New York State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball has announced the availability of $1.2 million in funding through the first round of the Long Island Aquaculture Infrastructure Grant program. The program aims to support and expand aquaculture operations on Long Island by providing funds for equipment purchases. This initiative is part of the broader Blue Food Transformation plan, which was introduced in Governor Hochul’s 2024 State of the State proposal to revitalize New York’s aquaculture and wild-caught seafood sectors.
Commissioner Ball stated, “Long Island’s aquaculture producers work tirelessly to raise the fresh, abundant seafood that make the region unique among New York agriculture. The funding announced today will help these businesses make much-needed upgrades to their equipment so they can continue bringing these delicacies to tables across the state. I encourage all eligible entities to consider applying.”
Todd Erling, President/CEO of the Farm and Food Growth Fund, added, “Long Island has such a significant history rooted in aquaculture, with shellfish and hatchery operations dating back two centuries. It is important that we support the long-term viability and growth of these businesses, many which are generational or tribal operations. The first round of this program will initially address equipment upgrade needs, with the second round creating opportunities for larger infrastructure projects.”
The Farm and Food Grown Fund, Inc., will administer Round 1 grants for projects aimed at expanding or improving aquaculture equipment on Long Island. Eligible applicants operating profit-generating businesses can apply for grants ranging from $25,000 to $99,999 via ffgf.smapply.us until January 15, 2026. Applications are reviewed monthly starting September 15, 2025; more details are available at ffgrowthfund.org/aquaculture-grants.
A virtual Open Office Hours session for potential applicants is scheduled for August 8, 2025.
Round 2 will focus on infrastructure improvements such as construction and renovation projects. Combined funding from both rounds totals at least $4.2 million dedicated to supporting marine agriculture and increasing access to locally grown seafood.
The Blue Food Transformation Initiative seeks to increase demand for local food while strengthening regional food systems by investing in New York agricultural products and supply chains.
Recently launched under this initiative is the Long Island Seafood Cuisine Trail—funded by state resources—to promote local seafood businesses along routes from Bay Shore to Montauk (South Shore) with an upcoming North Shore route from Oyster Bay to Greenport expected soon. These trails aim to boost tourism and business by highlighting establishments serving locally sourced fish and shellfish; more information can be found on the Local Fish website’s Seafood Trail page or at the Long Island Welcome Center in Dix Hills.
To further aid industry growth, Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) of Suffolk County has conducted research into expanding seafood processing capacity on Long Island by examining facility models and budgets; findings were shared at a recent industry summit with a final report forthcoming.
Additionally, a new interagency workgroup comprising representatives from several state agencies—including Agriculture and Markets—has been established to coordinate policies affecting licensing, food safety, economic development measures related to seafood production and marketing. Their final report is available online through the Department of Agriculture and Markets’ website.
New York’s seafood sector includes both wild-caught fisheries—which harvested over 16 million pounds of finfish worth more than $28 million in 2023—and a growing aquaculture presence concentrated largely in Suffolk County (155 operations) and Nassau County (15 operations), together generating over $14.5 million in sales during 2022 according to USDA data.
The Farm and Food Grown Fund focuses on stimulating economic activity within farm- and food-related industries throughout parts of New York as well as neighboring states by providing technical assistance services alongside capital access opportunities for low- and moderate-income communities.
