ALBANY — The USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant program is administered through the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets. The Department subcontracts with the New York Farm Viability Institute (NYFVI) to conduct the competitive grant portion of the program. Funding is provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Specialty Crop Block Grant Program.
The RFP is soliciting proposals for inclusion in the New York State Department of Agriculture and Market’s application to the USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant Program. Guided by the State’s Specialty Crop Advisory Group, this RFP focuses on a subset of the outcomes specified in the broader USDA SCBG RFP. Specifically, this RFP seeks work that will achieve the following outcomes:
- Improve Pest & Disease Control Processes
- Develop New Seed Varieties & Specialty Crops
- Expand Specialty Crop Research and Development
- Improve Environmental Sustainability of Specialty Crops
Informational webinars will be offered on two dates:
- Tuesday, November 1, 2022 from 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm (Register for this webinar here)
- Thursday, November 3, 2022 from 9:00 am – 10:30 am (Register for this webinar here)
Proposals are due by midnight Sunday, December 11, 2022. More information about the program, and the 2023 RFP is available at www.nyfvi.org.
Since 2015, the NYFVI has been proud to support the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets by administering its SCBG competitive application process. The farmers on NYFVI review panels and its board members evaluate the research proposals and submit a funding recommendation to the Department. Following the award process, NYFVI oversees the progress of the projects and expense reimbursement. Grant funds are awarded to applicants whose projects have statewide significance to the specialty crop industry and build knowledge that will help all growers.
–New York Farm Viability Institute