A new capital investment grant is being offered through the Peconic Land Trust to assist eligible farmers to meet the food safety standards required to participate in the state’s Grown & Certified program.
The certification program promotes local crops and agricultural products to markets across the state and elsewhere.
Since 2016, more than 77 produce growers, 12 Christmas tree growers and nine dairy processors statewide have taken advantage of the marketing assistance provided by the state. Earlier this year, 14 Long Island oyster farmers joined the program. The hope is that local foods produced at a higher standard would help meet the growing consumer demand.
Farmers in Nassau and Suffolk counties can garner up to $50,000 for capital investments to meet or maintain the program’s food safety standards. The grant is a cost-share opportunity—meaning, the grant would cover 90 percent of project costs, while the farmer would be responsible for matching 10 percent.
Eligible farmers produce crops, dairy, shellfish, eggs, beef, poultry, pork, goat, sheep, aquaculture fisheries, maple products, and beverage ingredients.
“The Peconic Land Trust looks forward to working with our partners in agriculture on Long Island to provide opportunities to expand markets and provide access to capital to our local farmers,” said John v.H. Halsey, the president of Peconic Land Trust, in a statement.
“Long Island farmers face some of the highest cost for land and business expenses in the country. Grant programs like these provide an opportunity to offset some of the other costs associated with maintaining and growing an agricultural business on Long Island, and helping to ensure that our rich, agricultural soils and waters produce food for our communities, now and in the future,” he continued.
The funding—totaling $500,000—comes from the State Department of Agriculture and Markets, which oversees the certification program. The land trust is collaborating with other regional partners in New York City, Hudson Valley and the Capital Region to promote farmers with the Grown & Certified seal of approval.
on Dec 14, 2018