The Dairy Plus Program is a new program under CDFA’s Office of Environmental Farming and Innovation (OEFI). This program will award competitive grants to California dairy farms for the implementation of advanced manure management practices that reduce both methane emissions and nutrient surplus.
The California Dairy Research Foundation (CDRF), in collaboration with CDFA and several other organizations, was awarded $85 million in funding by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) under the Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities program in 2022. Over five years, this project will work to provide incentives to producers to adopt advanced climate-smart manure management practices along with outreach and technical assistance, measure greenhouse gas and nitrogen benefits associated with implemented practices, and develop markets for climate-smart commodities. Approximately $75 million of the total awarded amount will support the implementation of advanced manure management practices, and be administered through the Dairy Plus Program starting in 2023.
2024 Dairy Plus Grant Solicitation
The 2024 Dairy Plus Program solicitation is now closed. Applications were accepted between July 23 and October 18, 2024. CDFA received 49 applications associated with AMMP or DDRDP requesting $57.8 million in grant funds.
Reference Materials
Technical Assistance Resources
For direction in identifying available technical assistance resources appropriate for your project type and region, please reach out to:
Denise Mullinax, CDRF, Executive Director – CDQAP, Assistant Director
Phone: 209-585-6744
Email: cdqap@cdrf.org (please include Dairy Plus TA in the subject line)
CDRF Dairy Plus Program Webpage
Program Timeline for Dairy Plus
| Item | Estimated Time Frame* |
|---|---|
| Application Period Open | July 23, 2024 |
| Application Period Closed | October 18, 2024 |
| Review Process | October 2024 - February 2025 |
| Award Announcement | March 2025 |
| Grant Term for 2024 Projects Begins | Fall 2025 |
* Subject to change