions for improvements.
• Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan - $6,000 new and $4,500 continuing to have a certified planner work with the farm to develop and update a CNMP.
• Engineering Services for Best Management Practices - $2,000 to $10,000 depending on the project to pay for an engineer to design BMP's from the farm's CNMP, construction oversight, structure evaluation, and development of a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan.

Funding for DAP is provided by NYS Dept. of Ag and Markets, NYS DEC's Environmental Protection Fund, coordinated through Cornell PRO-DAIRY, and facilitated by CCE and other agri-service professionals. DAP funds 80% of the total project cost and the farmer pays for the remaining 20% directly to the service provider. Projects are expected to move forward in a consistent manner or farms risk forfeiting the award. Funds are awarded on a rolling basis, first-come first-serve.

SWNYDLFC is a partnership between Cornell University and the CCE Associations of Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, and Steuben counties. Their team includes Katelyn Walley-Stoll, Farm Business Management (716-640-0522) and Amy Barkley, Livestock Management (716-640-0844). CCE is an employer and educator recognized for valuing AA/EEO, Protected Veterans, and Individuals with Disabilities and provides equal program and employment opportunities.

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For more information about Cornell Cooperative Extension, contact your county's Association Executive Director. Allegany County - Laura Hunsberger, lkh47@cornell.edu or 585-268-7644. Cattaraugus County - Dick Rivers, rer263@cornell.edu or 716-699-2377. Chautauqua County - Emily Reynolds, eck47@cornell.edu or 716-664-9502. Erie County - Diane Held, dbh24@cornell.edu or 716-652-5400. Steuben County - Tess McKinley, tsm223@cornell.edu, or 607-664-2301.