COVID-19 Vaccines Available for Farmers - NY.gov
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Statewide News
Taste NY Updates
NYS Grown & Certified
Updates
Funding Opportunities
Spotlight: New York's Beef
Producers
We wish a very happy Mother's Day to all the moms across New York!
COVID-19 Vaccines Available for Farmers
On April 19, Governor Cuomo visited
Angry Orchard to announce the
launch of pop-up COVID-19
vaccination sites for farmers,
employees, and farm production
workers. As part of the vaccination
effort, New York State provided 500
doses of the vaccine to Sun River
Health, a local health care network, to
administer to Angry Orchard
employees and other farm and food
production workers from other
facilities in the Orange County area.
New York State is working with local
health departments and Federally Qualified Health Centers to bring pop-up
vaccination sites to farmworkers, including migrant workers, at their places of
employment and reach populations in more remote areas of the state. Watch a
video of the announcement here.
Announcing the 2021 Reimagined New York State Fair
The Great New York State Fair will be
back in 2021! The Reimagined New
York State Fair is planned as a special
end-of-summer celebration at the New
York State Fairgrounds in Syracuse
and will be held from August 20 to
September 6. This one-of-a-
kind fair will feature New York's best
food and drink, live music and
entertainment, Midway rides, and
agricultural education and awareness.
Major elements of the 2021 New York
State Fair will include:
Exceptional array of food and
beverage including some of the Fair's most iconic culinary experiences,
such as the Pizze Fritte, sausage sandwiches and wine slushies;
Daily concerts from national touring performers in the scenic, spacious
New York Experience festival grounds;
Thrilling amusement rides, games, and attractions for all ages on the
Midway;
Farm animals on display to introduce the young and young-at-heart to
New York's agriculture.
Last year, the COVID-19 pandemic caused the cancellation of the Great New
York State Fair. This year the Fair and Fairgrounds are being planned and
prepared in accordance with the Department of Health's COVID-19 health and
safety guidance. Planning for the event is underway now and details on fair
ticket sales, vendors, other exhibitors, and rules for guests, including health
and safety guidelines, will be announced later. Learn more.
Nourish New York Provides Over 5 Million Meals to
Families in Need
The Nourish New York program
continues to provide local food from
farmers to populations in need
through New York’s network of food
banks. To date, the program has
purchased over 6.5 million pounds of
food for families facing food insecurity
during this difficult time, or the
equivalent 5.2 million meals.
Nourish New York has helped build
relationships between food banks,
distributors, and farms, and is
contributing to a more resilient
regional food system. We are proud of
all the farmers and food banks who are on a mission to ensure all New Yorkers
have access to local and fresh foods. Learn more about the program.
Tax Reminders
As the May 17 deadline for tax year
2020 approaches, here are a few
important reminders:
Tax Credit for Charitable Food
Donations
Farmers are eligible to receive a tax
credit for qualifying food donations
made to food banks and other
emergency food providers in the tax
year 2020. Eligible donations include
fresh fruits and vegetables grown or
produced in New York State and provided to emergency food programs that
qualify for tax exempt status. To claim the credit, the taxpayer must receive
proof of the donation in the form of a receipt or written acknowledgment from
the eligible food program.
Information about eligibility requirements for the tax credit is available here.
According to the New York Farm Bureau, farmers across the state donated
more than eight million pounds of food in 2020, helping to feed many families
who faced increased food insecurity due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Additional Tax Credits for Agriculture
For additional tax credit and exemption programs available through the New
York State Department of Taxation and Finance, agri-businesses can
visit https://www.tax.ny.gov/bus/business-incentives.htm and choose “Farming
and Agriculture.”
Unemployment Compensation
If you received unemployment compensation in tax year 2020, you may need
to make some adjustments on your tax form to qualify for New York’s farm-
related tax credits. New York’s Tax Law counts all Unemployment
Compensation as income when determining eligibility for the Farmer's School
Tax Credit, the Farm Workforce Retention Credit, and the Farm Donation to
Food Pantries Credit. (This is different from the recently revised federal Tax
Law, which now counts only a portion of Unemployment Compensation as
income.) If you already filed your New York State taxes and made a mistake,
you can file an amended return. Learn more.
Cider Week New York 2021 Goes Statewide
The New York Cider Association
announced that, for the first time
ever, its Cider Week festivals have
been expanded with events
scheduled to take place across the
entire state. From May 15 through
May 31, New York’s cider makers will
open their doors to the public,
hosting a hybrid mix of both virtual
and socially distanced, in-person
events, including virtual tastings,
educational panels, local promotions,
and dinners.
For more information, a full listing of
the 37 cidery participants and events,
and where to buy cider, cider lovers
can visit
www.ciderweeknewyork.com. Virtual
Cider Week programming can be
viewed at New York Cider
Association TV Channel.
Cider in New York has seen an unprecedented growth explosion of more than
450% over the past ten years and now has a $1.6 billion economic impact to
the New York State economy. With over 140 producers making over 5 million
gallons of cider every year, New York continues to rank first in the country for
the number of cider producers.
NEWA Version 3.0 Launches
The Department and Cornell
University have announced the
launch of the Network for
Environment and Weather
Applications (NEWA) version 3.0, a
complete update of the popular
online system that has helped New
York's farmers better protect their
crops from insects and plant disease
since 1995. NEWA 3.0 now offers an
improved user experience paired
with any smart device, a secure user
account system with customized
preferences, and more to help New
York growers continue to share
critical information and use IPM best
management practices that support the agricultural industry. Check it out!
NEWA is a weather network that makes it possible for farmers to share
resources for weather data collection, analysis, distribution, and
archiving. Weather stations, primarily located on farms, deliver data to the
NEWA website, which automatically calculates and displays weather data
summaries, crop production tools, and IPM forecasts. NEWA users report
annual cost savings of $33,048 from avoided crop losses, $4,329 from reduced
sprays, and $2,060 overall per acre annually, according to a 2017 survey.
LeadNY Program Now Accepting Applications
New York’s premier leadership development program is now accepting
applications for its next class of leaders in the food, agriculture, and natural
resources sectors of the Northeast. LeadNY, a pioneering training program,
provides intensive one- or two-year programs to improve leadership skills, self-
awareness, issues analysis, critical thinking, and civic engagement. Program
alumni serve in prominent leadership positions in many food and agricultural
organizations throughout the state.
Applications are due June 1 and are now being accepted at theLeadNY
website. To make the program more accessible to people affected by the
COVID-19 pandemic, tuition has been reduced 25% to $1,800 for the year.
Additional tuition assistance made possible by generous sponsors is available
for those who need it.
For more information, please contact Terri Denman, Program Coordinator of
LeadNY, at (607) 255-7907 or tld1@cornell.edu. Applications are available on
the website at www.leadny.org.
Participate in the Swine Small Enterprises Study
From May 2021 through July 2021,
the U.S. Department of
Agriculture’s National Animal Health
Monitoring System will conduct its
third national study of U.S. small
enterprise swine operations. The
study will take an in-depth look at
small enterprise swine operations
(fewer than 1,000 pigs) and provide
new information regarding animal
health and management practices
used in these operations.
This month, selected producers will
be mailed a letter describing the
study and be provided with a questionnaire to be completed and returned either
by mail or web. We encourage all producers to participate if they are able.
Learn more.
Opportunity to Expand Telehealth Services
Accessing health care services from
your very own home or business is
becoming more critical than ever. It
eases the burden of long drive times,
provides quick and easy access no
matter the emergency, and it helps
keep us all safe. Right now, the
Federal Communications
Commission is making available
$250 million through the COVID-19
Telehealth Program to eligible health
care providers responding to the
COVID-19 pandemic, helping to
deliver telehealth and connected
care services to patients at their
homes or mobile locations. This can
help our ag community and all New
Yorkers to access critical healthcare
no matter where they live. Call your
local healthcare provider today and encourage them to apply at the COVID-19
Telehealth Application Portal. The application deadline is May 6 at noon.
For additional details, visit: https://www.usac.org/about/covid-19-telehealth-
program/.
New York State Senate Hearing on Diversifying Our Food
System
On April 19, New York State Senate leaders held a public hearing to discuss
various ideas and solutions for how the State can create a more equitable food
system. Organizations and farmers provided recommendations for systemic
changes to increase opportunities for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color
(BIPOC) farmers. Focus areas included diversifying management and
ownership of farms, improving access to fresh and healthy food in low-income
communities and communities of color, and increasing local ownership and
input in community food systems.
Commissioner Ball provided written testimony for the hearing to describe the
importance of BIPOC farmers having formal roles within our food supply chain.
He shared an overview of the important work the Department has done in
support of these shared goals, including creating the Diversity and Racial
Equity Workgroup and launching the New York State Regional Food Hub in the
Bronx. Watch the video of the public hearing.
Upcoming Events
Stay up-to-date with these exciting
virtual and live events about
agriculture happening throughout
New York this month:
Women in Food and Farming
Festival at Stone Ridge
Orchard: On May 8 and 9, the
Women in Food and Farming
Festival will celebrate over 50
women-owned farms and
businesses in the food and
craft beverage industries
throughout the state. On May 8
from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm,
there will be an outdoor market
with more than 25 local
vendors and women farmers.
The event will also include
prize raffles and free resources
to learn about NYS agriculture.
The event will follow social
distancing protocols and have
limited space. May 9 is an
online event for individuals who missed the live event on May 8 to learn
about the remarkable women involved in New York State
agribusiness. Learn more and register here.
National Invasive Species Week Webinars: From May 15 to 22, the
North American Invasive Species Management Association is hosting a
series of webinars to educate the public and elected officials on how they
can help protect invasive species and local communities. Learn more and
get registered.
Women for the Land Learning Circle Webinar: American Farmland
Trust’s Women for Land Initiative is hosting a series of webinars for
women to learn about New York’s Agricultural Environmental
Management program and conservation practices. The webinar will be
held on Tuesday, May 18 from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm. Save your space!
An Introduction to Organic Farm Planning: Join the Northeast Organic
Farming Association of New York to learn about tips on establishing an
organic farm. The webinar is scheduled for May 25 from 12:00 pm to 1:30
pm. Register here.
Spring is in Full Swing With Taste NY
Taste NY Markets across New York
State are featuring locally sourced
food, beverages, and gifts for mom
this year! Specialty beauty items,
coffees and teas, and delicious treats
will be featured at each Market
ahead of Mother's Day.
Plus, with the end of the school year
quickly approaching, the Markets
have customizable gift baskets to
show appreciation for teachers and
administrators. And as we head into
the summer, be sure to check out
NYS-made barbecue sauces, salsas,
and dressings for all your outdoor
fun. Visit taste.ny.gov to find the
location nearest you!
Celebrate American Craft Beer Week With NYS Grown &
Certified!
Who’s ready to show some love to our
local breweries? American Craft Beer
Week is held from May 10 to 16 and
celebrates small and independent U.S.
craft breweries. Craft beers have a
variety of unique flavors, providing an
exquisite taste for all beer lovers.
There are over 30 local farms and
breweries in our NYS Grown &
Certified Program. NYS Grown &
Certified connects consumers to New
York State’s agricultural producers
using safe food handling and
environmentally responsible practices.
Learn more and choose an #NYSCertified beverage this Craft Beer Week!
Current Funding Opportunities
RFA 0238 - Farmland Protection Implementation Grants Round 18 -
Conservation Easement Projects
Applications are taken on a rolling basis
RFA 0224 - Farmland Protection Implementation Grants Round 17B -
Farm Operations in Transition Farmland Protection Initiative
Applications are taken on a rolling basis.
RFA 0215 - County Agricultural and Farmland Protection Planning Grants
Enrollment is open as of November 2019.
RFA 0216 - Municipal Agricultural and Farmland Protection Planning
Grants
Enrollment is open as of November 2019.
RFA 0219 - Farmland Protection Implementation Grants Round 17 -
Dairy Transitions Farmland Protection Initiative
Applications are taken on a rolling basis.
RFA 0181 - Source Water Buffer Program
Applications are taken on a rolling basis.
RFA 0175 - Farmland Protection Implementation Grants Round 15B -
Transaction Costs for Donated Agricultural Conservation Easements
There is no deadline for applications.
RFA 0168 - Farmland Protection Implementation Grants Round 15 -
Option Agreement Projects
There is no deadline for applications.
For more information on these or other funding opportunities,please visit our
Funding Opportunities page.
Spotlight: Celebrate Beef Month
May is Beef Month in New York,
providing an opportunity to
recognize the contributions of our
beef producers and learn about this
important agricultural sector, which
generates nearly $345 million in
annual sales in New York State.
New York State is proud to support
its beef producers through the NYS
Grown & Certified program, which
promotes producers who adhere to
food safety and environmental
standards. The Department also
works to increase market connections for the industry, specifically through the
State’s Farm-to-School program, including the NY Thursdays initiative, and
through Nourish New York.
Learn more about New York’s beef industry and its producers.
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