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New York State Grown & Certified Producers Grant Program

In partnership with CCE and Soil and Water Conservation offices, the Development Authority of the North Country has launched the regional New York State Grown & Certified Agriculture Producer’s Grant program to help North Country producers meet the food safety standards necessary for participation in the certification program.

The Development Authority received a $500,000 grant through North Country Regional Economic Development Council to implement the program in Jefferson, Lewis, St. Lawrence, Clinton, Franklin, Essex and Hamilton counties. The funding comes from the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, which oversees the NYS Grown & Certified program.

The program is open to agricultural producers in the seven North Country counties who want to become certified in the NYS Grown & Certified Program. Eligible commodities include produce, dairy, shellfish, eggs, beef, poultry, pork, maple products, alcoholic beverages, and beverage ingredients. New commodities are being added to the list, such as processed products and firewood. Applicants are required to contribute 10 percent of the total project cost in the form of cash equity. Eligible producers can apply for grant funding of up to $50,000.    

 Apply here

The NYS Grown & Certified Program was designed to strengthen consumer confidence in New York products and assist farmers so they can take advantage of the growing market demand for locally grown foods that are produced to a higher standard. Certified producers are able to use a special New York State seal that indicates the producer adheres to higher standards of food safety and environmental stewardship.

Cornell Cooperative Extension offices throughout the seven-county North Country will provide technical assistance to producers, including assistance with Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs). Soil and Water Conservation offices in the seven counties will assist grant recipients with Agriculture Environmental Management (AEM).

For more information or application materials, contact Michelle Capone, Director of Regional Development at the Development Authority, at 315-661-3200, or mcapone@danc.org.

Contact

Mellissa Spence
Sustainable Agriculture Educator
mms427@cornell.edu
(315) 376-5270

Last updated June 28, 2021