Nineteen Farm Businesses Receive State Grants

From New York State Ag and Markets:

The New Farmers Grant Fund is providing more than $610,000 in grants to help support new and early-stage agricultural businesses across New York state. 

Nineteen businesses were awarded grants Wednesday, May 20. The grant fund, enacted in the 2014-15 budget, will be used to assist early-stage farmers and encourage them to consider farming as a career, adding to the continued growth of New York’s agricultural sector. 

This money will allow these farmers to employ the use of innovative agricultural techniques on commercial farm operations throughout the state.
The award recipients, by region, are:
Western New York

· H & H Meadows, Cattaraugus County: $43,219 · Providence Creek Farm, Erie County: $15,104

Southern Tier

· Painted Goat Farm, Otsego County: $29,121 · Mauer's Mountain Farms, Delaware County: $50,000

Finger Lakes

· Silver Thread Vineyard, Seneca County: $20,123

Central New York

· Main Street Farms, Cortland County: $33,000 · New Moon Farms, Madison County: $50,000 · Common Thread CSA, Madison County: $23,969

Mohawk Valley

· Arabeth Farm, Herkimer County: $50,000 · Falls Pride Dairy, Oneida County: $32,765

North Country

· Blue Pepper Farm, Essex County: $34,000 · Full and By Farm, Essex County: $18,576 · Fledging Crow Vegetables, Essex County: $37,248

Hudson Valley

· Alewife Farm, Dutchess County: $16,332 · Yellow Bell Farm, Dutchess County: $50,000 · Raven & Boar, Columbia County: $50,000 · Ironwood Farm, Columbia County: $17,748

Long Island

· Condzella Hops, Suffolk County: $17,009 · Browder's Birds, Suffolk County: $22,045

Empire State Development, in consultation with the Department of Agriculture and Markets, is administering the fund and has received more than 100 applications for the program. 

Projects were scored competitively based on specific criteria, including demonstration of project readiness. Grant funds will be used for project costs associated with the expansion of production, construction of farm buildings, purchase of equipment and seed, or upgrades to increase efficiency and boost production. 

“I couldn’t be happier with the number of applications that were submitted for the New Farmers Grant Fund, indicating there is truly an excitement around agriculture in New York state," said Ag and Markets Commissioner Richard Ball. 

"The next generation of farmers are passionate and driven, and have the opportunity to use innovative solutions to expand their operations. With some assistance from New York state, these farmers will now be able to grow, benefiting the agriculture economy for years to come,” Ball said.

Governor Cuomo and the legislature committed an additional $1 million in the 2015-2016 New York State Budget to support a second round of the New Farmers Grant Fund program in an effort to continue to expand New York State’s agriculture industry.

“Having access to capital to either start or grow a farm is one of the greatest challenges facing new farmers today, and today's announcement will help the recipients clear that hurdle," said Dean Norton, president of New York Farm Bureau. "Ultimately, these grants are an investment into New York agriculture. The farms support their local, rural economies upstate and on Long Island and will contribute to the state's rich agricultural history."

Grants Available for Soil and Water Conservation Districts to Help Soil Health

News from Ag and Markets:

Soil and Water Conservation Districts across New York state will be able to address soil quality in their counties, and develop initiatives that will encourage greater crop yields and protect water resources from pollution with a new state grant.

Counties can apply for grant funds of up to $25,000 per district for these plans through the Ecosystem Based Management Soil Health Mini Grants program.

Soil quality has become a leading concern for the agriculture industry on a national level. Healthy soils hold the potential to produce greater crop yields while protecting water resources from polluted runoff.  In addition, crops growing in healthy soils require less fertilizer and are better able to withstand both floods and droughts. 

Through the Soil Health Mini Grants program, local Soil and Water Conservation Districts can develop their own programs to increase the adoption of healthy soil practices. 

These programs can range from soil health testing to farmer equipment loan programs. The Soil Health Mini Grants are designed to allow the flexibility needed to establish programs that will have long-term residual impacts on the adoption of soil health practices. 

Improving soil health can be accomplished by reducing tillage and keeping a living crop on the field all year.

Farmers interested in soil health should contact their local Soil and Water Conservation District to learn about the many opportunities available to improve soil quality in New York at  http://www.nys-soilandwater.org/contacts/county_offices.html.

Applicants can apply for the Ecosystem Based Management Soil Health Mini Grants program through the NYS Grants Gateway at https://grantsgateway.ny.gov/IntelliGrants_NYSGG/login2.aspx. 

The deadline to apply is June 15, 2015. Money is being being made available from the New York State Environmental Protection Fund.

CNY Farmers Receive Grant

Great news from the USDA.

Go to http://www.localsyr.com/story/d/story/big-usda-grant-headed-to-young-manlius-business/38993/CoT5OpI-fEyq3OzwlGtKXQ to check it out.

Ag Grant Workshop Set for in Dec. 12 Watertown

From the office of state Sen. Patricia Ritchie: 

In an effort to help farmers and others in the agriculture industry grow their businesses, state Senator Patty Ritchie — in conjunction with the Jefferson County Agricultural Development Council — will host a free Agricultural Grant Opportunity Workshop from 2 to 4 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 12 at the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Jefferson County office in Watertown.

Information about grants and funding opportunities in the following areas will be available:

** Wineries, cider and craft brewing

** Dairy profit teams

** Research and development grants

** Energy efficiency

** USDA grants and loans

For a full schedule of events, please visit www.ritchie.nysenate.gov.

Those interested in attending must register by Dec. 9 by calling the Jefferson County Local Development Corporation at 782-5865 or by emailing coordinator@comefarmwithus.com.