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 program is designed to help farms identify and secure public funding for on-farm investments without the time burden and complexity often associated with grant applications.
The 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.
"Dairy farmers are constantly looking for innovative ways to invest in their operations, but grant funding can feel out of reach when you're already juggling everything it takes to run a farm," said Farrah Newberry, CEO of The Dairy Alliance. "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. The company 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. For more information about The Dairy Alliance, visit https://thedairyalliance.com.
"Many farmers have strong project ideas but don't have the time or resources to navigate the grant process on their own," said Nicole Rojas, co-founder of Lasso. "Partnering with The Dairy Alliance allows us 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.
For business and technology leaders, this initiative represents a significant development in agricultural technology adoption and operational efficiency. By leveraging professional grant-writing services, dairy farmers can access capital that might otherwise remain untapped, potentially accelerating technological upgrades and sustainability improvements across the industry. The program's focus on reducing administrative burdens allows farmers to concentrate on core operations while still pursuing growth opportunities through public funding mechanisms.
The partnership between The Dairy Alliance and Lasso demonstrates how targeted support services can bridge the gap between available funding and practical implementation in traditional industries. With Lasso's reported 90 percent success rate in securing grants, this pilot could serve as a model for other agricultural sectors seeking to modernize operations through strategic partnerships and professional grant management services.
