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Hudson Valley Agribusiness outlines dairy modernization grants and Farm & Food Growth Fund programs
Summary
Hudson Valley Agribusiness (HVADC) briefed supervisors on two statewide funding streams: a Dairy Farming Opportunity bulk‑tank modernization grant and a federal Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure program administered regionally; both could benefit Washington County producers.
Hudson Valley Agribusiness (HVADC) executive director Todd Erling updated the board on regional programs that could bring funding and technical assistance to Washington County farm and food businesses. Two initiatives drew particular attention: a state Dairy Farming Opportunity grant focused on bulk‑tank and milk‑handling upgrades and a USDA‑funded Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure program for local processing, storage and distribution.
Erling said the Dairy Farming Opportunity program (state level) provides reimbursement grants to dairy farms for equipment and upgrades that improve on‑farm cooling and storage; the first round allocated about $21.6 million statewide and the Farm & Food Growth Fund is helping applicants with questions and office hours. Eligible equipment includes bulk tanks, pumps and transfer systems; the program is reimbursement based. Erling said HVAC/Farm to Grow Fund staff have logged hundreds of inquiries and roughly 220 active applications statewide, and that additional rounds are expected with state budget actions.
HVADC is also administering or supporting access to federal resilient food‑system infrastructure funds that aim to assist middle‑chain businesses (value‑add processors, storage/warehousing and distribution). The organization said New York received about $14 million and interest statewide far exceeded available dollars; HUD/USDA review of recommended awards was ongoing. Erling described other regional assistance — incubator programs, BIPOC accelerator and meat‑processing financing — and said HVADC provides technical assistance, loan packaging and connections to lenders and cooperative lenders.
Board members discussed how Washington County producers could apply, possible cooperative financing and the program timelines. Erling said the grant programs are reimbursement‑based and farmers often need interim financing; HVADC is coordinating with lenders to bridge that gap. The board did not take formal action but asked staff to share application links and to coordinate outreach for county producers.
