10/06/2022
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๐๐ฎ๐ฟ๐บ-๐๐ผ-๐ฆ๐ฐ๐ต๐ผ๐ผ๐น ๐ ๐ผ๐ป๐๐ต
October is Farm-to-School Month! Thereโs no better time to celebrate the bounty of New Yorkโs agricultural products in our schools than harvest season. From local New York apples to fresh veggies, schools across the state have been supporting our farmers by serving up delicious lunches and teaching our students all about where their food comes from.
The Department is proud to be a key player in the Farm-to-School effort, with programs like the 30% Initiative, the Farm-to-School grant program, New York State Grown & Certified and Nourish New York. Stay tuned for an exciting announcement on the Farm-to-School grant program coming later this month!
๐๐ฒ๐น๐ฒ๐ฏ๐ฟ๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐๐น๐ถ๐บ๐ฎ๐๐ฒ ๐ช๐ฒ๐ฒ๐ธ
With agriculture being one of New York Stateโs largest economic sectors, sustainable practices on the farm go a long way toward protecting our natural resources against the effects of climate change. To celebrate Climate Week, September 19 – 25, Governor Hochul announced nearly $7.9 million was awarded through the Climate Resilient Farming Grant Program. This round of funding will help 70 New York State farms reduce their environmental footprint and prepare for climate change-related extreme weather events. The Climate Resilient Farming Program was launched in 2015 and is helping New Yorkโs agricultural community meet its goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions under the state’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act. So far, the program has received six rounds of funding โ totaling nearly $20 million โ to help farms across New York State implement best management practices to protect our environment. This yearโs selected projects will reduce greenhouse gases by an estimated 68,495 metric tons of CO2e per year, an equivalent to eliminating almost 14,800 cars per year from the road.
Governor Hochul also announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) awarded $60 million to the NYS Connects: Climate Smart Farms and Forests Project. The NYS Connects: Climate Smart Farms and Forests Project will help agriculture producers and forest landowners implement climate smart practices and foster connections between landowners and companies with a growing demand for climate smart commodities. With this funding, the initiative will:
โข fund landowners working to implement climate smart agriculture and forestry (CSAF) practices;
โข identify and combat social and behavioral barriers to practicing CSAF practices; and
โข develop new tools to measure, quantify, monitor, report and verify CSAF practices.
๐ฆ๐ฒ๐ป๐ฑ๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐๐๐ฟ๐ฟ๐ถ๐ฐ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฒ ๐๐๐๐ถ๐๐๐ฎ๐ป๐ฐ๐ฒ ๐๐ผ ๐ฃ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐๐ผ ๐ฅ๐ถ๐ฐ๐ผ
In response to the devastating effects of Hurricane Fiona, the Department sent a team member to Puerto Rico as part of a multi-agency team of emergency response personnel, coordinated by Governor Hochulโs office. The Emergency Operations Center Support Team will help families and key industries, including the agricultural industry, as they recover and rebuild. The Department is proud to help with the coordination of an approximately 37,000-pound donation of mixed fresh produce, including cabbage, squash, onions, carrots, and potatoes on behalf of Feeding New York State. In total, there are 1,680 23-pound boxes of food being donated to the Banco de Alimentos de Puerto Rico (Food Bank of Puerto Rico) to be distributed across Puerto Rico.
๐๐ผ๐ป๐ผ๐ฟ๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐๐๐ป๐ด๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐๐ฐ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป ๐ ๐ผ๐ป๐๐ต
In, September the State recognized Hunger Action Month, giving us an opportunity to raise awareness about and combat food insecurity across our state. New York has long been committed to the fight against hunger by launching critical programs to help ensure our most vulnerable residents have food on their plates, including the Departmentโs Nourish New York initiative. The initiative allows New York’s emergency food providers to purchase surplus products from New York farmers and dairy manufacturers and deliver them to New York families in need through New York’s network of food banks and emergency food providers. Nourish New York, which was initially established to fight food insecurity during the pandemic, is now permanently enshrined in state law and has helped food banks purchase over 50 million pounds of New York farm products.
On September 23, several state landmarks were lit in orange to recognize Hunger Action Day and Hunger Action month. To help make a difference to those in need, visit feedingamerica.org/take-action/ to find out more about how to help year-round.
๐ฆ๐ฝ๐ผ๐๐๐ฒ๐ฑ ๐๐ฎ๐ป๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ป๐ณ๐น๐ ๐๐ผ๐ป๐ณ๐ถ๐ฟ๐บ๐ฒ๐ฑ ๐ถ๐ป ๐๐๐ณ๐ณ๐ฎ๐น๐ผ ๐๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฎ
The Department is urging residents in Western New York to be on the lookout for Spotted Lanternfly (SLF), after a population was found in the Buffalo area in September. SLF is a destructive pest that feeds on more than 70 plant species, including tree-of-heaven, and plants and crops that are critical to New Yorkโs agricultural economy, such as grapevine, apple trees, and hops.
The Departmentโs Division of Plant Industry inspectors responded to reports of SLF in a residential area of Buffalo adjacent to an active rail line; around 100 adults were found in early September. Agriculture and Markets staff is continuing to survey the surrounding areas.
While surveys in the area are ongoing, the Department is asking for the publicโs help in slowing down the spread of SLF in this area by reporting any sightings immediately to agriculture.ny.gov/reportSLF.
In addition to reporting, residents across New York State are asked to:
โข Take pictures of the insect, egg masses, or infestation you see and, if possible, include something for size, such as a coin or ruler.
โข If possible, collect the insect. Place in a bag and freeze, or in a jar with rubbing alcohol or hand sanitizer.
โข Note the location (street address and zip code, intersecting roads, landmarks, or GPS coordinates).
Learn more
๐๐๐ถ๐ฎ๐ป ๐๐ป๐ณ๐น๐๐ฒ๐ป๐๐ฎ ๐จ๐ฝ๐ฑ๐ฎ๐๐ฒ
With Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) still a concern in the US and the number of cases in both commercial and backyard flocks increasing as we head into the fall, the Department is reminding farmers to practice biosecurity measures to prevent the spread of HPAI.
The Department is encouraging poultry producers to follow best practices, which include:
โข Discourage unnecessary visitors and use biosecurity signs to warn people not to enter buildings without permission;
โข Ask all visitors if they have had any contact with any birds in the past five days;
โข Forbid entry to employees and visitors who own any kind of fowl;
โข Require all visitors to cover and disinfect all footwear;
โข Lock all entrances to chicken houses after hours;
โข Avoid non-essential vehicular traffic on-farm;
โข After hauling birds to processors, clean and disinfect poultry transport coops and vehicles before they return to the farm; and
โข Report anything unusual, especially sick or dead birds, to the State Department of Agriculture and Markets.
Poultry owners should also take steps to reduce wild bird attractants, as this is a risk factor for the spread of HPAI in the current outbreak. They should:
โข Store poultry feed in covered containers. Be sure to clean up any feed spillage immediately;
โข Fence off ponds where wild birds congregate and remove any areas of standing water;
โข Keep poultry waste and carcasses securely covered at all times;
โข Do not walk through or move equipment through areas where waterfowl droppings may be present; and
โข Consider limiting outdoor access for poultry during high-risk periods, such as migration season.
Best practices for visitors to farms include:
โข Never enter a farm without permission;
โข Wear clean clothes and shoes for any visit to a farm;
โข Stay in the parking lot on arrival and call for an escort onto the farm;
โข Do not touch animals unless it’s part of your job; and
โข Report anything unusual, especially sick or dead birds to the State Department of Agriculture and Markets.
In addition to this reminder, the Department is working with Cornell Cooperative Extensionโs Livestock Program Work Team to offer a free presentation to farmers to learn more about HPAI, what we know so far about the current outbreak, and how we should prepare for the fall migration.
This event will be held virtually on Wednesday, October 12 from 7 – 8pm. Register here
๐จ๐ฝ๐ฐ๐ผ๐บ๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐๐๐ฒ๐ป๐๐ ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐ฅ๐ฒ๐บ๐ถ๐ป๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐
๐๐ฆ๐ฏ๐ด๐ถ๐ด ๐ฐ๐ง ๐๐จ๐ณ๐ช๐ค๐ถ๐ญ๐ต๐ถ๐ณ๐ฆ, ๐๐ฐ๐ฎ๐ช๐ฏ๐จ ๐ช๐ฏ ๐๐ฐ๐ท๐ฆ๐ฎ๐ฃ๐ฆ๐ณ
The Census of Agriculture is a complete count of Americaโs farms and ranches and the people who operate them. Taken every five years, the census provides valuable information used at the local, state, and national levels to plan for the future. The census is the only source of uniform, comprehensive agricultural data for every state, county, and county equivalent in the nation. By participating in the census, you show the value and importance of U.S. agriculture.
USDA will begin data collection for the 2022 Census of Agriculture in November 2022. Please respond in one of the following ways:
โข Online at www.agcounts.usda.gov. Online reporting is fast, user friendly, and secure.
โข By mail. Fill out the census questionnaire and return it in the prepaid envelope provided.
For more information on the Census of Agriculture, visit: nass.usda.gov/AgCensus
๐๐ฆ๐ฏ๐ต๐ข๐ญ ๐๐ฆ๐ข๐ญ๐ต๐ฉ ๐๐ช๐ณ๐ด๐ต ๐๐ช๐ฅ ๐๐ณ๐ข๐ช๐ฏ๐ช๐ฏ๐จ๐ด
Join NY FarmNet and county Cornell Cooperative Extensions statewide for a series of Mental Health First Aid trainings throughout the month of October. Mental Health First Aid teaches you how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges among adults. Youโll build skills and confidence you need to reach out and provide initial support to those who are struggling. Youโll also learn how to help connect them to appropriate support.
Farmers, agribusiness workers, and anyone who interacts with the agricultural community are encouraged to attend this free training. Lunch will be provided. Learn more and register
๐๐ข๐ณ๐ฎ ๐๐ช๐ญ๐ญ
Throughout the summer, Commissioner Ball and Department staff traveled across the state to hear from stakeholders about issues important to them in preparation for the upcoming 2023 Farm Bill. Feedback gathered during the tour is being provided to Governor Hochul to help develop New York Stateโs Farm Bill priorities for critical funding and policy changes in the areas of agriculture, nutrition, and the environment.
For those who were unable to attend a listening session in person, the Department is encouraging written comment to be submitted. The deadline to submit written comment is December 19, 2022. Email FarmBill@agriculture.ny.gov to let us know what is important to you.
๐๐ช๐ฅ๐ฆ๐ณ ๐๐ฆ๐ฆ๐ฌ
Mark your calendars for fall Cider Week New York, running through October 9! From tastings to tours, New York Cider Week offers events across the state to help you get to know local cider producers. For more information on how to enjoy some of New Yorkโs most delicious local beverages, visit ciderweeknewyork.com. Visit certified.ny.gov/wheretobuy to find a NYS Grown & Certified cidery near you.
๐๐ข๐ด๐ต๐ฆ ๐๐ ๐๐ช๐จ๐ฉ๐ญ๐ช๐จ๐ฉ๐ต๐ด ๐๐ฆ๐ธ ๐ ๐ฐ๐ณ๐ฌ ๐๐ฑ๐ฑ๐ญ๐ฆ๐ด
Taste NY Markets are taking a shine to New York apples! October is National Apple Month and New York is the second-largest apple producing state in the country – in fact, New York State produces 29.5 million bushels each year! To celebrate this month, Taste NY Markets across the state will offer specials, showcase local U-pick information, and feature various other promotions to “apple-aud” our growersโ efforts. Visit Taste.ny.gov for a list of locations.
๐๐ณ๐ฐ๐ธ๐ฏ ๐ข๐ฏ๐ฅ ๐๐ฆ๐ณ๐ต๐ช๐ง๐ช๐ฆ๐ฅ ๐๐ฆ๐ต๐ด ๐ข ๐๐ฐ๐ฐ๐ด๐ต!
New York State Grown & Certified farms got a promotional boost in September with help from a new marketing campaign that was seen by consumers across the State. The campaign highlighted New Yorkโs diverse array of specialty crops and encouraged consumers to โLook for the Labelโ and find New York State Grown & Certified products, such as fruits, vegetables, herbs, honey, maple, and more at retailers across the State.
The campaign, which was created by Paperkiteโ
a marketing firm in Cooperstownโincluded digital media advertisements placed on all social media platforms, including on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, TikTok, Snapchat, Spotify, and YouTube; radio advertisements and sponsorships; and a traditional marketing campaign that included billboards that were visible in Albany, Buffalo, Kingston, Rochester, Syracuse, and in New York City. The advertisements directed consumers to the Grown & Certified website at: certified.ny.gov/lookforthelabel.
๐๐๐ฟ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ป๐ ๐๐๐ป๐ฑ๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐ข๐ฝ๐ฝ๐ผ๐ฟ๐๐๐ป๐ถ๐๐ถ๐ฒ๐
โข RFP 0279 – Implementation of Agricultural Environmental Management Plans on New York State Grown & Certified Farms: https://on.ny.gov/3T1z9CB
Applications are due October 24, 2022.
โข RFA 0263 – Municipal Agriculture and Farmland Protection Planning Grants: https://on.ny.gov/3ecwcQY
Applications are taken on a rolling basis.
โข RFA 0262 – County Agriculture and Farmland Protection Planning Grants: https://on.ny.gov/3V7xrkR
Applications are taken on a rolling basis.
โข RFA 0181 – Source Water Buffer Program: https://on.ny.gov/3yldahX
Applications are taken on a rolling basis.
For more information on these or other funding opportunities, please visit our Funding Opportunities page
๐ฆ๐ฝ๐ผ๐๐น๐ถ๐ด๐ต๐: ๐ก๐ฒ๐ ๐ฌ๐ผ๐ฟ๐ธ ๐ฆ๐๐ฎ๐๐ฒ ๐๐ผ๐๐๐ ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐ก๐๐ฆ๐๐ ๐๐ป๐ป๐๐ฎ๐น ๐ ๐ฒ๐ฒ๐๐ถ๐ป๐ด
Last week, the Department hosted commissioners, secretaries, and directors of agriculture from across the country at the 2022 National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) Annual Meeting in Saratoga Springs. The meeting, which was themed โStill Growing,โ focused on opportunities presented by the 2023 Farm Bill, international trade, securing a skilled, sustainable workforce for the agricultural and food industry, and other pressing issues.
The event was packed with exciting events and engaging discussions, including:
โข expert panels on agriculture careers, climate change, and more;
โข an announcement and words of wisdom from U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack;
โข an opening Plenary Session featuring a performance from the Leading Tones of the Schoharie Central School District, a recitation of the FFA Creed and presentation of the colors by the South Jefferson Chapter of the New York FFA Association, and two great poems read by New York Agriculture in the Classroom’s #StillGrowing poetry contest winners;
โข a delicious Presidentโs Dinner featuring donated produce from Commissioner Ballโs farm; and in conclusion of the week-long meeting; and
โข a committee and business meeting, where policy was debated and voted on.
It was a great week, and we thank everyone who participated in these important discussions and actions that chart a number of opportunities ahead for agriculture in the United States. NASDA members passed 12 policy amendments and five action items to continue working toward the advancement of agriculture.
At the end of the conference, Commissioner Ball passed the oar to Director Doug Miyamoto from the Wyoming Department of Agriculture, who will take the lead as NASDAโs new president in the coming year. Commissioner Ball has been honored to serve at the helm of NASDA this past year, helping to guide important policy initiatives for agriculture. We look forward to Director Miyamotoโs leadership moving forward.
