Genesee Valley Regional Market Authority and the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets are providing $150,000 for projects that promote and market New York’s agriculture industry — and $50,000 of it is earmarked for Black, indigenous and people of color in agriculture.
The goal is to strengthen the state’s diverse agriculture industry and spur economic growth, according to a news release.
“These investments are so important for agriculture as we move forward and work to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic,” state agriculture commissioner Richard Ball said in the release. “For the first time, funds will also directly benefit our BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Color) communities, and support the goals of the state’s diversity and racial equity workgroup.”
The Genesee authority and state department solicit applications each year to help develop agriculture and agriculture-related businesses in nine counties in the Finger Lakes and Southern Tier regions.
Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations, municipalities and educational institutions. Specific projects will promote and market New York agriculture and may include:
- The establishment, promotion or marketing of farmers’ markets;
- The increased access to New York farm products in communities of need; and
- The development of food processing and on-farm work skills.
The deadline for applications is 3 p.m. ET March 1.
The Request for Proposals and additional details are available here.
