The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) is accepting grant applications from the dairy and livestock community for methane reduction programs for efforts, including the installation of equipment and implementation of practices that lower methane emissions and maximize environmental benefits.
Grants are available at CDFA through 1) the Alternative Manure Management Program (AMMP), 2) the Dairy Digester Research and Development Program (DDRDP) and 3) the new Dairy Plus Program explained below.
Funding from the 2022-2023 budget (prior year state budget) is available for livestock methane reduction efforts for this grant solicitation in the amount of $20.9 million for AMMP and $11.4 million for DDRDP. A separate round of funding will become available in 2024 for the programs.
In addition, a new endeavor through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) – the Dairy Plus Program — offers an “opportunity to amplify the reach and scope of traditional AMMP and DDRDP projects with approximately $75 million from the USDA Partnerships for Climate Smart Commodities program,” according to a CDFA announcement.
Dairy Plus will incentivize innovative and advanced manure management practices to lower greenhouse gas emissions and address nutrient surplus. New and existing AMMP and DDRDP applicants, and prior grant recipients with completed projects, are eligible to apply to the Dairy Plus Program.
Applications for each of the programs are due on August 28, 2023, by 5 p.m.(Pacific).
Further details for prospective applicants:
• Alternative Manure Management Program (AMMP)
Information including the application process, requirements, and application assistance workshops to be conducted by CDFA is available HERE.
• Dairy Digester Research and Development Program (DDRDP)
Details pertaining to the application process, requirements, and application workshops is available HERE .
• Dairy Plus Program
Information regarding the application process, requirements, and application assistance workshops is available HERE.