Dairy Plus Program
The Dairy Plus Program funds California dairies to adopt advanced manure management technologies that reduce methane emissions and improve environmental sustainability.
Funder: California Department of Food and Agriculture
Due Dates: September 14, 2026 (2026 Dairy Plus Program full application deadline, 5:00 P.M. PT)
Funding Amounts: ~$34 million total for 2026; max $1,250,000 per project or $750/cow; 12-month grant term (possible extension to 24 months)
Summary: Competitive grants for California dairy farms to implement advanced manure management practices reducing methane and addressing environmental challenges.
Key Information: No matching funds required; reimbursement-based funding; USDA Farm Service Agency registration required.
Description
The Dairy Plus Program, administered by the California Department of Food and Agriculture's Office of Agricultural Resilience and Sustainability, provides competitive grants to California dairy farms for the adoption of advanced manure management practices. The program is designed to help dairies reduce methane emissions, manage nitrogen and salt levels, and address critical environmental challenges in dairy production. Supported by approximately $34 million for the 2026 round, the program focuses on on-farm improvements, technical support, emissions monitoring, and market development for sustainable dairy products. Eligible projects often incorporate innovative technologies such as weeping walls, vermifiltration, advanced solid-liquid separation, and related practices that build on or enhance existing manure management strategies.
