Dairy Grazing Expansion Project
The Dairy Grazing Expansion Project helps Michigan dairy farms transition to pasture-based systems through technical assistance, education, and resources provided by MDARD and partners.
Funder: Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development
Due Dates: Not specified; applications accepted on a rolling basis
Funding Amounts: $275,490 awarded to project partners; resources and support available to eligible farms
Summary: Supports Michigan dairy farms—especially beginning, small, and medium-sized operations—in transitioning to pasture-based grazing systems through technical assistance, education, and resources.
Key Information: Targeted at Michigan dairy farms; emphasis on reducing barriers to grazing system adoption.
Description
The Dairy Grazing Expansion Project is an initiative of the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) aimed at helping beginning, small, and medium-sized dairy farms in Michigan transition to managed pasture-based feeding systems. The project reduces technical and financial barriers to grazing adoption, providing practical tools, technical assistance, workforce development, and educational opportunities. By partnering with the Wallace Center at Winrock International and industry stakeholders, the project seeks to improve farm efficiency, profitability, and resilience while supporting informed decision-making and sharing lessons learned among dairy producers.
