Your September Monthly Harvest from NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets is here!

09/06/2023

𝓘𝓷 𝓣𝓱𝓲𝓼 𝓘𝓼𝓼𝓾𝓮
• Statewide News
• Taste NY Updates
• NYS Grown & Certified Updates
• Funding Opportunities
• Spotlight: #FindMeAtTheFair Winner Announced

𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗬𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗔𝗴𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗺
As we turn the calendar to September, we’re realizing autumn is just around the corner and it’ll be time soon to explore all of New York State’s great agritourism opportunities! From apples to pumpkins, to corn mazes and sunflower fields, and so much more, New York farms offer fun for all ages this fall.

Check out New York’s many u-pick farms and have some family fun while supporting your local farmer!

𝗛𝘂𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵
September is recognized nationally as Hunger Action Month, a time to raise awareness, take action, and collaborate on solutions to combat food insecurity in our communities. In collaboration with our partner not-for-profit organizations and New York State agencies, the Department has long been committed to the fight against hunger, prioritizing initiatives like the Nourish New York program, the 30 percent New York State initiative, the Council on Hunger and Food Policy, our Farm-to-School program and Farmers’ Market Nutrition program, and so many more. We’d like to take this opportunity to salute the daily work and dedication of the many community organizations, food banks and food pantries, and members of the State’s Council on Hunger and Food Policy among others to combating hunger, improving access to healthy, locally grown foods, and bringing New York-grown foods and beverages to underserved communities.

This month, we encourage everyone to get in touch with their local food bank, food pantry, or other food assistance organization to find ways to get involved in Hunger Action Month and help your community. Visit https://www.feedingamerica.org/take-action/hunger-action-month to find out more about how to help this month and year-round. Many of New York’s food banks are participating with special food drives and events, so be sure to check withyour local food bank and see how you can help, and keep an eye on the Department’s Facebook page for announcements of upcoming events, and mark your calendar for September 15, which is Hunger Action Day!

𝗪𝗿𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗨𝗽 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯 𝗚𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗬𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗙𝗮𝗶𝗿
Yesterday, we closed out another tremendously successful Great New York State Fair. Founded in 1841, The Great New York State Fair is the nation’s first state fair. Today, it remains deeply tied to its agricultural roots, offering endless opportunities to showcase the very best of New York’s agricultural industry, while also providing top-quality entertainment like exciting rides, fantastic music, and delicious food. Over the course of the 13-day Fair several special agricultural days—from Dairy Day to Beef Day to Ag Career Day— were specifically designated to highlight all that New York State agriculture has to offer. We enjoyed every beloved tradition, whether it was drinking a $0.25 cup of perfectly chilled milk at the Milk Bar, seeing the Butter Sculpture unveiled, or learning from our FFA and 4-H students, and celebrating new agricultural exhibits, like the Voice of the Farmer Garden, or Apple Day.

We want to thank all the staff at the Fair and at the Department who helped to make this the best Fair yet! We are already counting down the days until next year’s Opening Day!

𝗔𝗴𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗿 𝗗𝗮𝘆
From farming to chemistry, bio-technology, engineering, veterinary medicine, and so much more, there are endless opportunities to build a career in New York agriculture. At the Department, supporting agricultural education, introducing young people to the many opportunities in agriculture, and helping to establish a strong agricultural workforce pipeline are top priorities, which is why we love being able to interact with young people during Agricultural Career Day at the Fair.
Commissioner Ball took part in the Career Challenge, an educational scavenger hunt with interactive exhibits — like making butter and learning about natural irrigation systems — which was led by New York FFA and New York Agriculture in the Classroom. Two hardworking scavenger hunters and young agriculturalists were awarded the Career Challenge prizes: a new Nintendo Switch! Getting young people excited about the diverse possibilities for future jobs in the agricultural industry is the first step toward building a better future for us all. Learn more about Agricultural Career Day here.

𝗩𝗼𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗮𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗿 𝗚𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗻
This year, Commissioner Ball unveiled an exciting new exhibit: the Voice of the Farmer Garden. Commissioner Ball was joined by representatives from the Farm Journal Foundation, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Onondaga County, Chair of the Assembly Agriculture Committee Donna Lupardo, and the McMahons from EZ Acres Dairy Farm to cut the ribbon on the exhibit. The Voice of the Farmer Garden is an interactive garden filled with crops grown here in New York. Each crop has QR codes linking to videos of farmers and others in the food supply chain telling the story of agriculture.

The Voice of the Farmer Garden is the very first statewide garden of its kind to open at a state fair in the country and aims to help connect the dots between consumers and the farmers who grow the food we eat. Learn more about the exhibit here.

𝗠𝗮𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘆
Every year, Maple Day at the Great New York State Fair gives fairgoers the opportunity to sample one of New York’s most unique and delicious crops and learn more about the diversity and quality of New York agriculture in the process.

This year, the New York State Maple Producers Association hosted the Maple Experience, or the Mobile Maple Classroom, an interactive, educational exhibit in a 24-foot mobile trailer that travels around New York State and teaches visitors about the maple industry. The mobile educational exhibit allowed visitors to learn about the early discovery of maple syrup and observe the production process, including how trees are tapped and sap is extracted, collected, boiled, evaporated and subject to reverse osmosis. Hands-on interactive displays include modern power drills and plastic tubing syrup lines, as well as traditional bits and wooden sap spouts, and of course, tastings of samples of real maple syrup and maple syrup products. Learn more about Maple Day here.

𝗕𝗲𝗲𝗳 𝗗𝗮𝘆
On Beef Day, fairgoers got to learn more about the hard work of New York’s beef producers, who are a critical part of the state’s agricultural industry. New York State has nearly 12,800 cattle farms with 1.4 million cattle and calves overall, including almost 110,000 beef cows supplying nutritious, wholesome beef to consumers. The beef industry is one of the top five agricultural sectors in New York, contributing to New York State’s economy by generating more than $298 million in sales annually.

Special events held throughout the day included burger cooking demonstrations with three New York restaurants and a ‘Beef Trail’ map of the best beef spots to visit at The Fair, including the Beef Cattle Barn and Show Ring, the Dairy Birthing Tent, the Demo Kitchen, Restaurant Row, and the Taste NY Marketplace. Learn more about Beef Day here.

𝗗𝗮𝗶𝗿𝘆 𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯 𝗗𝗮𝗶𝗿𝘆 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁𝘀 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘀
This year, the Great New York State Fair held its 46th annual Dairy Day celebration with a full slate of events and opportunities for fairgoers to enjoy New York’s high-quality dairy products and learn about the state’s largest agricultural sector. Commissioner Ball kicked off the day by honoring the winners of the 2023 Dairy Products Competition an annual New York State Fair tradition highlighting New York State’s many world-class dairy products. This year, there were 197 entries across 26 categories, including fluid milk, various types of cheeses, sour cream, yogurt, dips, cottage cheese, and for the first time ever, ice cream! Stewart’s brought home the gold for best chocolate ice cream and best flavored ice cream, and Mikey Dubb’s Frozen Custard earned gold for its vanilla. The 2023 Grand Champion Title went to Four Fat Fowl Creamery for its St. Stephens cheese. A full list of this year’s winners is available here.

After the awards ceremony, Commissioner Ball participated in a variety of events and activities that showcased New York’s dairy industry, including the Undeniably Dairy Milkshake Contest, enjoying a cold glass of milk at the Milk Bar, visiting the Dairy Cattle Barn and the Dairy Cow Birthing Center, and admiring the Butter Sculpture. Sculpted by artists Jim Victor and Marie Pelton of Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, the sculpture’s theme was “Dairy Every Day is a Healthy Way – Keeping Kids’ Health on Track,” and depicted a train being conducted by a cow and carrying young passengers fueling up on dairy foods like milk, yogurt, and cheese.

New York’s dairy industry accounts for approximately one-half of New York’s total agricultural income, making our dairy community critical contributors to the state’s economy. The state is home to nearly 3,200 dairy producers that produce over 15 billion pounds of milk annually, making New York the nation’s fifth largest dairy state. Learn more about Dairy Day at the Fair, and New York’s dairy industry here.

𝗚𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗼𝗿’𝘀 𝗘𝘅𝗲𝗰𝘂𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗢𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗪𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗜𝗻𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗦𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗳 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗬𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗙𝗼𝗼𝗱
Governor Kathy Hochul kicked off the 2023 Great New York State Fair. During her Opening Day visit, Governor Hochul signed an Executive Order directing State agencies to increase the percentage of food sourced from New York farmers and producers to 30 percent of their total purchases within five years. New York State agencies currently report spending nearly $4 million on New York food; this new effort would aim to procure and purchase nearly $400 million worth of food from New York farmers.

This effort builds on the success of State programs like Farm-to-School, the 30 percent New York State initiative, and Nourish New York, and will be a game changer for New York agriculture, helping to provide an economic boost to our farmers and secure the local food supply chain, from farmer to consumer. Learn more.

𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗬𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗣𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗮𝗻 𝗨𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗟𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗳𝗹𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗬𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗖𝗶𝘁𝘆
With adult Spotted Lanternfly at their peak in mid-August, the Department joined the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), and Cornell University’s Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Program at Roberto Clemente State Park in the Bronx to provide an update on Spotted Lanternfly (SLF). Most recently, New York State has been hearing concerns from New York City residents regarding SLF control. State officials and Cornell experts shared tips with residents on how to combat SLF on their properties, as well as information on SLF’s life cycle and what to expect for the rest of this summer and through the fall and winter seasons.

New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets State Director of Plant Industry Chris Logue said, “In New York City, with SLF at its peak, we know and understand that our residents are frustrated with their presence in public areas and on their properties. The public has been a tremendous resource for us regarding SLF and we thank them for that. Our efforts at the Department need to focus first on protecting our agricultural areas from SLF because if not contained, SLF could have a negative economic impact to NYS of at least $300 million annually, mainly to the grape and wine industry. However, we want to ensure that New York City residents know what to expect in the months ahead and have a way to manage this invasive species.”

The invasive was first observed in New York State on Staten Island in August 2020, and since has been reported in all New York City boroughs, Long Island, and several areas in Upstate New York.

With SLF currently in its adult stage, residents will likely see the invasive species through late November, or the first hard frost. However, SLF will begin laying its eggs in September, so AGM, DEC, and IPM are stressing:

• 𝗪𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗡𝗬𝗖 𝗱𝗼 𝗡𝗢𝗧 need to report sightings of SLF, they should continue to kill SLF to control the population.
• SLF is not harmful to you, your pets, or forest or urban trees.
• The public is encouraged to thoroughly inspect vehicles, luggage and gear, and all outdoor items for SLF. If SLF adults are found, residents should destroy them.
• Residents can use at-home control methods to help manage SLF on their properties. More information can be found here.
• Once the SLF lays its eggs, residents are being asked to scrape off egg masses and dispose of them.

𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗢𝗨𝗧𝗦𝗜𝗗𝗘 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗬𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗖𝗶𝘁𝘆 can help the Department by reporting SLF immediately after it is found. Follow these steps:

• Take a photo
• Collect a sample and place it in a freezer or in a jar with rubbing alcohol or hand sanitizer
• Contact the SLF responders

After you have reported SLF in your area and collected a sample, you should kill any additional SLF you see by stepping on it or crushing it.

𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗡𝗼𝘄 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗢𝗿𝗴𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗰 𝗖𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺
Are you an organic producer or handler? The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) can help cover the cost of organic certification and other related expenses through the USDA National Organic Cost Share Program (NOCCSP).
NOCCSP provides cost share assistance to producers and handlers of agricultural products who are obtaining or renewing their certification under the National Organic Program (NOP). Payment to eligible applicants will be 75% of an individual’s annual certification costs, up to a maximum $750 reimbursement per category of certification.

The Department is now accepting applications for the program. Applications are due by November 1, 2023. The application is available on the Department’s Organic Foods and Farming page under “Certification Reimbursement.”

𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗗𝗲𝗰𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗘𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗘𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗙𝗮𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗟𝗼𝘄-𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗟𝗼𝗮𝗻𝘀
Following the late May frost/freeze event, the USDA has designated 31 counties across New York State as a primary natural disaster area. An additional 24 counties have been designated as contiguous disaster counties. Farmers in these counties who were impacted by the severe weather event may be considered for USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) emergency loans, provided eligibility requirements are met. The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets requested the Disaster Designation from the USDA through a joint letter with other states that are a part of the Northeastern Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NEASDA).

𝗖𝗿𝗼𝗽 𝗟𝗼𝘀𝘀 𝗗𝗲𝗰𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗟𝗶𝗳𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗬𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗜𝗻𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗥𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁
In addition to the USDA Disaster Designation, the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets has also issued a Crop Loss Declaration to help farm wineries impacted by the May freeze event sustain their business operations. The emergency declaration allows farm winery owners, licensed by the New York State Liquor Authority, to temporarily source grapes or juice from outside of New York through December 31, 2023, while still maintaining their New York farm winery status and enabling them to continue to manufacture or sell wine produced from out‐of‐state grapes or juice for the impacted varietals.

Farm wineries can apply for the exemption here, and instructions for the application, including the mailing address, can be found here. The deadline to apply for the exemption is October 31, 2023, and the deadline to purchase out-of-state grapes or juice is December 31, 2023. The Department will be hosting an 𝗶𝗻𝗱𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘆-𝘄𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝘄𝗲𝗯𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗿 𝗼𝗻 𝗪𝗲𝗱𝗻𝗲𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝗦𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟭𝟯, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯, to provide information on the application process and to answer any questions farm wineries may have. The webinar can be accessed via the following:

Join link: https://meetny.webex.com/meetny/j.php?MTID=ma2c2b276ffce1beb9d277c95ef7505bb
Webinar number: 61 819 5403
Webinar password: 2023WINE (20239463 from phones and video systems)
Join by phone: +1-518-549-0500 US (English Menu)
Access code: 161 819 5403

𝗙𝗶𝗳𝘁𝗵 𝗥𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗟𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗧𝗿𝘂𝘀𝘁𝘀 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺 𝗶𝘀 𝗡𝗼𝘄 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗻𝘁𝘀
The Department is now accepting applications for the fifth round of the Land Trusts Grants Program. The Land Trust Grants Program awards state assistance to land trusts for activities that will assist counties and municipalities with their agricultural and farmland protection efforts, including providing technical assistance to county and municipal governments, owners of agricultural lands and other agricultural interests.

Conserving land for agricultural use helps New York with its efforts to ensure food security, protect jobs, and protect our environment for generations to come. Round 5 of the program aims to help agricultural landowners protect their land, connect willing landowners to farmers interested in leasing or buying viable agricultural land, and highlight on-farm marketing, production, and agritourism opportunities for preserved farms.

Find more information on the program, eligibility, and how to apply here.

𝗧𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝗻𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗹 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺 𝗘𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗦𝘂𝗿𝘃𝗲𝘆
The USDA’s National Animal Health Monitoring System (NAHMS) is in the development stage of its upcoming 4th national study of the U.S. equine industry. The NAHMS survey is a critical tool to understanding the current trends and needs of the industry, and we encourage New York equine owners to participate by October 1, 2023.

The NAHMS equine study will provide important information about management practices used on U.S. equine operations and will take a national, in-depth look at the industry’s most pressing health issues.
Take the survey here.

𝙏𝙖𝙠𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙉𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙖𝙡 𝙄𝙢𝙥𝙖𝙘𝙩 𝙎𝙪𝙧𝙫𝙚𝙮
The American Horse Council (AHC) has opened the National Economic Impact Study. The study helps create an awareness of and an interest in the equine industry by providing essential data about the ways the industry impacts the economy. The AHC encourages those who work in the industry to take the survey, which is available here.

𝗗𝗲𝗽𝘂𝘁𝘆 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗲𝗿 𝗧𝗿𝗼𝗱𝗱𝗲𝗻 𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 𝗙𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗦𝗮𝗳𝗲𝘁𝘆 𝗗𝗶𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻
From inspecting grocery stores and food manufacturers to developing new and innovative approaches to food safety, the Department’s Food Safety Division provides critical work that helps ensure the food that travels from producer to consumer here in New York is safe to eat, protecting public health and reducing foodborne illness.

Last week, Deputy Commissioner Jennifer Trodden spoke with the Capitol Pressroom to talk about the importance of the work of New York’s food inspectors and the behind-the-scenes work that goes into inspecting thousands of operations. Listen here.

𝗧𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲 𝗡𝗬 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝘄𝗰𝗮𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝘁 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗚𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗬𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗙𝗮𝗶𝗿
The Taste NY program was back and better than ever at this year’s Great New York State Fair!

In celebration of the program’s 10-year anniversary, Taste NY hosted a special Tasting Yard, featuring local breweries, at the Fair’s Suburban Park. This outdoor, patio-style food and beverage experience featured a rotating selection of half a dozen New York State craft breweries over the course of the Fair, giving visitors a taste of New York’s world-class craft beverage products while they enjoyed the musical acts. The Tasting Yard received rave reviews from fairgoers and helped the participating brewers reach many new customers. Check out some photos below, and keep up with the 10th anniversary using the hashtag #TasteTurns10!

In addition, the annual Taste NY Pop-Up Market and Marketplace presented expanded offerings in a new location, directly across from the Maple Booth in the Horticulture Building. Featuring more than 100 unique products, the Taste NY Pop-Up Market and Marketplace gave fairgoers an opportunity to sample and shop for food, beverages, and gift items sourced from the 11 regions of New York State. Businesses rotated during the Fair, providing guests a new experience each time they visited the Marketplace, including on Grape Day at the Great New York State Fair, where New York’s grape and wine industry was on display. Find a complete list of Taste NY vendors featured at the Great New York State Fair here.

We’re already looking forward to seeing what Taste NY will do at the 2024 Fair!

𝗡𝗬𝗦 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘄𝗻 & 𝗖𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗲𝗱 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺 𝗪𝗲𝗹𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝗕𝗲𝗹𝗴𝗶𝗼𝗶𝗼𝘀𝗼 𝗖𝗵𝗲𝗲𝘀𝗲
In August, the New York Belgioioso dairy processing plants, located in Glenville and Campbell, joined the New York State Grown & Certified program for their 84 Italian cheeses. The two New York State Belgioioso plants also produce the Polly-O and Cappiello lines; all three brands can be found widely at retailers across the state. Almost 100 percent of the 41,512,272 gallons of milk processed annually by these Belgioioso locations is sourced from New York farms, with over 80% of that milk coming from dairy farms participating in an environmental program. Please join us in extending a warm welcome to the program!

Launched in 2016, the New York State Grown & Certified program assures consumers that the food they are buying is local and produced to a higher standard by requiring participating producers to adopt food safety standards and enroll in an environmental management program. Interested in becoming New York State Grown & Certified? Visit https://certified.ny.gov/.

𝗖𝘂𝗿𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗙𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗢𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀
• RFP 0305 – Land Trusts Grants Program Round 5: Farmland Protection Outreach Activities
Applications are due November 17, 2023.

• RFP 0314 – Marketing and Advertising for New York State County and Local Fairs
Applications are due October 18, 2023.

• RFA 0307 – FreshConnect CSA for SNAP Program
Applications are due November 1, 2023.

• RFA 0294 – Farmland Protection Implementation Grants Round 19 – Agricultural Conservation Easement Projects
Applications are taken on a rolling basis.

• RFA 0263 – Municipal Agriculture and Farmland Protection Planning Grants
Applications are taken on a rolling basis.

• RFA 0262 – County Agriculture and Farmland Protection Planning Grants
Applications are taken on a rolling basis.

• RFA 0238 – Farmland Protection Implementation Grants Round 18 – Conservation Easement Projects
Applications are taken on a rolling basis.

• RFA 0181 – Source Water Buffer Program
Applications are taken on a rolling basis.

For more information on these or other funding opportunities, please visit our Funding Opportunities page.

𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁: 𝗗𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗔𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀 #𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗠𝗲𝗔𝘁𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗙𝗮𝗶𝗿 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗪𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀
In addition to visiting The Great New York State Fair, Commissioner Ball and other Department staff members have been traveling across the state visiting county and youth fairs. New York is home to more than 50 county and youth fairs, providing opportunities for New Yorkers of all ages to learn about local agriculture, where our food comes from, and how it’s grown, harvested, and marketed to the public. From delicious food and thrilling rides to quality showcases of agricultural achievements, fairs are critical cultural touchstones for New Yorkers of all ages, and we were grateful to be able to visit so many across the state.

This summer, to help promote county and youth fairs across the state as well as celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Taste NY program, the Department hosted a new #FindMeAtTheFair contest, offering a chance to win prizes, including Taste NY regional gift baskets and VIP seating for concerts at The Great New York State Fair.

The Grand Prize was awarded to Lauren and Kevin Brennan, who won a Taste NY regional picnic basket, tickets to the Great New York State Fair, and VIP concert tickets to Anne Wilson. The pair enjoyed a fun-filled day at the Fair on their eighth wedding anniversary, exploring the grounds, visiting animals, and eating delicious food. We congratulate Lauren and Kevin on their win and thank them for spending their anniversary at the Fair! We also thank all the participants in the #FindMeAtTheFair contest – we look forward to helping make many more years of making lasting memories at the fair!

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