$1 Million in Federal Funds for New York's Specialty Crops

ALBANY, NY (04/08/2010)(readMedia)-- New York State Agriculture Commissioner Patrick Hooker today announced two grant opportunities to support and promote specialty crops in New York State. Both programs are funded through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and provide close to $1 million combined for specialty crops, which includes fruits, vegetables, maple, honey and horticulture crops.

"We are pleased once again to have access to these funds from USDA to help our specialty crop industry grow and thrive," the Commissioner said. "New York has a significant specialty crop industry, producing an abundance of fruits, vegetables, flowers, maple syrup and honey, as well as other crops. These grants will help us continue our long-standing tradition of growing these valuable crops and helping our producers remain viable and productive, while also helping New Yorkers become more educated consumers through regional promotional campaigns."

2010 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program – Due May 17, 2010

The purpose of this program is to create partnerships, foster innovation, increase efficiencies and reduce costs; promote and develop new or existing markets; reach consumers in rural, suburban and urban communities; and ultimately, enhance the long term viability of New York's specialty crop agricultural businesses and food systems.

There is a total of $835,000 available through this RFP. Projects must enhance the competitiveness of New York specialty crops and benefit the industry, rather than an individual product or entity. Government organizations, for-profit and not-for-profits, and educational institutions are eligible to receive funding, starting at $30,000 per project.

Awarded projects must address one of the priority areas identified by the industry. Two-thirds of the funding will be for research and grower education, and one-third of the funding will be awarded to projects involving consumer outreach and market development. Examples of eligible projects are included in the RFP.

A free informational webinar on Friday, April 16, 2010 from 2:00 – 4:00 pm will provide an opportunity for potential applicants to learn more about program requirements and the application process. To register, contact Anne St. Cyr at (518) 485-0048 or anne.stcyr@agmkt.state.ny.us.

Applications for the 2010 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program must be received by the Department by May 17, 2010. A copy of the RFP can be found at http://www.agmkt.state.ny.us/RFPS.html or by contacting the Department at 518-457-7076.

Regional "Buy Local" Campaign Development Program – Due June 3, 2010

As consumers become more educated and interested in the various benefits of buying local, many are seeking products that are produced as nearby as possible. As a result, regional "buy local" campaigns have the potential to further raise the profile of local products within their region and offer an additional platform to expand the "buy local" movement by providing a range of services and/or activities to help local producers market their products and assist consumers in identifying local products.

This RFP seeks proposals for projects that will develop or enhance regional "buy local" food and/or agricultural campaigns in eleven distinct and defined regions. There is a total of $13,400 available for each region. New or existing campaigns are eligible to apply.

The overall objective of this RFP is to support projects that will foster increased consumer awareness and recognition of locally produced specialty crops, ultimately leading to increased sales and economic development within each region.

Applications for the Regional "Buy Local" Campaign Development Program must be received by the Department by June 3, 2010. A copy of the RFP can be found at http://www.agmkt.state.ny.us/RFPS.html or by contacting the Department at 518-457-7076.

Specialty crops are defined by USDA as fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture and nursery crops (including floriculture), herbs and spices. A detailed list of commonly recognized specialty crops is provided in the RFPs and at http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/scbgp.

New York State produces a wide range of specialty crops that include fruits and vegetables, wine, maple syrup, horticulture and nursery crops. Specialty crops generate $1.34 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 the leading state in the nation for cabbage; second for apples; third for grapes, cucumbers, cauliflower and maple syrup; and fourth for tart cherries, pears, snap beans and sweet corn.