2016 New Farmers Grant Fund to provide $1 million for New York’s young farmers
(Long Island, NY) Less than one month after (S.4158A) was signed into law, Senator Marc Panepinto (D-Buffalo) praised Governor Cuomo for his commitment to New York’s young farmers with his announcement of the 2016 New Farmers Grant Fund.
The 2016 grant fund will provide $1 million in grants of up to 50 percent of total project costs for eligible applicants. Eligible costs include farm machinery, supplies, equipment and construction costs. The fund is open to farmers in the first 10 years of having a farm operation of 150 acres or less.
“The continued prosperity of our agriculture industry is vital to New York’s economy,” said Senator Panepinto. “In order to continue that legacy, it is crucial that we look toward a new generation of farmers. Governor Cuomo’s commitment to New York’s agriculture industry and our young farmers is unwavering. With the help of $1 million through the New Farmers Grant Fund, we can ensure our young farmers have the tools they need to succeed for generations to come.”
A grant application for the 2016 New Farmers Grant Fund and guidelines can be found here. The deadline is January 22, 2016.
The Ranking Member of the Agriculture Committee, Senator Panepinto’s sponsored legislation (S.4158A) was signed into law by Governor Cuomo last month. The farmland protection legislation amends the Agriculture and Markets Law by encouraging local municipalities to prioritize and identify prime farmland for a new generation of farmers.
Senator Panepinto’s legislation provides for the following (S.4158/A.2369):
- Amend the Agriculture and Markets Law by amending county and municipal farmland protection provisions
- Encourage local government to include planning efforts to support the transfer of farmland to young and beginning farmers
- Identify and prioritize prime farmland and property for development
- Contribute to the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture’s goal of recruiting more than 100,000 new farmers
Senator Panepinto represents the 60th Senate District, which includes parts of the City of Buffalo as well as communities in both the Northtowns and the Southtowns of Western New York.
