The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets (the “Department”) invites eligible not-for-profit conservation organizations (Land Trusts) to submit proposals for financial assistance to conduct activities that will assist counties and municipalities with their agricultural and farmland protection efforts.
Donor Name: New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets
State: New York
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 11/17/2023
Size of the Grant: Up to $50,000
Grant Duration: 3 years
Details:
Specifically, State funding under this grant opportunity will support local agricultural and farmland protection goals by informing owners of viable agricultural land of the mechanisms and programs available to protect their lands from conversion to non-farm uses and highlighting on-farm marketing, production and agritourism opportunities for preserved farms. Projects will consist of outreach activities intended to reach the owners of viable agricultural land utilizing an inventory of viable agricultural lands and a screening process to identify subsets of landowners to focus on for such outreach activities.
Availability of funding for this program is from the Farmland Protection Line of the New York State Environmental Protection Fund.
Funding Information
Funding in the amount of $500,000 will be available under this RFP. The maximum State award will be up to $50,000 per proposal/applicant.
Project Duration
The start date for awarded contracts is anticipated to be on or about December 22, 2023, and projects are expected to be completed within three years from award date.
General Requirements
Eligible activities will focus on the utilization and conservation of agricultural lands using the following required project elements:
- an inventory of viable agricultural lands;
- a screening process; and
- outreach activities targeted to the owners of viable agricultural land
Eligibility Criteria
- Proposals for funding will be accepted from New York not-for-profit conservation organizations (as defined in the New York Environmental Conservation Law that are organized for, among other purposes, the conservation or preservation of real property.
- Pursuant to New York State Agriculture and Markets Law (AML) Section 325-a, to be eligible for state assistance payments under this program, an organization must have at least one active farmer on their board of directors. If an organization does not have an active farmer on their board of directors at the time of application an active farmer must be appointed to such board of directors within 60 days of receiving an award.
For more information, visit NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets.
