Empire State Today

The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets has partnered with the Northeast Regional Food Business Center (NERFBC) and the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) Foundation to launch a second funding opportunity. This initiative, totaling $10 million, aims to support small- and mid-sized farm and food businesses, including aquaculture and wild-caught marine enterprises. The funding is intended for projects that help businesses scale operations, expand markets, and strengthen the regional food supply chain.

State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball commented on the initiative: “This additional funding as part of the Northeast Regional Food Business Center initiative will help our small-and medium-size farms and businesses grow their operations while impacting the overall food supply chain. It is another resource for us here at the Department as we work to strengthen the food system from farmer to consumer and we’re grateful to all the partners involved in supporting this funding opportunity.”

The NERFBC is funded through a cooperative agreement with the US Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service. It is part of a nationwide effort to create a more resilient food supply chain while supporting historically underinvested producers and food business owners. Other partners in this initiative include Buffalo Go Green and Cornell University’s Center for Regional Economic Advancement (CREA).

Previously, in October 2024, NERFBC awarded $2 million to 17 technical assistance organizations during its first round of funding. Additionally, it launched its Community Hub featuring a Technical Assistance Provider Directory to assist with grant writing, marketing, and business development.

In this new round, awards will range from $15,000 to $100,000 across three specialized funding tracks: Equipment Acquisition ($25,000 - $50,000), Business Development ($15,000 - $25,000), and Product and Market Expansion ($50,000 - $100,000). Applications are open until April 7 with awardees announced in July; funded projects are expected to begin in August.

To aid applicants, NERFBC has released a pre-recorded webinar and will host live informational webinars on March 19 and March 27.

Buffalo Go Green CEO Allison DeHonney emphasized the importance of such initiatives: “Buffalo Go Green is a farming and food organization on the front line of providing access to healthy food options in our local community... We...are confident that the thoughtful and strategic work that the partners put into this launch will do one thing: strengthen our Northeast region.”

Jenn Smith from Cornell University’s CREA added: “Direct financial support for farms and food businesses complements the business and technical resources the Center has already begun through our community hub... We’re excited to see this new dimension of support added to the Center’s growing capacity to serve the Northeast.”

First announced in spring 2023 along with other centers nationwide following gaps identified during COVID-19 disruptions in supply chains, NERFBC serves 11 states plus Washington D.C., aiming at sustainable regional network coordination investing locally within agriculture sectors throughout northeastern regions.

The NASDA Foundation supports state agricultural departments via educational outreach & research efforts fostering environmental stewardship & public trust; further information can be found on their website nasda.org/nasda-foundation.