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.

More Than $1M Awarded to New Farmers

From Gov. Andrew Cuomo's office:

More than $1 million has been awarded to 27 new and early-stage farms through the New York State New Farmers Grant Fund. 

Gov. Andrew Cuomo said since its launch in 2014, the program has provided nearly $2.5 million to 66 farms across the state to expand operations and improve profitability.
"Agriculture remains a major New York industry, and with support from the New Farmers Grant Fund, we will be making investments that will pay dividends for future generations of farmers," said Cuomo.

"The fund continues to provide access to capital to help new and early farms grow, while supporting the expansion of businesses statewide, and with this latest round of awards, New York will help increase production and support this critically important part of our economy for years to come," Cuomo said.
The New Farmers Grant Fund award recipients by region are:
Capital Region

• Blue Star Farm NY, LLC, Columbia County – $50,000
• Letterbox Farm, LLC, Columbia County – $31,000
• MX Morningstar Farm, Columbia County – $30,436

Finger Lakes

• Buttonwood Grove Winery, Seneca County – $50,000
• Camman Acres, LLC, Monroe County – $18,021
• First Light Farm & Creamery, Genesee County – $50,000
• Hartway Brothers, Orleans County – $42,500
• Lyman and Chelsey Rudgers, Wyoming County – $50,000

Long Island

• Sannino's Bella Vita Vineyard, Suffolk County – $19,154

Mid-Hudson Valley

• Long Season Farm, Ulster County – $32,119
• Westwind Orchard, LLC, Ulster County – $48,619

Mohawk Valley

• Autumn Valley Farm, Otsego County – $39,900
• Collins Farm, LLC, Oneida County – $50,000
• Dygert Farms Creamery, Montgomery County – $37,500
• Michael B’s Honey Co., Oneida County – $30,770

North Country

• Black Rooster Maple, Essex County – $50,000
• Echo Farm, Essex County – $23,401
• Reber Rock Farm, Essex County – $35,065

Southern Tier

• Bensvue Farms, LLC, Tompkins County – $46,118
• Hemlock Ridge Farm, Steuben County – $50,000
• Nanticoke Gardens, Broome County – $49,510
• Shannon Brook Farm, Schuyler County – $44,000
• Homestead Hog Farm, Steuben County – $38,741

Western New York

• Black Bird Cider Works, Niagara County – $46,245
• Bliss Dairy Company, Inc., Cattaraugus County – $50,000
• Nathan & Sarah Nickerson, Chautauqua County – $16,660
• Niefergold Dairy, LLC, Erie County – $50,000

The New Farmers Grant Fund is administered by Empire State Development, in consultation with the state Department of Agriculture and Markets. 

Nearly 60 applications were submitted for program funding this round, with applicants scored based on specific criteria, including demonstrating how the project expands or diversifies agricultural production. 

Grant funds will be used for project costs associated with the construction of farm buildings, and the purchase of equipment and supplies.
The fund provides grants of up to $50,000 to assist with up to 50 percent of eligible project costs, with the remaining 50 percent being matched by the recipient. 

All eligible farm owners must be within the first ten years of ownership and the farm must have a minimum of $10,000 in income from sales of products grown or raised on the farm. This year, the program eliminated the 150 acres or less requirement and accepted farm applicants of all sizes.

Deadline Jan. 27 to Apply for New Farmers Grant Fund

The deadline is Jan. 27 to apply for the New Farmers Grant Fund.

Ritchie

Senate Agriculture Committee Chair Sen. Patty Ritchie is encouraging people who are interested in pursuing careers in agriculture or just starting out as farmers to apply for the “New Farmers Grant Fund.”

Through the New Farmers Grant Fund, $1 million will help provide grants of up to $50,000 to new and beginning farmers for the purchase of equipment, supplies and other necessities essential to an agricultural business.  

The program is now in its third year and to date has allocated $1.4 million in grants to 41 farms across the state. 

"Across our state, the New Farmers Grant Fund is providing people who are new to agriculture with the resources necessary to start their businesses, and those who are just starting with the support they need to continue on the road to success,” said Ritchie.

This year, the New Farmers Grant Fund has eliminated the 150 acres or less requirement and will accept applications from agricultural operations of all sizes.  

Full guidelines for applying can be found by visiting Sen. Ritchie’s website, www.ritchie.nysenate.gov  

Two Ag Bills Pass NYS Senate

From state Sen. Patricia Ritchie:

Two bills that will make entering into farming easier for people new to the profession, boost business for existing farmers and connect consumers with more New York-grown and produced foods have passed the state Senate. 

The first measure, Senate bill 6648, also known as the “Buy From the Backyard Act,” would require state agencies to buy 20 percent of all their food products from producers and processors in New York state. The measure is seen as a way to get more locally grown and produced foods in our state’s hospitals, colleges, offices, prisons and other places, as well as to support local farmers.

Ritchie

Under the second measure, Senate bill 7011-A, the state would be required to develop an inventory of state-owned property that’s prime for agricultural development, making it easier for those new to the industry to access land that’s ready to be farmed. The measure is now headed to Gov. Andrew Cuomo's desk to become law.

“This year we have made great strides in not only strengthening the connection between consumers who are increasingly looking to eat local — and healthy — foods, but also in fostering new opportunities for people who are looking to enter into agriculture careers and produce the nutritious fruits, vegetables and other products people depend on,” said the bills' sponsor, state Sen. Patty  Ritchie.

“These measures take us closer to our goals of strengthening New York’s leading industry, and providing a boost for farmers — both new and experienced — across our state.”

As Senate Agriculture Committee Chair, Ritchie has been focused in recent years on making New York-grown and produced foods more accessible to consumers, as well as to encourage state agencies to increase their use. 

Providing new farmers with the tools and resources needed to be successful has also been a priority of Ritchie’s, and through her “Young Farmers NY” program, those new to the profession are benefiting from grants, a loan forgiveness program and other incentives that are helping them to begin and strengthen their agribusinesses. 

USDA Offering Farm Ownership Microloans

From the USDA:

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will begin offering farm ownership microloans, creating a new financing avenue for farmers to buy and improve property. 

These microloans will be especially helpful to beginning or underserved farmers, U.S. veterans looking for a career in farming, and those who have small and mid-sized farming operations.

“Many producers, especially new and underserved farmers, tell us that access to land is one of the biggest challenges they face in establishing and growing their own farming operation,” said Agriculture Deputy Secretary Krysta Harden. “USDA is making it easier for new farmers to hit the ground running and get access to the land that they need to establish their farms or improve their property.”

The microloan program, which celebrates its third anniversary this week, has been hugely successful, providing more than 16,800 low-interest loans, totaling over $373 million to producers across the country. 

Microloans have helped farmers and ranchers with operating costs, such as feed, fertilizer, tools, fencing, equipment, and living expenses since 2013. Seventy percent of loans have gone to new farmers.

Now, microloans will be available to also help with farm land and building purchases, and soil and water conservation improvements. Farm Service Agency designed the expanded program to simplify the application process, expand eligibility requirements and expedite smaller real estate loans to help farmers strengthen their operations. 

Microloans provide up to $50,000 to qualified producers, and can be issued to the applicant directly from the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA).

This microloan announcement is another USDA resource for America’s farmers and ranchers to utilize, especially as new and beginning farmers and ranchers look for the assistance they need to get started. 

To learn more about the FSA microloan program visit www.fsa.usda.gov/microloans or contact your local FSA office. 

Farmers Can Apply for Money to Fund Projects on the Farm

From the state Department of Agriculture and Markets:

A total of $1 million is available to assist new farmers in New York state begin their careers.

Now in its second year, the New York State New Farmers Grant Fund will build upon a successful 2015 when more than $610,000 was awarded to 19 farms across the state in order to support the continued growth of New York’s agricultural industry.
 
The $1 million New Farmers Grant Fund will provide grants of up to 50 percent of total project costs. Funds may provide a minimum of $15,000 and maximum of $50,000 for up to 50 percent of project costs with the remaining 50 percent being matched by the recipient.
 
Eligible project costs include the purchase of farm machinery, supplies and equipment, and construction or improvement of farm buildings. 

Empire State Development, in consultation with the state Department of Agriculture and Markets, will administer the fund, which is open to New York farmers in the first 10 years of having a farm operation of 150 acres or less.
 
The application and guidelines for the New York State New Farmers Grant Fund are available online and the deadline for submission is Jan.22.

Go to http://regionalcouncils.ny.gov/content/grants-gateway-new-farmers-wny  for both the application and guidelines.

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."

Farm Bill's Effects on New Farmers Subject of Sept. 9 Program

The USDA is conducting a discussion at 3 p.m. Sept. 9 on how the Farm Bill is affecting new and beginning farmers and ranchers.

Check out a story about the program at http://ruralcommunitybuilding.fb.org/2014/09/04/the-farm-bills-impact-on-new-farmers/ this link.