New York state announced several
\ninitiatives to assist new and early-stage
\nfarmers, and encourage the continued
\ngrowth of agribusiness across the state.<\/p>\n
The state New Farmers Grant Fund,
\nwhich will support beginning farmers and
\nencourage farming as a career.
\nApplications are being taken, said
\nofficials from the office of Gov. Andrew
\nCuomo. Deadline for submission is Jan.
\n28.<\/p>\n
The $614,000 fund, enacted in the
\n2014-2015 state budget, will be used to
\nprovide grants for beginning farmers
\nwho will substantially participate in the
\nproduction of an agriculture product, and
\nemploy the use of innovative agricultural
\ntechniques at commercial farm operations
\nthroughout the State.<\/p>\n
“New York’s farmers play a central role
\nin New York’s economy, and today we’re
\ntaking another step forward in supporting
\nthem and their industry,” Cuomo said.
\n“By funding as much as 50 percent of the
\nstart-up costs for young farmers, we are
\ncreating new opportunities for young
\nfarmers across the state and planting
\nthe seeds for their long-term success for
\nseasons and generations to come.”<\/p>\n
Officials said the $614,000 fund will
\nprovide grants of up to $50,000 for
\neligible farmers who participate in the
\nproduction of an agricultural product
\non a commercial farm operation within
\nNew York.<\/p>\n
Funds can be used for up to 50 percent
\nof project costs including, but not limited
\nto: lease or purchase of farm machinery
\nand equipment; construction or expansion
\nof farm buildings or systems; and
\npurchase of supplies such as root stock,
\nseed or fertilizer. Empire State Development,
\nin consultation with the Department
\nof Agriculture and Markets, will
\nadminister the fund.<\/p>\n
Empire State Development President,
\nCEO and Commissioner Kenneth Adams
\nsaid, “Working with our partners at the
\nDepartment of Agriculture & Markets,
\nwe are investing in the farmers of our
\nfuture and making it easier to establish an
\nagriculture operation in New York State.
\nThe New York State New Farmers Grant
\nFund will provide the support many of our
\nfarmers need to grow their businesses.”<\/p>\n
New York Farm Bureau President Dean
\nNorton said as the average age of farmers
\nincreases each year, “We must encourage
\nboth young and new farmers to become
\nan active part of our farming community.
\nPrograms such as these two are an excellent
\nway to not only promote and develop
\nagriculture, but are also a great approach
\nto ensuring New York continues to be a
\ntop contender in the national market.”<\/p>\n
Officials said agriculture is one of the
\nmost important economic drivers in the
\nstate. According to a 2014 study published
\nby Professor Todd Schmit of Cornell University,
\nwhen agriculture is incorporated
\nwith agricultural production, support services,
\nand manufacturing, it represents
\na $53.7 billion industry in New York and
\naccounts for more than 200,000 jobs.<\/p>\n
Grant applications can be found at
\nwww.hesc.ny.gov<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
New York state announced several initiatives to assist new and early-stage farmers, and encourage the continued growth of agribusiness across the state. The state New Farmers Grant Fund, which will support beginning farmers and encourage farming as a career….<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":121,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[57,102],"class_list":["post-16011","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-business-news","tag-business-news","tag-ny-state"],"yoast_head":"\r\n