New York Farm Viability Institute (NYFVI) is pleased to announce a new competitive grant program to help beginning farmers build financially sustainable, independent, commercial agricultural businesses.
Donor Name: New York Farm Viability Institute (NYFVI)
State: New York
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 01/24/2025
Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000
Grant Duration: 2 Years
Details:
The Beginning Farmer competitive grant program is funded through the generous support of the Governor and the New York State legislature. It is administered by the NYFVI in partnership with NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets (NYS AGM).
Farmers who have not operated a farm for more than 10 years and who will materially and substantially participate in operating the farm within the State are eligible to submit proposals. It is expected that all applicants will have a serious interest in building a financially sustainable, independent, commercial agricultural enterprise.
Funding Information
$850,000 will be awarded in this Statewide program.
- Track 1
- Total Funds Available: $300,000
- Minimum grant award: $5,000
- Maximum grant award: $25,000
- Project Duration: 18 months from execution of contract
- Track 2
- Total Funds Available: $550,000
- Minimum grant award: $50,000
- Maximum grant award: $250,000
- Project Duration: 24 months from execution of contract
Grants may be awarded for purposes including, but not limited to:
- the start-up, improvement, or expansion of a farm operation
- worker or apprenticeship training
- marketing activities
- the purchase of agricultural land and physical structures thereon
- the purchase of machinery, equipment, or livestock
- the construction or improvement of physical structures, including semi-permanent structures
- other business needs as justified by the applicant’s proposal
Criteria
- Applicants will need to be able to communicate clearly about their business strategy, financial sustainability, and the economic impact of the asset or services the grant funds would support.
- Proposals focused on production of agricultural products are eligible. Grants will be available to farmers who have operated a farm for 10 years or less and who will materially and substantially participate in operating a farm within a region of New York State. Proposals in each track will be evaluated in three areas: farmer readiness, business readiness, and business impact. Recipients may include urban farmers. Nonprofits are not eligible.
- This grant will be paid on a reimbursable basis, meaning the farmer must have the resources available to implement the project and then later be reimbursed. Both tracks require the applicant to provide and document the use of a 5% match. A match may be provided as a monetary or in-kind contribution to the project’s cost. Other NYS grants are not permissible to use as a match.
For more information, visit NYFVI.
