New York State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball announced that an additional $200,000 is now available for farmers’ markets through Part 2 of the fourth round of the Farmers’ Market Resiliency Grant Program. This brings the total funding for Round 4 to $700,000. The initial portion of this round was made available in December. These grants are intended to help farmers’ markets across New York improve their infrastructure, increase marketing and promotion, and add delivery capabilities.
According to Commissioner Ball, “A top priority for the Department is ensuring the resiliency of our food supply chain right here at home. The Farmers’ Market Resiliency Grant Program is a crucial component of that work, helping our farmers and producers remain strong and reach more consumers. I look forward to seeing the success of the projects funded in Round 4.”
The Farmers’ Market Resiliency Grant Program aims to strengthen local food systems through support for farmers’ markets. Part 2 provides $200,000 directly to eligible markets without requiring a sub-grant structure as in Part 1. This approach is designed to make funds more accessible to smaller markets or those needing less financial assistance.
Grants will range from $20,000 to $50,000 and will be awarded on a rolling basis until all funds are allocated. Projects must focus on building resilient local food systems, maintaining long-term viability for farmers’ markets, or supporting access to farmed foods through these venues. Details about eligibility and how to apply are available on the Department’s website, with applications due by 4:00 pm on February 18, 2026. An informational webinar was held January 15; a recording can be viewed on the Department’s YouTube Channel.
This grant program is part of Governor Kathy Hochul’s broader investment in New York agriculture and food industries. Other initiatives managed by the Department include Nourish New York, the 30 Percent NYS Initiative for school meals, FreshConnect Program, Farm-to-School program, and a Regional School Food Infrastructure Grant Program which will provide $50 million over five years for regional cooking facilities using fresh state farm products in K-12 schools.
Farmers’ markets play an important role in New York’s food system by providing outlets for agricultural producers and increasing consumer access to fresh products grown locally. Currently, the Department works with over 400 farmers’ markets statewide as well as numerous farm stands and mobile market operators.
The New York Department of Agriculture and Markets supports state agriculture through various programs such as grants aimed at improving market infrastructure and promotion efforts (https://agriculture.ny.gov). It also operates other grant programs like Grown & Certified that have distributed millions to bolster farms and processors (https://agriculture.ny.gov). The agency’s mission includes promoting New York agriculture while protecting resources and ensuring environmental care (https://agriculture.ny.gov). Led by Commissioner Richard Ball since 2014 along with several deputy commissioners (https://agriculture.ny.gov), it continues its work rooted in a history dating back to 1841 (https://agriculture.ny.gov).
