In 2024, Midwest Dairy launched a free grant writing support program for on-farm projects in partnership with Lasso. Often described as a “grant writer in a box,” Lasso helps farmers identify, apply for, and manage grant opportunities that support their operations. Acting as a grant-writing handyman, the Lasso team provides hands-on support at every step of the process. To participate, farmers must be open to pursuing grants, have a defined project in mind with potential installers, vendors, or service providers identified, and be willing to serve as a case study for Midwest Dairy. With more funding available than ever to support sustainable businesses —and many dairy farmers eligible —this program is opening new doors across the 10-state region.
Kevin Knapp (IA)
Knapp Time Dairy, owned by Kevin and Cari Knapp, is located in northwest Iowa. The dairy is planning a major expansion to improve efficiency and transition its farm to the next generation. The Knapps aim to expand and modernize their dairy by transitioning from a tie-stall barn and installing five Lely A5 Robots in a free-stall barn. The robots will milk 320 cows, with the remainder of the herd milked in the tie-stall barn, for a total of 450 cows. Their current milking routine is labor-intensive, and the new system will significantly reduce labor demands, enhance cow comfort, increase milk production, and lower physical strain on workers.
The size and scope of this project were overwhelming, but when Kevin read about available grants through the Iowa State Dairy Association and Midwest Dairy, the opportunity caught his attention. In 2025, they seized the opportunity to collaborate with Midwest Dairy partner Lasso, which made a significant difference. Lasso’s clear structure, professional guidance, and reassurance helped them move forward with confidence. In the end, the Knapps worked with Lasso to prepare a grant application for the Choose Iowa Dairy Grant. Grant funding allowed Knapp Time Dairy to complete a transformative expansion that reduces labor, improves cow comfort, and positions their family farm for the next generation.
Piet van Bedaf (ND)
Van Bedaf’s Dairy, a North Dakota-based family dairy, produces high-quality A2A2 milk. With growing demand for A2A2 dairy products and increased milk throughput needs, the farm sought to upgrade its milk storage and cooling infrastructure. Their goal was to support market growth, improve sustainability, and build long-term operations by capturing energy savings. By securing grant funding, the dairy could invest in infrastructure improvements necessary for production growth and sustainability.
Piet van Bedaf initially learned about value-added agricultural grants, including the North Dakota Agriculture Diversification and Development Grant, through personal connections and state agencies. At the beginning of the grant process, van Bedaf was unaware of the support available through Midwest Dairy and its partnership with Lasso. Once he began working with Lasso, the grant application process became far more manageable. The Lasso team brought clarity and structure, particularly in developing a business plan that resonated with the grant reviewers. The awarded grant funds were used to install a heat recovery system to capture waste heat from refrigeration compressors, improving compressor efficiency and preheating water, increasing milk production capacity, expanding on-farm storage to meet growing milk demands, and supporting the scaling up of A2A2 milk bottling operations. Securing grant funding allowed Van Bedaf Dairy to modernize its cooling and storage systems, laying the foundation for sustainable expansion and increased production.
Through improved energy efficiency and enhanced capacity, the farm is now better positioned to meet market demand and contribute to the regional agricultural economy. The project also reinforced the value of expert support in navigating grant applications, turning a complex process into a streamlined success.
Stacey Demmer (IA)
Demmer Family Farms is a second-generation dairy and crop operation in rural Iowa. The Demmer family milks 180 cows using three VMS robotic milking systems. Every other day, 30,000 pounds of milk are delivered to
Wapsie Valley, a local, family-owned cheese producer known for its preference for high-butterfat milk. The farm has adopted modern technology in some areas, but other daily tasks remain time-consuming and physically demanding.
Like many farms, Demmer Family Farms faces the challenges of an ongoing labor shortage, especially with essential but repetitive tasks each day, like pushing feed or monitoring herd health. To address this, the family
planned to invest in two pieces of equipment: an OptiDuo Feed Pusher and a BA200 Ear Tag Monitoring System. The combined impact of these tools would be significant —saving about $12,000 in labor costs annually and increasing milk output by approximately 6%, translating to an estimated $60,000 in added revenue. The tools would also prepare the farm for the future. Stacey Demmer first learned about the Choose Iowa grant opportunity through an industry publication, and the grant supported labor-reducing technology, like the feed pusher. She had applied for the Choose Iowa grant in the previous year, but without success. For the second attempt, Midwest Dairy’s partnership with Lasso came into play. Lasso helped her significantly improve and expand the content, making the application stronger.
By partnering with Lasso, Stacey submitted a complete and competitive application, backed by project quotes, a timeline, and proof of financial match. For Demmer Family Farms, the investment in labor-saving technology was a practical decision rooted in long-term planning. It offered a way to increase productivity, reduce repetitive tasks, and create a more sustainable.
To learn more about Lasso’s grant process, please visit www.midwestdairy.com/lasso.