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"New York State Grown & Certified is the first statewide, multi-faceted food certification program designed to strengthen consumer confidence in New York products, address food product labeling, and assist New York farmers so they can take advantage of the growing market demand for foods locally grown and produced to a higher standard."
(source: NYS Grown & Certified)​
New York State Grown and Certified
Deadline: At the current time all funds have been allocated
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To assist farmers achieve NYS Grown & Certified (G&C) status, the Hudson Mohawk Resource Conservation and Development Council, Inc. (HMRC&D) and the Hudson Valley AgriBusiness Development Corporation (HVADC) are partnering to administer a grant program in the Capital District Region. In 2018 the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets awarded HMRC&D $500,000 as one of the state’s Regional Economic Development Councils (REDC) through which food producers may apply to access funding to achieve certification. HMRC&D’s REDC coverage includes Albany, Columbia, Greene, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Warren, and Washington counties.
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The G&C producer grants will be awarded for capital projects that will enable qualified agricultural producers meet food safety standards necessary for participation in the program. Eligible agricultural producers can apply for up to 90% of their total project cost, not to exceed $50,000. They must also provide at least 10% of the total project cost as matching support. The food producer match can include cash, loans or grants. The program is open to agricultural producers of dairy, eggs, beef, poultry, pork, sheep, goat, produce, shellfish, Christmas trees, maple, cut flowers, craft beverage ingredients, wine, spirits, beer and cider. Eligibility requirements can be found at https://certified.ny.gov/get-certified.
In addition to administrating the grant program, HVADC and HMRC&D will help farmers apply for state funds for capital improvements related to food safety, identify sources of financing and HVADC will provide access to technical assistance, including guidance on GAP. Soil and Water Conservation offices in the eight counties will assist grant recipients with AEM. Producers are encouraged to visit https://www.hvadc.org/grown-certified to learn about the certification process and details on the grant program.
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Food producers interested in learning more about the G&C program in the Capital District are encouraged to contact HVADC Program Associate Jennifer Bock at 518-432-5360 x402 or dstanton@hvadc.org or visit www.hvadc.org/nys-grown-and-certified to learn more about the program.
Those located in the in the Mid-Hudson region (Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster and Westchester) should contact Cornell Cooperative Extension Dutchess County, which is the designated REDC for that area, at http://ccedutchess.org/contact.