New York Making 1 Million Dollars in Grants Available to New Farmers

New York farmers who've been "at it" for 10 years or less are eligible for grant money through the New Farmers Grant Fund. 

The fund has been distributing money throughout the state for the last few years. In a nutshell, the program will match funds you provide to expand agricultural production, diversify what you are growing or raising or to expand the season. Many Central New York operations have used the fund to build new barns to house more cows or expand their heifer program.

To be eligible for money; you must have been employed in farming for 10 years or less and have at least $10 thousand dollars farming income in 2016. The grants are a minimum of 15-thousand dollars with a maximum of 50-thousand dollars available.

The application deadline is January 26 with awards being announced in late Spring or early Summer of the coming year. Cornell's Beginning Farmer's website has more details and an online application.

SOURCE: Cornell Cooperative Extension