$1 Million In Grants For New York Growers
April 25, 2012 
Specialty crop growers in New York are on track to become more competitive thanks to $1,000,000 in federal funds. New York State Agriculture Commissioner Darrel J. Aubertine today announced the availability of the grants to enhance the competitiveness of New York specialty crops, which include fruits, vegetables, maple, honey, and horticulture crops grown in New York state. The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets is seeking research and grower education, food safety, and marketing focused projects that must have general applicability and statewide significance to the state’s specialty crop industry. Applications are due May 16, 2012.
“Specialty crops represent a wide range of important commodities here in New York State,” the commissioner said. “Since these crops do not receive any traditional assistance in the form of subsidies, it is important that we continue to support them through other means. Federal special crop funding provides that means and we are pleased to offer once again a grant program to help identify ways to further improve this important and growing sector of New York’s agricultural industry.”
The purpose of New York’s Specialty Crop Block Grant Program is to enhance the competitiveness of New York specialty crops. There is a total of $1,000,000 available through this program. Projects must solely enhance the competitiveness of New York specialty crops and benefit the industry, rather than an individual product or entity. Government organizations, not-for-profits, and educational institutions are eligible to receive funding, starting at $30,000 per project up to a maximum of $100,000.
Based on input collected from stakeholders in the state’s specialty crop industry, priority will be given to projects that have a research and grower education focus that leads to the production and manufacturing of safe, high quality fresh and/or value-added specialty crop products, and marketing projects that increase the long-term sales and competitiveness of New York’s specialty crop producers.
Applications for the 2012 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program must be received by the Department by May 16, 2012. A copy of the request for proposal can be found at http://www.agriculture.ny.gov/ or by contacting Sue Santamarina at [email protected].
Specialty crops generate over $1 billion annually in New York and make up one-third of the State’s total agricultural receipts. They also rank high nationally in both production and economic value. For example, New York is ranked second in the nation for apples and cabbage; third for grapes, cauliflower, pumpkins, snap beans, and maple syrup; and fourth for tart cherries, squash, and sweet corn.
Source: April 23, 2012 New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets Press Release
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