The Dairy Alliance Launches Free Grant-Writing Support Pilot for Southeast Dairy Farmers

The Dairy Alliance, a nonprofit funded by dairy farm families in the Southeast, has launched a pilot program offering free grant consulting and grant-writing support for eligible dairy farm projects through a partnership with Lasso, a grant services provider. The pilot aims to help farms identify and secure public funding for on-farm investments without the time burden and complexity often associated with grant applications. This initiative supports farmers considering equipment upgrades, infrastructure improvements, or energy and efficiency projects who may be unsure whether grant funding is available or how to navigate the application process.

By reducing the administrative burden often associated with grants, the pilot helps farmers focus on sustaining their family businesses while investing in their operations for the next generation. Selected participants will receive Lasso's end-to-end support at no cost, including identifying relevant grant opportunities, preparing applications, and managing post-award requirements. Farrah Newberry, CEO of The Dairy Alliance, noted that dairy farmers are constantly looking for innovative ways to invest in their operations, but grant funding can feel out of reach when already juggling everything it takes to run a farm. She emphasized that by allowing Lasso to handle the heavy lifting of applying for grants, farmers can pursue avenues quicker to strengthen their business and support their local community.

Lasso works directly with farms to understand their needs and match projects with federal, state, regional, and local grant programs, including opportunities such as the Value-Added Producer Grant and the Southeast Dairy Business Innovation Initiative. Lasso reports a 90 percent success rate and has helped customers secure more than 70 grants, representing millions of dollars in funding for on-farm projects. Nicole Rojas, co-founder of Lasso, explained that many farmers have strong project ideas but do not have the time or resources to navigate the grant process on their own. She stated that partnering with The Dairy Alliance allows them to remove that barrier by helping dairy farmers identify the right funding opportunities and manage the grant process from start to finish, so they can focus on running their farms and investing in their operations with confidence.

Dairy farmers interested in participating in the pilot should be open to pursuing public grant funding and have an on-farm project in mind with potential vendors or service providers identified. Participants may also be invited to take part in a high-level case study for The Dairy Alliance highlighting project type, outcomes, and the benefits of grant funding. This program represents a significant step in supporting the sustainability and growth of dairy farming in the Southeast by making grant funding more accessible and manageable for farmers who are essential to local economies and food systems. For more information about The Dairy Alliance, visit https://thedairyalliance.com.