Establish a Dairy Farm Operation
If you have experience in dairy production and a goal of owning your own dairy farm, the Center for Dairy Excellence wants to help you achieve that goal in Pennsylvania.
Center for Farm Transitions
The Center for Farm Transitions was initiated by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture to provide a one-stop source of information and services to dairy farmers who are in a transition. Through the Center for Farm Transitions, each farmer will receive information, referrals and consultations regarding his or her distinct situation.
Additional resources for beginning producers
The following Web sites can be valuable resources to producers considering establishing a new dairy operation or expanding an existing one.
Penn State Dairy Farm Resource Planning Guide is a resource listing for producers considering expansion or establishing a new dairy operation. This site lists many of the important, necessary items to be considered to assist you in thinking through the entire process before you begin the project. It also lists contact information related to all aspects of planning.
PAgrows under the direction of Secretary of Agriculture Dennis Wolff, specializes in helping farmers, food processors, farmers market operators, and other agricultural businesses put all of the pieces of this lending puzzle together. It pairs financial assistance from the Department of Community and Economic Development with technical assistance from PDA to help everyone in the process.
Pennsylvania Farm Link is a non-profit organization dedicated to the mission of "creating farming opportunities for the next generation.” Their web site provides documents and information to aid in transitioning farms to the next generation or getting started into farming.
An array of grants and loans are available to help new and beginning producers get started in Pennsylvania. Click here to view those.