The Dairy Plus Program focuses on helping dairy operations refine their manure handling approaches, meet sustainability targets, and strengthen long-term resilience. Earlier funding cycles supported 37 initiatives with a combined $43.6 million. Resources come from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Advancing Markets for Producers Initiative and are managed by the California Department of Food and Agriculture's Office of Agricultural Resilience and Sustainability alongside CDRF.

"This effort backs producers as they pursue ongoing improvements in safeguarding natural resources," noted Denise Mullinax, Executive Director of CDRF. "Through modern techniques, farms can tackle nitrogen and salt imbalances, ready themselves for evolving water quality standards, and advance toward several environmental objectives. Eligible operators are urged to review the opportunity and see how it aligns with their sustainability and business aims."

Applications for this third round opened June 16 and will be accepted for 90 days, closing at 5:00 p.m. PT on September 14. Officials expect this to serve as the concluding funding round.

Supported approaches include vermifiltration setups, weeping wall solid separation, enhanced solid-liquid separation using flocculants or bead filters, and centrifuge-based separation. These may integrate with digesters or subsurface drip irrigation where suitable.

Projects considered for Dairy Plus support must combine with additional manure management methods or technologies funded through private or public sources. Complete criteria and forms appear on the program website.

Beyond direct funding, participants receive technical guidance, measurement of environmental outcomes, and assistance developing markets for sustainably produced goods.

The California Dairy Research Foundation serves as an independent nonprofit that directs research and evidence-based initiatives to foster an innovative, sustainable dairy sector in the state.

SOURCE California Dairy Research Foundation