The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets has launched two new award programs to help novice farmers as well as those who are socially and economically disadvantaged.
“Access to capital is one of the largest barriers to the start-up and success of new and beginning farms,” said Commissioner of Agriculture Richard Ball in a press statement.
The average age of farmers in New York is 56.7, with only around 6,300 producers under the age of 34, according to the USDA’s Census of Agriculture. Approximately 900 of the state’s 57,500 producers identify as non-white.
These programs aim to assist individuals who are less likely to engage or thrive in the business due to a lack of capital, experience, and other resources, as well as social and economic prejudice, by purchasing land, structures, cattle, and equipment. Additionally, they can use the funds to train their employees and launch marketing campaigns to expand their customer base.
“Agriculture is a challenging business to enter.” Some people believe that if you are not born into it, you cannot succeed.” It is undoubtedly a difficult challenge,” said Dave Grusenmeyer, executive director of the New York Farm Viability Institute.
The Beginning Farmer Grant Program provides incentives to farmers that have been in business for less than ten years or are new. The New York Farm Viability Institute will administer the $850,000 grant, with payments ranging from $5,000 to $250,000.
The Northeast Farmers of Color Land Trust will distribute $3.4 million in support to socially and economically disadvantaged farmers in increments of $5,000 to $250,000.
“It is critical that we provide socially and economically disadvantaged farmers with the resources they require to bless this land with their hands and fill our plates with nourishment,” said Christine Hutchinson, NEFOC’s black land stewardship cultivation co-director.
