NYS Offers Money for Farmland Protection Programs

A total of $5.5 million is available through two new grant opportunities to advance farmland protection efforts throughout the state. 

Both programs will help preserve viable farmland in agricultural production, protecting it from development and conversion to non-farm uses. 

The funding will also help farmers identify available land and expedite the process of permanently protecting agricultural properties through perpetual conservation easements. 

These new initiatives are the result of the Governor's pledge in his 2017 State of the State address to improve regional collaboration to enhance farmland conservation efforts statewide.  

"Agriculture remains a critically important part of New York's economy, and the protection and preservation of farmlands is crucial to the continued growth and future success of this industry," Gov. Andrew Cuomo said. "These new grant programs will help maintain the economic viability of our farms, preserve our agricultural landscape and help ensure the strength of our food supply for current and future generations of New Yorkers." 

Expanding New York's Farmland Protection Implementation Program

For the first time, the state's farmland protection program has been expanded to allow eligible applicants to implement an Option to Purchase a Perpetual Conservation Easement, also called an Option Agreement Project. 

This Option Agreement Project will lay the groundwork for landowners interested in permanently protecting their farms by pre-determining the value of development rights, which expedites the process when a formal application is submitted for the purchase of a perpetual conservation easement. 

This new initiative provides a total of $5 million to eligible applicants, including municipalities, counties, soil and water conservation districts and land trusts. Grants of up to $500,000 will be awarded to cover costs associated with obtaining and administering an Option Agreement Project.

All applicants must submit their proposals through Grants Gateway at  https://grantsgateway.ny.gov/IntelliGrants_NYSGG/module/nysgg/goportal.aspx?NavItem1=3 

Applications can be submitted starting today and will be accepted until the available funding is fully committed. 

More information about the application process is available on the Department of Agriculture and Markets website at  www.agriculture.ny.gov/RFPS.html. For questions, contact David Behm at David.Behm@agriculture.ny.gov

This new funding opportunity builds on the State's Farmland Protection Implementation Grant program, which helps cover the costs of buying a perpetual conservation easement, ensuring that valuable farmland remains in agricultural production forever. 

The state has revitalized this program and committed historic funding to safeguard one of its most vital resources. 

Since 2011, the state has invested more than $62 million in 82 conservation projects statewide. The 2017-18 State Budget includes another $20 million for the program and the governor proposed another $20 million for the program this week in his 2018-19 budget proposal.

Advancing Regional Farmland Conservation Strategies

The new $500,000 Land Trust Grants program was created to advance farmland protection strategies identified by counties and municipalities throughout the state. The program provides competitive grants of up to $50,000 to land trusts. 

The funding will help develop local inventories of viable farmland and inform landowners of programs and opportunities to protect their properties from conversion to non-farm uses.  It will also help expand outreach efforts to better connect willing landowners with farmers interested in leasing or buying their properties for agricultural production.

Applicants must apply through https://grantsgateway.ny.gov/IntelliGrants_NYSGG/module/nysgg/goportal.aspx?NavItem1=3 starting today through March 5, 2018.

More details on eligibility and the application process are available at https://www.agriculture.ny.gov/RFPS.html  or buy emailing Jeffrey Kehoe at jeffrey.kehoe@agriculture.ny.gov 

Improving Outreach to Enhance Farmland Protection

"Through Governor Cuomo's innovative strategies, we can eliminate some of the major barriers facing current and future farmers," said Agriculture Commissioner Richard Ball. "Access to land is one of the biggest hurdles. Without land, they can't farm and without farming, we have no food.  

"I am excited to implement these new opportunities to encourage conservation efforts and keep agricultural operations up and running for generations to come," Ball said..

Cuomo Announces Money for CAFO Waste Storage Programs

From staff reports
 
The state has awarded $20 million to implement water quality protection projects on 56 farms across the state.
 
The money was provided through the first round of the Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO) Waste Storage and Transfer System Program. It supports projects that will allow livestock farms to better manage and store nutrients, such as manure, to protect ground water and nearby waterways.
 
The program is a part of Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s $2.5 billion Clean Water Infrastructure Act of 2017 which invests an unprecedented level of resources for drinking water, wastewater infrastructure and other water quality protections statewide.
 
“Agriculture remains a key part of New York’s economy and this funding will help farms in every corner of this state protect drinking water supplies and waterways, while also remaining competitive,” Cuomo said in making the award announcement Dec. 20. 

“With this program, we are supporting New York’s economy and ensuring our essential natural resources are preserved for years to come,” he said.
 
Through the program, 61 waste storage and transfer systems will be installed on CAFO-permitted farms in 25 counties throughout the state. Grants will help offset the cost of construction, site preparation and associated best management practices. 

Funded projects will also help farmers meet the state Department of Environmental Conservation’s new environmental requirements first announced in January of this year.
 
The money is being provided to County Soil and Water Conservation Districts, which applied on behalf of eligible farmers, in the Capital Region, Central New York, Finger Lakes, Mohawk Valley, North Country, Southern Tier, and Western New York Regions. 

A list of the award totals is available at https://www.agriculture.ny.gov/Press%20Releases/CAFO_WST_System_Rnd1_Awards.pdf#_blank

“The grant money under the governor’s water infrastructure plan will build on the agricultural community’s strong record of environmental stewardship,” said David Fisher, president of New York Farm Bureau. 

“The cost sharing assistance provides more flexibility on farms to manage nutrients, which helps protect water quality for all New Yorkers. New York Farm Bureau appreciates the public-private partnership, especially as livestock farmers are putting new environmental management plans in place to meet tougher CAFO regulations,” he said.
 
“One of the biggest responsibilities our farmers have is to be good stewards of the land and other natural resources they use. Through this funding, our state’s hardworking farmers can continue the important work they do to support New York’s leading industry, and at the same time, continue their efforts to be leaders when it comes to implementing environmentally safe practices,” said state Sen. Patty Ritchie, chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee.
 
“The governor’s historic clean water initiative is critical to ensuring the quality and sustainability of our natural resources and our farms,” said state Commissioner of Agriculture and Markets Richard Ball. 

“We received more applications than we were able to fund through the first round of this program, which shows the strong commitment of our livestock operations to environmental stewardship," Ball said. "We look forward to releasing the second Request for Proposals in the coming year to benefit even more farms as they strive to maintain nutrient recycling year-round.”

New York Farm Bureau Presents Awards at Annual Meeting

New York Farm Bureau presented a number of awards at its recent annual meeting in Albany.


New York Farm Bureau handed out the Distinguished Service to Agriculture Award to two worthy individuals whose leadership has made a positive impact on New York Farm Bureau and agriculture in this state. 

Trezise

The awardees were Jim Trezise, retired president of the New York Wine and Grape Foundation and member of Yates County Farm Bureau, and Joe Giroux of Plattsburgh, a dairy farmer, member of Clinton County Farm Bureau and former New York Farm Bureau State Director.

New York Farm Bureau announced that two members received the James Quinn Award that recognizes extraordinary efforts by individual Farm Bureau members during the course of a given year “to serve and strengthen agriculture.” 

The honorees are Jay Douglas from Franklin County Farm Bureau for his leadership and tireless work signing up 50 new members and Christina Hudson of Onondaga County Farm Bureau for her creative promotion and education efforts in her county.

The New York State Commissioner of Agriculture and Markets, Richard Ball, joined more than 300 members at the event. Senator Pamela Helming and Assembly Members Bill Magee and Carrie Woerner also attended along with Deputy Secretary of Agriculture and Markets Pat Hooker.

In addition, delegates re-elected district representatives to the State Board of Directors. Those elected are Richard Kimball of Chautauqua County in District 1, John Sorbello of Wayne County in District 3, Paul Fouts of Cortland County in District 5, Tony LaPierre of Clinton County in District 7, Darin Hickling of Otsego County in District 9 and Robert Nolan of Long Island in District 11. 

Kristen Brown of Orange County was also re-elected as the Young Farmers and Ranchers Chair on the State Board and Phyllis Couture of Cattaraugus County was re-elected as the Promotion and Education Chairperson on the State Board.

The State Annual Meeting also serves as an important fundraising opportunity for the New York Farm Bureau Foundation for Agricultural Education. This year, through both a silent and a live auction, members raised nearly $10,000 to support the Foundation’s efforts to inform and educate all New Yorkers regarding agriculture and to increase understanding of agriculture between the farm and non-farm public.

This concluded the annual two-day long meeting where public policy resolutions were discussed and voted on to set NYFB’s 2018 public policy agenda.

State Ag Commissioner Hosts Meeting to Help New Farmers

Meeting coming up for new and beginning farmers.

Go to http://www.watertowndailytimes.com/news03/state-agriculture-commissioner-hosts-meeting-to-help-new-farmers--20170911 to see the story.

Some Changes Coming to 2017 Census of Agriculture

From the state Department of Agriculture and Markets:

State Agriculture Commissioner Richard Ball has highlighted changes to the 2017 Census of Agriculture, which will be mailed out to farmers later this year. 

The Census of Agriculture is the only complete count of U.S. farms and ranches and their operators. An accurate Census of Agriculture is vitally important to New York farms and rural communities because of its role in driving funding and program support at the federal level. 

Changes to this year’s Census of Agriculture include: the collection of data on active-duty and military veteran farmers, more detailed information on marketing practices, and the launch of an improved online questionnaire.
 
“The Census of Agriculture is an extremely valuable tool for communities. The data it collects helps track New York’s strengths in agriculture and its importance to the economy, and it helps us identify trends to capitalize on to further grow the industry," said Ball. "All farmers should participate in the count — the results directly affect the funding of research, marketing and other programs that support our farms.”
 
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service conducts the Census of Agriculture. The last Census of Agriculture was conducted in 2012. 

This year, the Census will again gather information on farms and ranches growing fruits, vegetables or raising animals, as long as $1,000 or more of such products were raised and sold or normally would have been sold during the census year. 

In addition to standard questions, the Census will also include a new question on active-duty and military veteran farmers to better understand if farming has become a viable career path for our servicemen and women, and to help direct outreach and programs toward veterans.
 
The 2017 Census of Agriculture will also seek additional information about marketing practices to gain insight into the value of agricultural products sold for consumption. As a result, the information on the number of farms participating in direct marketing and the dollar value of direct marketing sales. 

This will help the industry understand the value of food sales directly to consumers and sales to retail markets, institutions, and food hubs.
 
The census questionnaire will be mailed to more than three million U.S. farmers this December. NASS is encouraging farmers to respond online this year. The improved online questionnaire is convenient, intuitive and accessible on any electronic device. It will be available on the NASS website starting November 27, 2017.
 
“The Census of Agriculture remains the only source of uniform, comprehensive, and impartial agriculture data for every county in the nation,” said Blair Smith, National Agricultural Statistics Service New York State Statistician. 

“As such, census results are relied upon heavily by those who serve farmers and rural communities, including federal, state and local governments, agribusinesses, trade associations, extension educators, researchers, and farmers and ranchers themselves,”
Smith said.
 
Census of Agriculture responses are due by Feb. 5, 2018. The results will be available beginning in February 2019, in aggregate form only, to ensure that no individual operation or producer can be identified as required by federal law.
 
For more information about the census, please visit the NASS website, follow NASS on Twitter @usda_nass, or call (800) 727-9540.

It's County Fair Time!!!

With summer vacation comes one very important event: the annual county fair.

The county fair season in New York State is up and running with the start this week of the Goshen Racing Fair and the Cortland Youth Fair.

More than 50 county and youth fairs will run from the July 4 weekend through early late September, closing out the season at the Long Island Fair Sept. 15-17 and Sept. 22-24.

The Jefferson County Fair in Watertown is celebrating its 200th anniversary this year. The fair, running from July 11-16, is the longest consecutively running fair in the United States.

County fairs across New York state provide fairgoers with family-friendly fun, great music and food, but also a unique opportunity to learn about local agriculture, including where our food comes from.

"Every summer, millions of New Yorkers gear up for their local county fair and take part as exhibitors, competitors and visitors," said state Agriculture Commissioner Richard Ball. 

"We have a great story to tell about our farmers and the hard work they do, and the county fairs provide New Yorkers a first-hand opportunity to learn about our vital agriculture industry," Ball said.

Fairgoers can find a county fair in all 10 regions of the state. A listing of  county fairs can be found at http://www.nyfairs.org/Fairsbydate.htm

New York State Fair Obtains Sponsors for Fair's Butter Sculpture, Milk Bar

From the New York State Fair:

Two companies with significant ties to New York state agriculture will sponsor the signature attractions at the Great New York State Fair’s Dairy Products Building.  

Tully’s Good Times restaurants will sponsor the milk sold at the fair’s famous Milk Bar, while Wegmans Food Markets will sponsor the American Dairy Association’s Butter Sculpture, Acting Fair Director Troy Waffner announced June 9.

This year, the Tully’s logo will appear on each of the seven-ounce cups of perfectly chilled white or chocolate milk sold at the Milk Bar. Last year, 398,059 cups of milk were sold at 25 cents a cup, representing a complete sellout of the milk available.  

All of the milk and buttermilk products sold at Tully’s come from Central New York dairy processor Byrne Dairy. Byrne Dairy also supplies the milk for the Milk Bar.  

In addition to dairy, Tully’s buys produce from local farms in-season. The long-time Fair vendor operates restaurants across Upstate NY under the Tully’s, CopperTop Tavern and Good Buddy’s Pub brands.

The Butter Sculpture is created and operated by Syracuse-based American Dairy Association North East, which represents all dairy farmers in New York state. The butter used to make the iconic sculpture comes from New York sources. 

It was a first stop for many of the fair’s more than 1 million visitors in 2016 and veteran fairgoers eagerly await its unveiling the day before the fair opens each year. This year’s sponsor of the Butter Sculpture, Rochester-based Wegmans, is a leader in the grocery industry in selling and using locally grown and made products and is annually rated among the nation’s very best employers.  

"These new partnerships are an exciting addition to this year's fair and to the Milk Bar, which is a long-standing tradition for fairgoers," said Agriculture and Markets Commissioner Richard Ball. "We are pleased to continue our mission of promoting the very best of New York agriculture and shining the spotlight on our dairy industry at Great New York State Fair."

“We are proud to bring these first-ever sponsorships into the Dairy Products Building as they will support our long-term plan to reenergize this vital piece of the fair," said Waffner. 

"We thank them for their investment and want fairgoers and dairy farmers to know that our goal going forward, as stewards of New York agriculture, is to find new ways to link more New Yorkers to our great dairy products as we have done with other New York products at the fair,”  Waffner said.

Farmers Should Sign Up Now for Taste NY Thruway Sites

From New York Thruway Authority

The Thruway Authority and the State Department of Agriculture and Markets  encourages farmers across New York state to sign up to sell their products at service areas along the Thruway this season.
 
For years, New York state has been committed to showcasing some of its finest vendors and their products. From locally grown fruits and vegetables to some of the most superb cheese and herbs in the northeast, promoting these products to travelers continues to be a priority.
 
“Providing motorists with exceptional service in every aspect of our system is paramount in all that we do,” said Thruway Authority Acting Executive Director Bill Finch.
 
“Continuing to expand our Taste NY Farmers’ Markets to offer travelers access to locally grown, healthy foods while also helping to create agricultural jobs in New York is an initiative that all of us at the Thruway Authority take great pride in and I encourage farmers to take part in this program,” Finch said.
 
The Thruway Authority has outdoor farmers’ market locations at service areas across the state. Last year, nearly one dozen farmers from regions all across New York participated in the markets at 19 service areas, reaching millions of visitors who travel the Thruway throughout the spring and summer months.
 
A list of Thruway Authority service area locations is available here -- http://www.thruway.ny.gov/travelers/travelplazas/index.cgi
 
“Farmers’ markets are a welcome addition to the Thruway’s service areas,” said state Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball. “They highlight each of the region’s agricultural strengths and provide our farmers a unique opportunity to connect with new consumers.
 
“Taste NY Farmers’ Markets also give travelers healthy food options and a chance to interact in person with our state’s great producers,” Ball said.
 
New York vendors interested in selling food products at Taste NY Farmers’ Markets should email TravelersServices@thruway.ny.gov for more information on how to participate this season.
 
Taste NY is an initiative launched by Gov. Andrew Cuomo in 2013 to promote New York’s food and beverage industries.
 
It is overseen by the Department of Agriculture and Markets and has created opportunities for local producers to showcase their goods at a variety of venues throughout the state and at large public events, such as the Great New York State Fair and the Barclays Tournament at Bethpage State Park. 

State Warns Poultry Farmers About Avian Flu

From State Department of Agriculture and Markets

State Department of Agriculture and Markets Commissioner Richard A. Ball has reminded New York poultry farmers to practice biosecurity measures to prevent the spread of avian influenza.
 
Two cases of highly pathogenic H7N9 avian influenza have been reported in Tennessee and several cases of a less serious strain have been reported in Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky and Wisconsin. No cases have been reported in New York.
 
The avian influenza strains detected in other states are not considered to be threats to public health, but can be deadly to birds.
 
To prevent avian influenza from infecting poultry flocks in New York State, the Department is encouraging poultry producers and visitors to farms to follow best practices, which include:
 
** Discourage unnecessary visitors and use biosecurity signs to warn people not to enter buildings without permission
** Ask all visitors if they have had any contact with any birds in the past five days
** Forbid entry to employees and visitors who own any kind of fowl
** Require all visitors to cover and disinfect all footwear
** Lock all entrances to chicken houses after hours
** Avoid non-essential vehicular traffic on-farm
** After hauling birds to processors, clean and disinfect poultry transport coops and vehicles before they return to the farm
 
Report anything unusual, especially sick or dead birds, to the state Department of Agriculture and Markets.

Baby Care Centers Coming to the NYS Fairgrounds

From Gov. Andrew Cuomo's office

The 2017 Great New York State Fair will feature new Baby Care Centers, providing families with a comfortable, supervised and air-conditioned place to care for their children. 

Each Baby Care Center has private space for nursing mothers, as well as a clean, staffed area where parents can change diapers or relax with their small children. The four Baby Care Centers will be placed around the fairgrounds to allow quick and convenient access for parents.

The buildings are attractive and welcoming, with comfortable seating and dormers to provide natural light. The Amish Structures company, based in Manlius, built the 20-foot A-frame structures. 

Carpenters from the New York State Fair are fitting up the interior, and grounds crews are landscaping the exterior. The buildings will also be available for rent to the private firms that host large-scale events on the Fairgrounds during the year.

"We are committed to enhancing every aspect of the Fair experience and these Baby Care Centers will provide additional comfort and peace of mind to parents taking part in this great New York tradition," said Gov. Andrew Cuomo. "Our unprecedented investment in promoting the fair in Central New York helps drive attendance, fueling the local economy and spurring tourism – allowing this region to grow and thrive for years to come."

"The governor’s vision for the fair focuses on making enhancements to the grounds that will improve the fairgoer experience," said Ag and Markets Commissioner Richard Ball. "These new Baby Centers are a welcome addition to the Fair, providing a great new amenity for families with young children and complementing the work that’s been done already to take the Fair to the next level."

"We’re excited to be able to provide this service to families of young children," said Acting Fair Director Troy Waffner. "It will make it easier for families to enjoy their day at the Fair and it is one more way that we are responding to the needs of our fairgoers."

The new Baby Care Centers are part of the  ongoing efforts to improve access and amenities for all fairgoers. Some of the other elements include improving access to buildings for people with mobility issues, adding seating and shade throughout the grounds, and providing interpreters for fair events and concerts. The fair’s leadership meets regularly with interest groups to solicit feedback and suggestions for improvements.

The project builds on several years of major improvements at the fairgrounds, the home of the nation’s oldest state fair. The improvements began with the state's investment of $50 million, which resulted in a new Main Gate, first-ever RV park, a new home for the Midway and many other enhancements that debuted in 2016.

For 2017, the Baby Care Centers are a part of additional planned improvements, including a new and larger home for the New York State Police exhibit, a revitalized Turtle Mound stage and other improvements in the Indian Village, and a new sky ride along the Wade Shows Midway. 

Taste NY Food Truck Competition Expands at New York State Fair

From the state Department of Agriculture and Markets:

The Great New York State Fair today (Feb. 15) announced that its Taste NY Food Truck Competition will expand to two days for the 2017 Fair.  

The competition to find the best entrée, served by food truck chefs and made with New York state grown and produced ingredients, will take place Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 2 and 3.  Food trucks entered in the competition will be located around Chevy Court.

 

“Taste NY represents the very best of New York agriculture and having our food truck chefs cook up exciting, new dishes for our panel of judges and for fairgoers is a great way to promote New York grown and produced foods," said Ag and Markets Commissioner Richard Ball. "With the competition expanded to two days, we look forward to seeing every region of New York state represented.”
 

“The 2016 competition featured some amazing food and big crowds of people waiting patiently to buy a sample," said Acting State Fair Director Troy Waffner. "We’re expanding the competition to a second day so more people can participate and enjoy some of the best foods grown and made in New York state.”

To take part in the competition, food truck operators design signature entrées using primarily New York state products. A panel of judges made up of food industry experts and enthusiasts will sample the entrees to select a Judges’ Choice winner on both Saturday and Sunday.  

Truck vendors can then sell sample-sized portions of their entrée for $3 to fairgoers, who can cast one vote for the entrée they liked best. Those votes will then be tallied to declare the People’s Choice winners.  

Each daily winner of the Judges’ Choice and People’s Choice will receive a $750 gift card to Maines Food and Party Warehouse, while the People’s Choice runner-up will receive a portable generator on each day.

 

Registration is now underway for food truck operators who would like to take part in the competition.  Visit http://nysfair.ny.gov/competitions/food-truck-competition/ for details and an entry form.

 

In 2016, Silo Food Truck of Ovid won the Judges’ Choice award for its Telekinetic Fried Chicken, a fried drumstick over a slaw flavored with peach and raspberry and purple sticky rice, while The Meatball Cup from The Meatball Truck of Rochester won the People’s Choice.  

More than 2,500 fairgoers voted in the competition.

County Fairs Eligible for State Money for Fair Improvements

From GOV. ANDREW CUOMO’S OFFICE
 
A total of $5 million is being awarded to county and youth fairs across the state through the Agricultural Fairgrounds Infrastructure Improvement Program. 
 
Fifty-six local fairs can receive more than $89,000 to offset the cost of improvement and renovation projects, including new construction. This is the first time in nearly a decade that the state’s more than four dozen local fairs will receive critical infrastructure improvement funds.
 
“These fairs are a part of New York’s rich tradition and help showcase the pride and heritage of communities in every corner of this great state,” said Gov. Andrew Cuomo. “These investments will help these fairs attract more visitors, raise the profile of local vendors and businesses, and help spur economic growth across New York.”
 
The $5 million has been divided equally among the state’s local fairs. Each fair will be eligible for an award of $89,285. To receive the funding, fairs must submit the scope of work and estimated budget for proposed projects.
 
Projects must be submitted to the state Department of Agriculture and Markets, which is administering the program.  The funding can be used to build, repair, replace, acquire or install fairground buildings, facilities or equipment that are used to house or promote agriculture. 
 
The department will contact local fairs with instructions on how to submit projects for proposals in the coming weeks. 
 
Once projects are approved, a contract will be developed and completed through the state Grants Gateway. Projects must be finished and the awarded funds must be spent by March 31, 2021. 
Any money remaining after that date will be divided equally among the awardees who can then submit plans for additional projects.
 
“For years, many of the state’s local fairs struggled to make the necessary improvements to stay up-to-date and attractive to visitors,” said Agriclture and Markets Commissioner Richard Ball. “This funding will help mitigate those challenges and provide better opportunities to spotlight the state’s diverse and exceptional agricultural community.”
 
 “Our state’s local fairs are more than just places to go to be entertained, they also provide opportunities for people to learn about the importance of agriculture through everything from seeing farm animals firsthand to enjoying local foods,” said state Sen. Patty Ritchie, R-Oswegatchie, chair of the Senate agriculture committee. “By providing local fairs with these resources, we are better positioning them to increase attendance, highlight New York’s leading industry and boost the economies in the regions where they are located.”
 
 “New York state’s county and local youth fairs are a showcase for local agriculture; they provide family fun and entertainment and positive development opportunities for youth through participation and competition, while boosting the local economy,” said Assemblyman William Magee, D-Nelson, chair of the Assembly agriculture committee. “This well-deserved and much needed funding will go a long way toward maintaining and improving the critical infrastructure of our local fairs.”
 
“Our local county fairs have been tradition for generations of families. Mom and dad bring their kids to enjoy the fair as their mom and dad brought them years before,” said Gary Newkirk, president of the New York State Association of Agricultural Fairs. “Most of the fairs in New York have been around for over 100 years, several over 175 years.  Unfortunately, with that comes aged infrastructure. This money will be like a breath of fresh air to allow our fairs to keep up this great tradition, continue to provide great entertainment, build family memories and provide an economic impact to local communities.”

18 NY Food Companies Named Finalists in Good Food Awards

From New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets:

Eighteen New York companies from seven regions across the state have been named finalists for the annual Good Food Awards.   

The national competition recognizes the country’s best craft food and beverage producers who excel in both taste and sustainable practices in the production of their products. 

New York’s finalists were selected from more than 2,000 entries from more than 30 states. The winners will be announced later today, Friday, Jan. 20 in San Francisco.

 

“New York’s food and beverage producers are second to none when it comes to making delicious products sourced from local ingredients," said state Agriculture Commissioner Richard Ball.

"As seen with our New York State Grown & Certified program, we know that New York’s farmers are leading the way in regard to growing high-quality food and doing it the right way — with a focus on food handling practices and environmental sustainability," he aid.

Now in its seventh year, the Good Food Awards celebrate craft food and beverage producers of all sizes who help create and support vibrant, sustainable local food economies.  

The awards are presented to winners in fourteen categories, such as beer, cider, cheese and honey.  The entries are evaluated in a blind tasting of more than 220 expert judges, including top chefs and food industry representatives. 

Those who score the highest in the blind tasting are then assessed on a wide variety of criteria, including use of local and nutritious ingredients and sustainable and environmentally sound practices. 

 

New York producers from seven regions across the state are finalists in the following ten categories:

 

CHARCUTERIE

Dickson’s Farmstand Meats, Head Cheese (New York City)

Hudson & Charles, Chicken Liver Pate (New York City)

 

CHOCOLATE

Fruition Chocolate, Marañón Canyon Dark Milk 68% & Hudson Valley Bourbon Dark Milk 61% (Mid-Hudson)

 

CIDER

Bad Seed Hard Cider, IPC (Mid-Hudson)

Eve’s Cidery, 2015 Darling Creek, Van Etten (Southern Tier)

Finger Lakes Cider House, Goodlife Barrel Rye (Finger Lakes)

Orchard Hill Cider Mill, Ten66 Pommeau (Mid-Hudson)

Slyboro Cider House, La Sainte Terre (Capital Region)

 

CONFECTIONS

Fruition Chocolate, Brown Butter Bourbon Caramels (Mid-Hudson)

 

FISH

Regalis Foods, Ikura Shoyu Zuke Caviar (New York City)

 

HONEY

Bee’s Needs, Marvelous May (Long Island)

 

OILS

Stony Brook WholeHeartedFoods, Organic Sunflower Seed Oil (Finger Lakes)

 

PANTRY

Bronx Hot Sauce/Small Axe Peppers, Bronx Hot Sauce (New York City)

XILLI, Salsa Macha (New York City)

 

PICKLES

Food and Ferments, Sea King Sauerkraut (Central NY)

Holy Schmitt’s, Original Horseradish (Long Island)

 

SPIRITS

Breuckelen Distilling, 77 Whiskey: Local Rye and Corn (New York City)

Nahmias et Fils, Legs Diamond Rye Whiskey (Mid-Hudson)

The Hudson Standard, Catskill Masala Bitters (Mid-Hudson)

 

There are a total of 291 finalists from more than 30 states.  Find a complete list of the 2017 finalists http://www.goodfoodawards.org/2017-finalists/ at this link.

 

Since 2010 when the awards began, the competition has grown from 700 to 2,059 entries with representation from all 50 states.  

Last year, 13 New York producers were named winners in nine categories — charcuterie, chocolate, cider, coffee, honey, pantry, pickles, preserves and spirits.  

State Awards Money for Regional Agriculture Projects

New York State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball on Dec. 19 highlighted the nearly $27 million in funding awarded through the 2016 Regional Economic Development Council initiative that will support the growth of the agricultural, food and beverage industries in New York State.  

The awards were announced by Gov. Andrew Cuomo Dec. 8. A total of 68 agriculture-related projects were identified as key to advancing the state’s 10 regional economies.

“I’m pleased that the Regional Councils, who are made up of leaders representing our state's communities, businesses and universities, are supporting projects that will help the agricultural industry grow," Ball said. "From farm operation expansion projects to training programs, these projects are proving important to our regional economies."

A snapshot of the projects awarded include:

 

Western New York – $2.1 million for seven projects, including $1 million for the state-of-the-art expansion of Edelweiss Dairy Farm and $220,000 for a farmers’ market in the City of Olean.

 

Finger Lakes – $3.5 million for seven projects, including $2.3 million for the Livonia Agribusiness Park and $213,500 for a commercial kitchen incubator in downtown Rochester.

 

Southern Tier – $811,500 for four projects, including $250,000 for Fagan Engineers Land Surveyors P.C. to create a wine production, warehousing and distribution facility.

 

Central New York – $1.9 million for nine projects, including $200,000 to JD Farms to help build and equip an industrial biomass processing plant in Georgetown, which will be used to process commodity crops such as hay, wheat straw and industrial hemp.

 

North Country – $1.85 million for seven projects, including $1.2 million for CEI Greenhouses to establish greenhouses in Ogdensburg to grow leafy green vegetables using a hydroponic system.

 

Mohawk Valley – $3.9 million for six projects, including $100,000 for the Vets2Farm training program.

 

Capital Region – nearly $8.5 million for 11 projects, including $600,000 to support the expansion of Hawthorne Valley Farm in Columbia County and $325,000 to expand the Adirondack Pub Brewery and to establish a Craft Beverage Campus in Warren County.

 

Mid- Hudson Region – $1.9 million for eight projects, including $750,000 for the Star Estate Distillery, which will establish a craft distillery relocating its brand, Star Vodka, from Oregon, expand spirit production into whiskey, bourbon and gin along with private label products for new brands, and create a 25 room boutique hotel, event space and small organic farm in the Town of Esopus.

 

Long Island – $825,000 for six projects, including $300,000 for Montauk Inlet Seafood, which will expand their ice making capacity by creating a production, storage and distribution system to support local Montauk fishing vessels.

New York City – $1.47 million for three projects, including $375,000 for Urban Farmers, a Swiss-based rooftop aquaponics developer and operator, which will build an aquaponics and hydroponics greenhouse on rooftop space at the Brooklyn Army Terminal.

To see the entire list of projects, http://www.agriculture.ny.gov/Press%20Releases/REDC_Grant_Awards_2016.pdf go to this link.