DAIRY FARMERS OF AMERICA RECEIVES $46 MILLION USDA ADVANCING MARKETS FOR PRODUCERS (AMP) GRANT
Cooperative News

DAIRY FARMERS OF AMERICA RECEIVES $46 MILLION USDA ADVANCING MARKETS FOR PRODUCERS (AMP) GRANT

Multi-year USDA funding will advance conservation across DFA farms, support small-farm innovation, and connect producers to value-added market opportunities 

Kansas City, Kan. (February 12, 2026) — Dairy Farmers of America (DFA), a national dairy cooperative owned by 9,500 farmer-owners, has been awarded up to $46 million from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Advancing Markets for Producers (AMP) program — an investment designed to open new market pathways, help farmer-owners stay competitive, and support practices for the farm that can strengthen long-term profitability and resiliency.

This grant is especially meaningful for small farms, many of which are interested in conservation practices and can benefit from additional resources to make implementation more accessible. 

By designating funding to support conservation practices on farms, USDA is helping remove barriers and opening the door for more producers to participate in stewardship efforts they may not otherwise have had the opportunity to pursue.  

Through this multi-year voluntary program, DFA will partner with farmer-owners to accelerate the adoption of conservation practices that align with evolving customer expectations and marketplace demands. Championing these innovations strengthens environmental stewardship, unlocks access to premium and emerging markets, generates diversified revenue opportunities, and ensures DFA farmer-owners remain leaders in a dynamic and competitive marketplace.

“We’re excited to see the federal government make this kind of meaningful investment in farms at a time when milk prices are especially challenging,” said Hansel New, Assistant Vice President of Sustainability Strategy and Programs, Dairy Farmers of America. “Our farmers have a long history of environmental stewardship — these practices aren’t new to them. But this support provides even greater opportunity to explore, enhance, and adopt new or expanded conservation practices. It helps maintain our ongoing commitment to sustainability, while also strengthening opportunities for farms to connect with emerging markets. By supporting on-farm improvements and connecting producers to these new market opportunities, we’re building a stronger, more resilient future for U.S. dairy. And it’s particularly encouraging to see the USDA dedicate funding to help small farms implement these practices — a commitment that will make a real difference for producers across the country.” 

For more information about DFA and our sustainability efforts, visit here. 

Dairy Farmers of America

Dairy Farmers of America (DFA) is a farmer-owned, leading global dairy cooperative focusing on sustainability, innovation, community, and the future of family dairies. While supporting and serving 9,500 farmer-owners, DFA manufactures nearly every form, function, and flavor of high-quality nutritional dairy products, including fluid milk, cheese, butter, ice cream, dairy ingredients, and more. These products connect our Cooperative’s family farms to family tables with national and regional brands, such as Alta Dena® Dairy, Meadow Gold® Dairy, Friendly’s®, Borden® Cheese, Plugrà® Premium Butter, and Kemps®, to name a few. On a global scale, we work with some of the world’s leading food companies to develop ingredients that deliver the highest level of nutrition to consumers around the world, while staying committed to social responsibility and ethical farming. For more information, visit dfamilk.com.