NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets

Farm employers: If you want to apply to receive reimbursement through the Farm Employer Overtime Credit, the deadline for applications is ONE WEEK FROM TODAY, Monday, September 30! Earlier this year, Governor Kathy Hochul announced that eligible farm employers could apply for a certificate of advance payment so they can receive reimbursement from the Department of Taxation and Finance for eligible overtime paid to their employees between January 1, 2024 to July 31, 2024. The Farm Employer Overtime Credit was created by Governor Kathy Hochul as part of her 2022 State of the State pledge to help farmers meet the challenge of farm labor costs, which are among the fastest-growing costs of agricultural production in New York. To learn more about this tax credit opportunity, eligibility requirements, and how to apply, visit: https://lnkd.in/evzWdzt9

We’re hiring! The Department is seeking a Chief Diversity Officer to join our team in Albany, NY. This position plays a critical role in fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace and ensuring that diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) principles are integrated into the Department's policies, program development, employee lifecycle, and service delivery. If you are passionate about New York agriculture and excited about the opportunity to create a meaningful impact with the Department, you could be a great fit! We encourage any and all qualified applicants to apply. Learn more about this position and how to apply here: https://lnkd.in/eqwc7Fbm

Attention: Today is the LAST DAY to apply for the Northeast Regional Food Business Award! The Northeast Regional Food Business Center is offering awards for technical assistance providers who provide direct business technical assistance or support network development among TA providers in the Northeast region. Applications will be open from July 22 to August 23. More information about the funding opportunity and how to apply is available here: https://lnkd.in/eheERZgP

We’re excited to share that the Department, alongside our partners at Cornell University, is announcing the launch of the Community Garden Leadership Certificate Program! The Community Garden Leadership Program is a comprehensive online certificate program designed to elevate current community garden leaders the tools to create robust, sustainable community gardens over the course of one year through a series of structured modules coupled with intentional community engagement. In New York, community gardens help to build healthier neighborhoods and contribute to more sustainable, resilient local food systems. Funding for this program, including full participant sponsorship, is provided through the Urban Farms and Community Gardens program. Program applications are now open and will be accepted through October 1, 2024. Up to 15 community garden leaders from across New York State will be selected for the inaugural cohort. For more information, and to apply to the program, please visit: https://lnkd.in/eXwAKzqH

HPAI UPDATE: Today, Department announced an update to the State’s previously issued temporary import requirements for dairy cattle coming into New York. The new amendment requires testing of non-lactating cattle before importation into New York State for cows that originate from a state where HPAI has been confirmed in cattle within 30 days of import. All previous conditions remain unchanged. No cases of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in dairy cattle and goats have been detected in New York livestock to date. Pasteurized milk and dairy products remain safe to consume as pasteurization kills harmful microbes and pathogens in milk, including the influenza virus, and there is also no concern regarding the consumption of properly cooked meat products. To learn more about the amendment and import requirements, visit: https://lnkd.in/eQiwiVkJ

This week we are celebrating World Food Safety Week! As a leader in food safety initiatives, New York State is committed to ensuring every consumer can feel confident that all the foods they buy in our state comply with our safety laws and standards. Follow along this week as we spotlight staff whose critical work helps keep New Yorkers safe! Today we feature Peter Olsen, a microbiologist from The Food Laboratory Division. This Division provides expert analytical testing to support food safety programs throughout New York State. The Food Lab’s main goal is to protect public health by analyzing the purity of product and label accuracy. It also serves other divisions like the Plant Industry, Food Safety and Inspection, and Milk Control and Dairy Services. Want to learn more about The Food Laboratory? Click this link: https://lnkd.in/e3EvM9Sw

Earlier this month, the Department announced a cooperative agreement with USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service that will offer over $14.7 million through the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Grant Program. Funding will help provide technical assistance to farmers and food businesses operating at the middle of the supply chain, helping to enhance coordination throughout the food system and improve access to markets for farmers. The Department is partnering with Farm and Food Growth Fund, Inc (FFGF) to administer the grant program and to fund projects that focus on increasing the supply of New York-sourced food products available in New York markets and will benefit multiple producers and multiple markets.   Applications for the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program are open now through Friday, June 28. If you are interested in applying, but have some questions, we have great news! You can join Farm and Food Growth Fund for an Open Office Hours tomorrow May 29th from 12pm-1pm to help answer any of your questions! Register online at ffgrowthfund.org  

This #EarthWeek, we want to remind you that we are approaching the deadline to apply for the AEM-Leopold Conservation award! Each year, a New York farm is awarded the annual AEM-Leopold Conservation Award by the Soil and Water Conservation Districts and their Sand County Foundation for their collective efforts to protect the environment (in 2023, we honored Dygert Farms Creamery!). If that sounds like you – or someone you know – we encourage you to work with your local Soil and Water Conservation District to apply! Applications are being accepted through May 15, 2024. To learn more about the award and how to apply, visit: https://lnkd.in/d8ywwaHe

Production animal veterinarians: this one is for you! GlobalVetLink (GVL) is hosting an informative webinar to introduce attendees to the GVL platform and discuss the Department’s Production Animal Certificate of Veterinary Instruction (CVI) program. To register for the webinar, visit: https://lnkd.in/ekU9U22s Last month, the Department announced a new partnership with GVL to build on the state’s efforts to transition to digital CVIs. Funding for this project was provided through USDA’s Animal Disease Traceability program, and complements Governor Hochul’s goal to promote a One Health approach as part of New York’s agrifood system. Learn more at: https://lnkd.in/ejKbyZhm

Keep your eyes peeled 👀 two grant opportunities available for New York agricultural businesses are coming down the pipeline this spring! Through the USDA Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program (RFSI), the Department is partnering with Farm and Food Growth Fund, Inc, to administer a funding opportunity to strengthen local and regional food systems. There will be two available grant opportunities: 🥕Infrastructure Grants: Applications may be submitted for projects ranging from $100,000 - $3,million. 🍏Equipment-Only Grants: Eligible applicants may request awards in the amount of $10,000 - $100,000. Those interested in applying should check the Department’s RFSI webpage, as well as the USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure webpage, for more information about RFSI requirements, program resources and notice of the application period opening this spring.