By Blake Jackson
Pennsylvania dairy producers can now apply for Climate-Smart Grants to fund eco-friendly practices on their farms. The grants are offered through the CARAT project (Climate-smart Agriculture that is Profitable, Regenerative, Actionable, and Trustworthy), a collaboration between Pennsylvania State University and the USDA's Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities.
These grants help dairy farms implement practices that benefit both the environment and their bottom line. A maximum of 150 farms will be chosen on a first-come, first-served basis to develop climate-smart plans with a technical service provider. Ultimately, 69 farms will be selected to put their plans into action. Applications are accepted continuously.
“As dairy farmers, manure is our number one source of nutrients for our crops, so I’m always looking to improve that process. The composting I’ve started doing has helped on the solid side. On the liquid side, I’ve been looking into new technology which is where the Climate-Smart Grant came in. It’s an autonomous irrigation machine that follows the way you plant your corn,” said Paul Mason of Mason’s Chrome View in Chester County, Pennsylvania. “The idea is, if I can apply manure in season while my corn is growing, I can apply it at multiple points in slower doses. By being able to do that, I can theoretically be more efficient with my nitrogen use, with more going into my plants and less emissions and volatilization.”
To be eligible, Pennsylvania dairy farms must have at least 35 lactating cows or be a custom dairy heifer facility with 100 or more heifers. Additionally, they need to have two existing plans in place: an Agricultural Erosion and Sedimentation (E&S) or conservation plan, and a manure management or nutrient management plan.
For more information on the Climate-Smart Grants and how to apply, visit www.centerfordairyexcellence.org/climate-smart-grants. Pre-qualification doesn't guarantee participation in the final CARAT project. Farms will be notified of their pre-qualification status after application review.
Contact Melissa Anderson at manderson@centerfordairyexcellence.org or call 717-788-0296 for details on funding amounts, cost-sharing, technical service providers, and more.
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Categories: Pennsylvania, General