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.

The FreshConnect CSA for SNAP Program 2025, managed by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, is designed to increase access to fresh, locally grown foods for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participants. The program achieves this by subsidizing the cost of Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) shares, connecting SNAP recipients directly with New York State farmers and supporting local food systems. Through this grant opportunity, eligible organizations can apply for funds to partially subsidize the purchase of CSA shares by SNAP recipients. The program promotes both traditional and modern CSA models, including food box programs, and requires that supported CSA shares be comprised of SNAP-eligible food products from New York State producers. The overarching objectives include expanding access to fresh food, supporting New York’s agricultural producers, and fostering relationships between SNAP participants and local food providers. A total of $250,000 is available under this funding round, with awards ranging between $25,000 and $50,000. Funds will be awarded on a rolling basis until they are fully allocated or the final submission deadline is reached. Contracts will be issued following full application review and execution, with awards reimbursed post-expenditure. An advance of up to 25% may be requested, and 10% of the total grant amount will be withheld until submission and acceptance of the final report. Applicants must be not-for-profit organizations, Indian tribal organizations, public educational institutions, or local or municipal governments. Community-led groups may apply with an eligible fiscal sponsor. All applicants must be registered and prequalified through the Statewide Financial System (SFS) before applying. For-profit entities and individuals are not eligible to apply. Eligible expenses include direct subsidies to CSA producers (up to 50% of share costs for SNAP buyers), along with administrative costs not exceeding 30% of the total award. Allowable uses include transportation of food, lease or rent of vehicles, relevant equipment and supplies under $5,000, and staff salaries directly tied to project activities. Costs such as construction, indirect costs, general-purpose equipment over $5,000, and items already supported by other federal or state funds are not eligible. Applications must be submitted online via the SFS Grants Management System by 3:00 p.m. on July 22, 2025. Questions about the program must be submitted by July 8, 2025, and answers will be posted weekly on the Department's website starting March 27, 2025. The grant term will run from February 1, 2025, through March 31, 2026. For more information or to submit questions, applicants may contact Alison Nickford at the Department of Agriculture and Markets via email at farmersmarkets@agriculture.ny.gov or by fax at (518) 457-8398.

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.

This grant provides funding for projects that improve the ecological health of Long Island Sound, targeting local organizations, governments, and communities engaged in habitat restoration, water quality enhancement, and environmental education within the watershed.

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 provides financial support for New York-based agricultural producers, processors, and organizations to acquire specialized equipment that enhances food supply chain operations, excluding meat and poultry.

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 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.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to local organizations and agencies in New York for hiring staff dedicated to farmland protection and enhancing their capacity to preserve agricultural lands.