CDFA ANNOUNCES AVAILABLE FUNDING FOR DAIRY DIGESTER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

SACRAMENTO, January 12, 2015 - The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) is now accepting applications for the Dairy Digester Research and Development  Program (DDRDP), authorized by the Budget Act of 2014. CDFA was appropriated monies from the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund to provide financial assistance for the installation of dairy digesters in California, which will result in reduced greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. 

“Digester technology is precisely the kind of innovation that California farmers are known for,” said CDFA Secretary Karen Ross. “It promotes low carbon fuels, agricultural energy efficiency and other operational advantages. We are very encouraged about the potential of this program.” 

Agricultural regions, including disadvantaged communities in the Central Valley as identified by the California Environmental Protection Agency using CalEnviroScreen, will benefit from reduced GHG emissions and improved air and water quality protections. Additionally, Central Valley dairy farmers will have revenue generation potential by converting agricultural waste into clean energy that can be used on-farm or off-site as transportation fuel or electricity.

An estimated $11 million in competitive grant funding will be awarded to provide financial assistance for the installation of dairy digesters that result in reduced greenhouse gas emissions and provide other environmental benefits.

Applicants must access the Application Guidelines for detailed information and program requirements. Applications must be submitted electronically on the CDFA grant submission website by Monday, February 23, 2015 at 5:00 p.m. PST.
 
CDFA will hold application workshops and a webinar to provide information on program requirements and the application process (see below). There is no cost to attend the workshops or webinar, however, registration is required. Space is limited at each workshop location. Individuals planning to attend must email grants@cdfa.ca.gov with their contact information, number of seats required and workshop location. Further details will be provided upon confirmation of registration.
Visit the CDFA DDRDP website at www.cdfa.ca.gov/go/dd.

Tulare– January 21, 2015
1:00 to 3:00 p.m.
University of California Cooperative Extension Tulare County
4437 S. Laspina Street (Across the street from World Ag Expo)
Room: Tulare County Agricultural Building Auditorium
Tulare, CA 93274

Webinar– January 27, 2015
1:00 to 3:00 p.m.
Space is limited. Reserve your Webinar seat at:
https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/255870386
Webinar Information will be provided upon registration

Sacramento – January 28, 2015
1:00 to 3:00 p.m.
California Department of Food and Agriculture
1220 N Street
Room: Auditorium
Sacramento, CA 95814             
 
Prospective applicants may contact CDFA’s Grants Office at grants@cdfa.ca.gov with general program questions.

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