ALBANY — Governor Andrew Cuomo launched NYS Grown & Certified in 2016 to help meet the growing consumer demand for local foods grown or produced to a higher standard. The program certifies New York State producers who adhere to high food safety and environmental stewardship standards. The NYS Grown & Certified Program was designed to strengthen consumer confidence in New York products and assist farmers so they can take advantage of the growing market demand for locally grown foods that are produced to a higher standard. Certified producers are able to use a special New York State seal that indicates the producer adheres to higher standards of food safety and environmental stewardship. It is supported by a marketing campaign including on-product labels, promotional materials, such as the NYS Grown & Certified website, and sales materials, to educate retail and wholesale buyers on the value of the program. For more information on NYS Grown & Certified, visit certified.ny.gov.
Funding is still available!
NY State Dept of Ag and Markets has awarded a $500,000 grant to implement the program in the Mohawk Valley Region. CCE Oneida County was chosen as the administrator of these funds for the following six counties: Fulton/ Montgomery, Herkimer, Otsego/Schoharie & Oneida to help Mohawk Valley producers meet the food safety standards necessary for participation in the certification program.
The program is open to agricultural producers who want to become certified in the NYS Grown & Certified Program. Eligible commodities are dairy, eggs, beef, poultry, pork, shellfish, Christmas trees, maple, cut flowers, craft beverage ingredients, wine, spirits, beer and cider. Applicants are required to contribute 10 percent of the total project cost in the form of cash equity. Eligible producers can apply for grant funding of up to $50,000. Cornell Cooperative Extension offices throughout the six-county Mohawk Valley Region in the New York State Grown & Certified Agricultural Producers Grant Program will provide technical assistance to producers, including assistance with Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs). Soil and Water Conservation offices in the six counties will assist grant recipients with Agriculture Environmental Management (AEM).
For more information or application materials visit www.cceoneida.com/NYGC or contact the Cooperative Extension Office in your County.
–Cornell Cooperative Extension
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