In 2024, Midwest Dairy launched a free grant-writing support program for on-farm projects in partnership with Lasso. This tool will again be offered in 2025, with the goal of increasing awareness and access to public funding opportunities for Midwest dairy farmers.
Lasso is described as a “grant writer in a box”. Lasso is a platform that helps individuals or organization secure grants by identifying, applying for, and managing grant opportunities on behalf of farmers. More funding than ever is available to support sustainable businesses, and many dairy farmers qualify for these opportunities. Now is your turn to apply!
The Lasso team will act as your grant-writer handyman, identifying, applying for, and managing grant opportunities on your behalf. To participate, farmers must be open to grants, have a specific project in mind with potential installers/vendors/service providers identified, and be willing to serve as a case study for Midwest Dairy.
For more details about our Lasso Grant Writing Support, visit MidwestDairy.com. If selected for this pilot, you will receive Lasso’s grant-writing services for free. Reach out to nicole@joinlasso.com or (312)-833-7726 by February 28, 2025, for more information on grants available in the first half of the year.
Click here to see an example of a past successful Lasso grant participant.
Grant Opportunities include:
Rural Energy for America Program
- Overview: Available for agricultural producers and small rural businesses
- Funding: Covers 25 percent of project costs, up to one million dollars
- Eligible Projects: Renewable energy systems (e.g., solar, wind, anaerobic digester), energy efficiency improvements (e.g., grain dryer upgrades, replacing diesel generator with solar, lighting, refrigeration, HVAC)
- Deadline: March 31, 2025 (latest day to start working with Lasso: March 1, 2025)
Value-Added Producer Grant (VAPG)
- Max Award: Up to $75,000 for planning grants, $250,000 for working capital
- Eligible Projects: Producing or marketing a value-added agricultural product
- Planning: Conducting feasibility studies, developing business or marketing plans
- Working Capital: Processing costs, marketing and advertising expenses, some inventory and salary expenses
- Deadline: Open, due April 17, 2025
Dairy Business Builder (DBIA)
- Max Award: Up to $100,000
- Eligible Projects: Dairy farm diversification, creation of value-added dairy products, enhancement of the value of a dairy commodity or by-product, or creation/expansion of a program for exporting dairy products
- Deadline: Opens February 3, 2025, and due April 2, 2025
Please note, Midwest Dairy’s collaboration with Lasso does not constitute an endorsement of their goods and service.