The Ulster County Farm Viability & Sustainability Grant Program, administered by the Hudson Valley AgriBusiness Development Corporation (HVADC) provides grants to small and mid-sized farms in Ulster County to increase Farm Viability and Energy Efficiency or Climate Resiliency.
Donor Name: Hudson Valley AgriBusiness Development Corporation
State: New York
County: Ulster County (NY)
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 04/30/2025
Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000
Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned
Details:
The purposes of this Program, Farm Viability is defined as increased profitability, production, and/or marketing capacity; Energy Efficiency is defined as a reduction in energy usage and/or an increase in renewable energy usage; and Climate Resiliency is defined as any action that enhances or protects the farm business from weather-related impacts.
Funds provided by this grant to farms in Ulster County are intended be used for services, equipment, production costs, and other expenses to build both economic and environmental sustainability within Ulster County’s farm sector in the face of real-time effects of climate change, increased production costs, and challenging market systems.
Program Priorities
Funding is available for projects related to the following program priorities:
- Increased Farm Viability
- Market Development
- Enhanced Production
- Improved Profitability/Cost-Savings.
- Energy Efficiency Related to On-Farm or Farm-Business Operations
- Facility upgrades in farm operations
- Climate Resiliency in farm operations and practices (e.g. improvements to soil health, erosion prevention, water saving/reuse)
- Project increases farm’s product diversity, health, and self-reliance with the ability to adapt when confronted with changing market conditions, uncertain environmental conditions, and/or supply chain interruptions:
- Projects MUST demonstrate Increased Farm Viability and either Energy Efficiency or Climate Resiliency.
- An effective application will reflect the County’s priorities in this Program and show the following:
- The reason that the farm’s existing equipment and systems do not meet their current needs, and how this grant project is both timely and necessary for the business to succeed.
- The project is part of a proactive plan for future operation and continued business viability, with measurable results.
- The project will have significant positive impacts on applicant’s business including but not limited to energy savings or climate resiliency.
Funding Information
- A total of $586,256 will be awarded to Ulster County farms through this grant program.
- Maximum award is $75,000. Applicants may not request more than this per project.
- Minimum award is $25,000. Applicants must request at least this much per project.
Eligible Equipment and Expenses
- Examples of eligible equipment and expenses include but are not limited to:
- Electric/Biodiesel Truck/Tractor
- Precise Irrigation Systems
- Upgrade to energy efficient equipment and/or system
- Cold Storage
- Farm Equipment
- Wash/Pack
- Solar Panels
- Equipment installation services (e.g., plumbing needed for equipment or hooking up electrical for the equipment purchased)
- Supplies (any purchases that cost less than $5,000 per unit) serving as critical components to the overall project / system
- Other: shipping costs, rental of general use equipment (not for construction).
- Any construction, renovation, preparation, and/or rehabilitation required for the installation or replacement of equipment.
- Eligible project costs over $5,000 relating to building construction, building renovation, and/or equipment must be supported by a current quote or estimate.
Eligibility Criteria
- Applicants eligible for these funds are existing farm businesses and projects that:
- Are located in Ulster County, NY; and
- Whose annual net income is less than $1,000,000
- Eligible applicants include:
- “Farm Operation,” as defined in section 301 of the Agriculture and Markets Law.
- Not-For-Profits engaged in Farming Activities.
- Eligible applicants must have filed a Schedule F in 2023 and received an Ag Assessment.
For more information, visit HVADC.
