Applications must be submitted by December 1, 2016. The New York State Agricultural Society Foundation (NYSAS Foundation) supports the mission of the NYS Agricultural Society focusing on education, leadership development and recognition for future generations involved in the New York State food and agriculture industry. Each year the NYSAS Foundation selects a focus area for their annual grant-making.
The program provides guaranteed loan financing and grant funding to agricultural producers and rural small businesses for renewable energy systems or to make energy efficiency improvements.
Application Deadlines: Grants of $20,000 or less March 31, 2017; Unrestricted Grants (up to $500,000): March 31, 2017;
New York State has allocated $1 million in the 2016- 2017 state budget for the third round of the New York State funding for the New Farmers Grant Fund. The NYS Farmers Grant Fund will help provide grants of up to $50,000 to new and beginning farmers for the purchase of equipment, supplies and other necessities essential to an agricultural business. All project costs must be directly related to achieving Program Goals. The deadline to apply is January 27, 2017.
The Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program provides grants to organizations for education, mentoring, and technical assistance initiatives for beginning farmers or ranchers.
Closing Date is Thursday, December 8, 2016.
Priority will be given to partnerships and collaborations led by or including nongovernmental, community-based organizations and school-based agricultural educational organizations with expertise in new agricultural producer training and outreach.
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced $2.5 million through round two of the Climate Resilient Farming Grant Program to help farms reduce their operational impact on the environment and better prepare for, and recover after, severe weather events. Applications are due by 4:30 p.m., December 12, 2016.
Biorefinery, Renewable Chemical and Biobased Product Manufacturing Assistance Program
On July 25, 2016, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is seeking applications for funding to help support the development of advanced biofuels, renewable chemicals and biobased products. Applications for the second cycle are due April 3, 2017.
NYSERDA launched the Agriculture Energy Audit Program in March 2016. The Program offers farms and on-farm producers no-cost energy audits that provide recommendations for energy efficiency measures. Energy audits are important tools to help farmers make the best decisions for their operations and to help them become economically and environmentally sustainable.
Doug and Betty Nichols and their family, own and operate Nichols Farm, on Route 243, in Freedom, were among the first residents in Cattaraugus County to get a new Internet service that is microwave-based.
The Cattaraugus County Agricultural and Farmland Protection Board, along with the Cattaraugus County Department of Economic Development, Planning and Tourism, the Cattaraugus County Farm Bureau, the Cattaraugus County Soil and Water Conservation District and the Southern Tier West Regional Planning and Development Board will host the 5th Annual Cattaraugus County Farmer-Neighbor Dinner on Wednesday, April 13, 2016 at the West Valley Fire Hall, 9091 Route 240, West Valley, NY.
On Saturday, March 5, 2016 Cornell Cooperative Extension will be sponsoring the 24th Annual Rural Landowner Workshop. The program will begin at 9:00 AM and end at 3:00 PM. There will be three concurrent sessions with four classes per session to choose from.
The Rural Landowner Workshop is a regional program involving several agencies that provide educational information and outreach to landowners. Presenters are brought in from both private and public sectors to provide participants with up-to-date information.
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Resources for Starting a Farm in Cattaraugus County
Profile of Cattaraugus County soils
Agriculture Career Exploration
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