New York State Grown and Certified Cooperative Marketing Program

The New York State Grown and Certified Cooperative Marketing Program is administered by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets with partial funding support from the United States Department of Agriculture Agricultural Marketing Service. The program is designed to strengthen the market presence of agricultural products produced within New York State by supporting coordinated marketing and promotional efforts. It operates within the framework of the New York State Grown and Certified program, a voluntary certification initiative that requires participating producers to adopt food safety standards and enroll in an environmental management system. This dual emphasis on safety and sustainability underpins the credibility of the brand and the purpose of the funding opportunity. The primary objective of the program is to increase producer sales by driving consumer demand for products bearing the New York State Grown and Certified designation. Funding is intended to support projects that create lasting brand recognition and meaningful exposure among consumers. Eligible activities include modifications to product packaging to incorporate the program logo, point of purchase marketing materials, print and radio advertising, and digital marketing campaigns. All funded efforts must prominently feature the New York State Grown and Certified branding and adhere to established style guidelines and licensing agreements. Projects must also demonstrate the potential to generate measurable outcomes, particularly in terms of increased sales and brand visibility. Funding is provided on a reimbursement basis, meaning recipients must incur eligible expenses prior to submitting claims for payment. The total program funding available is five hundred thousand dollars, with individual awards capped at ten thousand dollars. There is no matching fund requirement, making the program more accessible to smaller producers and organizations. However, applicants must obtain multiple competitive quotes for proposed expenditures and ensure all materials receive prior approval from the Department before production. Costs incurred before award or outside the approved scope are not eligible for reimbursement, and certain categories such as promotional giveaways or indirect expenses are explicitly excluded. Eligibility for the program is limited to entities that are actively participating in the New York State Grown and Certified program and have executed a licensing agreement. This includes agricultural producers, cooperatives, associations, and retailers operating within New York State. Applicants may include farms, processors, or strategic partners, provided they meet program participation requirements. Retail applicants must also demonstrate that they carry certified products. While prior awardees may apply again, they must propose new and distinct projects to be considered for additional funding. The application process requires submission of a completed application form along with several supporting documents, including compliance certifications, insurance documentation, and organizational verification materials. Applicants must also provide baseline sales data for products associated with the proposed project, covering a one to three month period prior to application. This data serves as a benchmark for evaluating project effectiveness. Applications are submitted via email and must follow strict formatting and labeling instructions. Questions regarding the application must be submitted by a specified deadline, and responses are published periodically as official addenda. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until the final deadline of September 30, 2026 at 3:00 PM Eastern Time, or until funds are exhausted. Awards are determined based on eligibility and completeness, with priority given to applications received earlier. Once awarded, projects must be completed within six months of contract execution, followed by a required final report within three months of project completion. This report must include updated sales data and metrics demonstrating the impact of the marketing efforts. The program does not specify a formal evaluation scoring rubric but emphasizes compliance with eligibility requirements, completeness of the application, and the potential for measurable impact. The Department reserves broad discretion in funding decisions, including the ability to partially fund proposals or request additional information. Contact for the program is centralized through a dedicated email inbox, which also serves as the submission point for applications and inquiries. Overall, the program represents a targeted effort to amplify the visibility and market performance of certified New York agricultural products through strategic marketing investments.

Ensure all marketing materials include required branding and obtain pre approval before production; Provide clear measurable sales metrics and baseline data; Submit early due to first come first served funding