"Agriculture remains a major sector of our economy and by supporting the development of early-stage farmers, these businesses will continue to provide fresh, local produce for New Yorkers across the state," Governor Cuomo said. "This grant fund will bolster our agricultural industry by providing both veterans and farmers the support they need to expand, and thrive."
New Farmers Grant
Fund
Now in its fourth round, the $1 million New Farmers Grant
Fund will provide grants of up to $50,000 to assist with up to 50 percent of
eligible project costs. To qualify, all farm business owners must be within the
first ten years of having an ownership interest in any farm business, and the
farm must have a minimum of $10,000 in income from sales of products grown or
raised on the farm. Eligible project costs include the purchase of machinery, equipment,
supplies, and the construction or improvement of agricultural structures.
More than $1 million was awarded to 27 new and early-stage
farms across the state in the third round of the New Farmers Grant Fund. Since
its launch in 2014, the program has provided nearly $2.5 million to over 65
farms across the state to expand operations and improve profitability.
Veterans Farmer Grant
Fund
A new $250,000 grant program, the New York State Veterans
Farmer Grant Fund, will also provide grants of up to $50,000 for up to 50
percent of eligible project costs. To qualify, at least 50 percent of the farm
business must be owned, operated and controlled by a veteran, as defined in the
program guidelines. The farm must also have a minimum of $10,000 in farm
income; however, this program is not limited to beginning farmers. Eligible
project costs are the same as for the New Farmers Grant Fund. Empire State
Development, in consultation with the New York State Department of Agriculture
and Markets, administers the grant funds. The applications and guidelines for
the New Farmers Grant Fund and the Veterans Farm Grant Fund are available
online. The deadline for submission is January 26, 2018.
These grant programs are central to the state's efforts to
grow New York's agricultural industry through strategic investments in the next
generation of farmers. Currently, the average age of New York farmers is
approximately 55. At the same time, there is greater interest from women,
veterans, new Americans, and others in beginning a career or starting a second
career in farming.
This year, at the direction of Governor Cuomo, the State
Department of Agriculture and Markets established a Beginning Farmer Program,
including a one-stop shop, to help these groups overcome obstacles to entering
the profession and maintaining a successful agricultural operation in New York.
Through the program, the Department launched a statewide listening tour to
address challenges facing early-stage farmers and to provide information about
existing resources available to them. Additional resources for new or
prospective farmers are available on the Department's website, or by contacting
the one-stop shop at (718) 722-2668 or nyc@agriculture.ny.gov.
