New York Agriculture Grants

The Farm and Food Growth Fund (FFGF) administers a portion of New York State’s Department of Agriculture and Markets USDA Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure (RFSI) grant program. This program, funded by the American Rescue Plan (ARP) of 2021, aims to enhance, grow, and improve the mid-channel of the food supply chain within New York State. The overarching mission alignment is to expand each state’s middle-chain capacity and infrastructure for the aggregation, processing, manufacturing, storage, transporting, wholesaling, or distribution of targeted local and regional agricultural food products, excluding meat, poultry, cannabis, animal food and forage, fiber, and wild-caught seafood. The target beneficiaries of this grant program are New York State agricultural producers, processors, groups of producers and processors, nonprofit organizations, local government entities, tribal governments, and institutions such as schools, universities, or hospitals that bring producers together to establish cooperative or shared infrastructure or invest in equipment for middle-of-the-supply-chain activities. The impact goals are to increase the supply of New York-sourced food products available in New York and regional markets, benefit multiple producers and markets, and support the development of new value-added products. The program prioritizes infrastructure development to expand business capacity for processing, aggregation, storage, and distribution. Specific focuses include targeting infrastructure projects to the dairy, fruit and vegetable, and organic industries. Another key priority is to create greater market access to intermediaries like food hubs, aggregators, wholesalers, and distributors, with the goal of increasing local food sales to institutions such as schools, hospitals, and correctional facilities. Expected outcomes include expanded processing capacities, modernized equipment and facilities, increased packaging and labeling capabilities, enhanced worker safety, and greater storage space, including cold storage. The program also seeks to develop and install climate-smart equipment that reduces greenhouse gas emissions, increases water use efficiency, and improves air/water quality. Measurable results would involve an increase in New York-sourced food products in local markets, a greater number of businesses with expanded processing and distribution capacities, and an increase in local food sales to institutions, ultimately strengthening the resilience and efficiency of the state's food supply chain.

The Tompkins County Tourism Capital grants aim to foster significant investments in projects that attract visitors, such as theaters, museums, trails, and other major cultural and recreational attractions. The program's mission aligns with enhancing tourism infrastructure and experiences within Tompkins County, New York, thereby supporting the local economy and community development. This grant is provided by Tompkins County, signaling a public sector initiative to strategically invest in the region's tourism assets. The target beneficiaries include nonprofit organizations designated as 501(c)3, municipalities within Tompkins County, and Farmers Markets. The impact goals are to support new construction, renovation, and unique permanent installations that serve or promote tourism. Expected outcomes include the expansion or enhancement of existing facilities and the creation of new visitor-generating attractions, ultimately increasing tourism revenue and engagement in the county. Measurable results would be evidenced by the number and scale of new or renovated facilities, increased visitor numbers to funded projects, and the economic benefits generated. The program prioritizes capital investment projects valued at $75,000 or higher, contributing up to one-third (33%) of eligible costs. These eligible costs encompass land acquisition, building construction and renovation, acquisition of furnishings, equipment, permanent exhibitions, and design services. Additionally, the grant supports feasibility studies that lead to capital investments, including concept-level design, cost estimates, and business or tourism plans for capital projects. The focus is on tangible, long-term improvements that will sustainably promote tourism for a minimum of five years. Supported activities from past projects highlight the breadth of this program, including the Dryden Rail Trail, Stewart Park Inclusive Playground renovation, Discover Cayuga Lake’s charter boat for eco-cruises, Tompkins Center for History and Culture buildout, and visitor amenities for the Cayuga Waterfront Trail. This demonstrates a strategic priority of fostering diverse attractions that cater to various visitor interests, from outdoor recreation to cultural heritage. The underlying theory of change is that by investing in high-quality, sustainable tourism infrastructure and experiences, Tompkins County will attract more visitors, leading to economic growth and a more vibrant community.

This grant provides funding to dairy processors, associations, packaging manufacturers, and educational institutions in the Northeast to support innovative projects that improve processing and packaging in the dairy industry.

Error generating summary

This funding opportunity provides financial support to government entities in New York State for projects that protect and restore stream corridors, promoting ecological health and community engagement.

This funding opportunity provides $5 million each to two eligible regions in New York State to improve school food infrastructure, promote local farm products in school meals, and support workforce development in related fields.

This program supports climate technology innovators in New York State by providing mentorship and resources to help scale hardware solutions that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote decarbonization.

This grant provides funding to organizations and businesses in the Northeast to develop and expand dairy workforce training programs, enhancing opportunities for current and potential employees in the dairy industry.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations, food pantries, schools, and farmers markets in Columbia County, New York, to improve access to fresh and healthy food for low-income households and address food insecurity.

Farm Credit East recognizes the significance of farmers’ markets for both producers and consumers. In support of this vital marketing channel, we are offering Farmers' Market Grants of up to $500 to eligible applicants. These grants can be utilized to support participating farmers, enhance markets, improve marketing efforts, and implement programs aimed at aiding disadvantaged communities or enhancing access to fresh, local food. Please note that these grants are intended for public markets where multiple farms sell products, not for individual farm markets. Eligibility: Farmers' markets must be located within Farm Credit East’s eight-state territory: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont. Preference will be given to first-time applicants and markets serving underserved communities with limited access to fresh, local food. Awards will be granted at the sole discretion of Farm Credit East. How to Apply/Application Requirements: The 2024 application cycle is currently open. Please submit the Farmers' Market Grant Application by 4:00 PM on May 31. Recipients will be notified by late June.

County Agriculture and Farmland Protection Planning Grants in New York aim to support local efforts to sustain the economic viability of the state's agricultural industry and its land base, while also preserving the environment and landscape associated with agriculture. Eligible counties can receive grants of up to $50,000 or 50% of the planning costs (whichever is less) to develop a county agriculture and farmland protection plan. The county must contribute at least 20% in cash (with no more than 80% in in-kind services), and two counties can collaborate on an application. Counties with an established agricultural and farmland protection board that have not had an approved plan in the last ten years are eligible for funding.

This funding opportunity supports arts education projects in public schools and community settings within Fulton, Montgomery, and Saratoga Counties, aimed at enhancing hands-on learning experiences for students through collaborative artistic initiatives.

This grant provides funding to support projects that enhance the economic viability of farmers in New York by improving operational practices, fostering innovation, and developing marketing strategies.

This funding opportunity supports non-profits, municipalities, school districts, and educational service boards in New York State to improve school meal preparation infrastructure, promote local farm products, and enhance workforce development in the food industry.

This grant provides financial support to nonprofit organizations and public entities in the Berkshire Taconic region to promote and sustain small, community-based agricultural initiatives.

This program provides funding to New York dairy farmers and cooperatives for upgrading milk storage and transfer systems to improve efficiency and reduce waste.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for organizations to transport youth to county and local agricultural fairs, promoting education and community engagement in agriculture.

This program provides financial support for transportation and related costs to help youth groups attend county and local fairs, promoting agricultural education and engagement.

The FreshConnect CSA for SNAP program, managed by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, aims to increase access to fresh, locally grown produce for SNAP participants by partially subsidizing the cost of CSA shares. The program supports New York farmers and strengthens community bonds. A total of $250,000 in funding is available, with each project receiving up to $50,000. Applications are accepted until August 27, 2024, and awards are announced on a rolling basis.

The Food Safety Education Fund grants program, administered by the Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development (MDARD), is designed to enhance food safety throughout Michigan. Funded by assessments on licensed food establishments, the program aligns with a mission to protect public health by providing critical food safety training and education. This initiative directly supports the broader goal of ensuring a safe food supply for all Michigan residents. The foundation's strategic priority is to prevent foodborne illness through proactive education and the empowerment of various stakeholders within the food system. The program primarily targets two key beneficiary groups: Michigan consumers and food service establishment employees, as well as agents of the director who enforce food regulations (e.g., local health department sanitarians and MDARD food safety inspectors). The impact goal is to improve food safety knowledge and practices among these groups, ultimately reducing the incidence of foodborne illnesses. Eligibility is restricted to Michigan governmental and non-profit organizations and entities, ensuring that the grants support organizations deeply embedded in community health and public service. Producers, marketers, processors, and growers are explicitly excluded to maintain the program's focus on education and training. For the 2024-2025 grant cycle, up to $365,600 is available, with a specific allocation of $242,500 for consumer food safety education and $114,100 for food service establishment employees and regulatory agents. This demonstrates a clear prioritization of widespread public education while also fortifying the knowledge base of those directly involved in food handling and enforcement. The grant duration is typically one year, though multi-year proposals are considered on an individual basis, contingent on future funding availability. Proposals should specifically avoid requesting funding for routine or required training, such as HACCP or ServSafe certification, emphasizing a focus on innovative and supplementary educational initiatives. Proposals are evaluated based on several key criteria, including goals and objectives to improve food safety, assessment of statewide need and audience, measurable outcomes, potential for partnering with other organizations, inclusion of matching funds, and opportunities to build upon previously funded projects. These selection criteria reflect the program's theory of change, which posits that strategic partnerships, evidence-based interventions, and quantifiable results are essential for achieving sustainable improvements in food safety. The expected outcomes include a more informed public, better-trained food service professionals, and more effective enforcement of food safety regulations, all contributing to a safer food environment across Michigan.