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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260923T000000
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SUMMARY:SDBII Dairy Grants Applications Close September 23
DESCRIPTION:Applications for two SDBII Dairy Grants available through the Southeast Dairy Business Innovation Initiative are due September 23 at 5 p.m. Eastern. The 2026 funding cycle includes the Specialty Processing Equipment Grant and the Dairy Business Planning Grant. \nBoth programs are open to permitted dairy businesses\, including farms and processors\, in 12 Southeastern states — including Kentucky\, North Carolina\, Tennessee\, Virginia\, and West Virginia — as well as Puerto Rico. The USDA Agricultural Marketing Service supports the grants. \nFor Appalachian Highlands dairy businesses\, the programs may offer an opportunity to address needs that are difficult to cover through normal farm operating income. \n\n\nSDBII Dairy Grants Can Support Processing Equipment\nThe Specialty Processing Equipment Grant provides reimbursement funding for projects that increase efficiency or capacity or add new processing capabilities to an existing or proposed dairy processing facility. \nFor 2026\, the maximum award is $150\,000\, and recipients must provide a 25% match. \nThis makes the program particularly relevant to dairy businesses considering processing expansion\, new products\, or equipment upgrades. A processing investment can help a dairy farm move beyond commodity milk production and explore higher-value products\, but those projects can also require substantial upfront capital. \nSDBII Dairy Grants Include Business Planning Assistance\nThe second opportunity is the Dairy Business Planning Grant\, which offers awards of up to $30\,000. \nRather than paying for processing equipment\, this grant helps permitted dairy businesses hire professional expertise to plan for the future. That can include work connected to business planning and evaluating future opportunities. \nFor a farm considering a major expansion\, value-added enterprise or other change\, outside professional assistance can help determine whether an idea makes financial and operational sense before the business commits significant resources. \nSDBII Dairy Grants Require Applicants to Choose One Program\nApplicants may apply for only one of the two SDBII Dairy Grants during this funding cycle. Program officials also advise applicants to read the full Request for Proposals before beginning an application. \nApplicants should review eligibility requirements\, allowable costs\, required documents\, budgets\, and scoring information well before the deadline. Waiting until September 23 to begin gathering those materials could create unnecessary problems. \nAward recipients must also have a Unique Entity Identifier\, or UEI\, before a grant contract can be executed. Program officials recommend beginning that process early because obtaining a UEI can take several weeks. \nSDBII Dairy Grants Deadline Is 5 p.m. Eastern\nSubmit applications for both programs by 5 p.m. Eastern on September 23. \nDairy farmers and processors considering either opportunity should review the official application materials now\, determine which grant best fits their project\, and make sure required records and supporting documents are ready before the deadline. \nFor Appalachian Highlands dairy businesses considering processing improvements or a major business decision\, the SDBII Dairy Grants could provide financial support and an opportunity to strengthen the operation’s long-term direction. \nRead our full-length articles about educational opportunities here!
URL:https://appalachianhighlandsfarmers.com/event/sdbii-dairy-grants-application-deadline/
CATEGORIES:Education,Grants & Deadlines
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://appalachianhighlandsfarmers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/2026-Fall-Grants-Announcement-July-scaled-aspect-ratio-700-400.png
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260925T000000
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CREATED:20260915T191021Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260915T195459Z
UID:10066-1790294400-1790294400@appalachianhighlandsfarmers.com
SUMMARY:Kentucky Conservation Funding Application Deadline
DESCRIPTION:Kentucky conservation funding is available to eligible farmers and landowners seeking financial and technical assistance to improve soil health and implement conservation practices on working lands. Submit applications for the current funding cycle through a local USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service office by September 25\, 2026. \nThe opportunity is available through the Soil Health for Urban and Rural Environments\, or SHURE\, project\, a Regional Conservation Partnership Program initiative led by Grow Appalachia\, a strategic initiative of Berea College. Grow Appalachia is working with the Organic Association of Kentucky and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service to deliver the program. \n\n\nMore Than $3.8 Million for Kentucky Conservation\nThe SHURE project is bringing more than $3.8 million into Kentucky to help farmers and landowners adopt conservation practices that support healthier soil and more resilient agricultural operations. \nEligible participants may receive financial assistance and one-on-one technical support. Grow Appalachia and Organic Association of Kentucky staff can help producers identify conservation needs\, develop an on-farm conservation plan\, navigate the NRCS application process\, and understand how to implement approved practices. \nConservation practices supported through the project may include cover crops\, riparian forest buffers\, pollinator habitat\, and other measures designed to improve soil and natural resources. \nThe project emphasizes soil health and resilient agricultural practices. NRCS also says the SHURE initiative prioritizes small farms of 50 acres or less in Kentucky. \nFarmers Can Get Help With the Application\nFarmers do not have to develop a conservation plan or navigate the NRCS process alone. Technical assistance is available to help identify farm problems and opportunities\, evaluate resources\, and determine which conservation practices may be appropriate. \nProducers and landowners interested in the current funding cycle must submit their applications through their local USDA NRCS office by September 25\, 2026. \nNRCS accepts conservation program applications year-round\, but the September 25 cutoff determines which applications will be considered for the current Kentucky funding cycle. Applications submitted after that date will move to a future funding period. \nFarmers who applied for SHURE funding during the spring 2026 application period but were not funded may apply again during the fall funding cycle. \nHow to Apply for Kentucky conservation funding\nKentucky farmers and landowners interested in the program should contact their local USDA Service Center or NRCS field office before the deadline. Grow Appalachia and the Organic Association of Kentucky also offer conservation assistance to farmers who need help understanding available practices\, conservation planning\, or the application process. \nApplication deadline: September 25\, 2026\nWho may apply: Eligible Kentucky farmers and landowners\nProgram: RCPP Soil Health for Urban and Rural Environments (SHURE)\nApplication: Submit through a local USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service office \n  \nRead our full-length articles about grants and educational opportunities here!
URL:https://appalachianhighlandsfarmers.com/event/kentucky-on-farm-conservation-funding-application-deadline/
CATEGORIES:Grants & Deadlines
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