California Dairy Research Foundation Relaunches Climate-Smart Grant Initiative

The California Dairy Research Foundation (CDRF) has announced the relaunch of its USDA Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities grant, now integrated into the Advancing Markets for Producers (AMP) Initiative. This initiative places a strong emphasis on supporting dairy farmers through the Dairy Plus Program, which provides funding for advanced manure management technologies, technical assistance, and environmental benefit measurement.

The Dairy Plus Program is managed in collaboration with the California Department of Food and Agriculture's (CDFA) Office of Agricultural Resilience and Sustainability. The program aims to reduce emissions and address environmental challenges like nitrogen and salt surpluses. It collaborates with entities such as the California Milk Advisory Board, cooperatives, and academic partners to enhance both environmental and economic resilience.

In 2024, CDRF and CDFA have allocated $16.7 million to fund 14 dairy farm projects in California. These projects align with the state's Alternative Manure Management Program and the Dairy Digester Research and Development Program. The AMP initiative plans an additional $58 million investment for future projects, with up to $26.8 million available for selectees from the 2024 Dairy Plus Program applications.

A third round of project applications is expected to open in early 2026. This initiative is crucial as dairy farmers face increasing regulatory, environmental, and market pressures. According to Denise Mullinax, Executive Director of CDRF, the program helps farmers adopt state-of-the-art practices and access new markets that recognize California's leadership in sustainable dairy farming.