Statewide News Taste NY Updates NYS Grown & Certified Updates

Statewide News

Taste NY Updates

NYS Grown & Certified

Updates

Funding Opportunities

Job Opportunities

Spotlight: Commissioner

Ball Attends First Ever

Latino/a/x Conference

Happy New Year, everyone! With 2023 officially in the books, I’d like to take a

moment to reflect with gratitude on all that we’ve accomplished during this

year.

This year, we reached significant milestones, broke records, and embarked on

exciting, important new initiatives. From celebrating the 10

Anniversary of the

Taste NY program (more on that below) and reaching 100,000 acres of

farmland protected in New York State to launching multiple new opportunities

to put more New York food on tables across the state and provide a boost to

our farmers, drawing the largest concert audience ever at the Great New York

State Fair, introducing New York wine to our friends in Puerto Rico, and so

much more, we have accomplished a tremendous amount. I am grateful for the

hard work and dedication of our agricultural community— the men and women

who tend to the land, protect our animals and natural resources, and produce

and manufacture the food that nourishes our communities, and our partners.

Together, we are developing a stronger, more resilient agricultural community

for the years to come.

As we look ahead to a new year, I continue to grow more optimistic than ever

about the growth and success of our industry. I thank you all for your

partnership and dedication to our shared goals and wish you all a happy and

healthy new year. Cheers to 2024!

Commissioner Ball

Department Updates Food Product Recall Book

Last month, the Department issued an

update to its Food Product Recall

Book to provide New York retail food

stores, food manufacturers, and food

businesses with an easy-to-follow

protocol to use should they need to

initiate a product recall at their

facility. Both the US Food and Drug

Administration (FDA) and the

Department issue recalls or consumer

alerts about potentially harmful food

products affecting the New York State

marketplace, making it critically

important that the stores selling or

businesses manufacturing the food product understand what triggers a recall

and what actions they should take to ensure harmful products do not reach

consumers. The Department’s Divisions of Food Safety and Inspection, Milk

Control and Dairy Services, and Food Laboratory provide a vital service that is

critical in maintaining the safety of the food supply from producer to the

retailer. The Recall Book updates will not only help staff with their goals but will

also ensure that New York’s businesses and consumers are more informed

during a recall. Learn more about the updated Recall Book and what it means

for New Yorkers.

The Milk Marketing Advisory Council Thanks Chair Andy

Novakovic for Years of Service

In December, the Milk Marketing

Advisory Council (MMAC) convened to

discuss the outlook for the dairy industry

in 2024, Northeast Dairy Foods

Research Center updates, 2024 New

York State Dairy Promotion Order

updates, and federal and state policy

related to dairy. Since 2016, the MMAC

has brought together producers,

processors, retailers, and consumers to

provide insight on issues facing the New

York dairy industry, such as the current

milk market situation, dairy production

and processing, and trade policies.

Yesterday marked the final meeting under the direction of Chair Dr. Andy

Novakovic, who has participated in the MMAC since the 1980s. The advisory

council toasted to his many years of dedication with a glass of delicious, New

York milk from Hudson Valley Fresh. Dr. Christopher Wolf of Cornell University

was announced as the new Chair of the Milk Marketing Advisory Council. We

thank Dr. Novakovic for his partnership and leadership all these years and

congratulate Dr. Wolf on his new role!

Learn About the Farm Employer Overtime Credit

Members of our team have been on the

road over the last few weeks to share

more with the industry about the

upcoming Overtime Tax Credit. Starting

in January 2024, farm employers in New

York State may be eligible for a credit of

118% of additional overtime paid as a

result of the phase-in of the new

overtime threshold. The Department will

be issuing advance credit certificates to

eligible applicants for overtime paid

during January 1 to July 31, 2024, and in

future years.

Check out these upcoming dates for a chance to learn more about the

refundable tax credit!

January 12, 2024: New York State Agricultural Society Annual Meeting &

Forum (Syracuse, NY)

February 22-24, 2024: New York Farm Show (Syracuse, NY)

For more information, visit https://agriculture.ny.gov/farming/farm-employer-

overtime-credit-advance.

Prevent Barn Fires

As we bundle up for the winter months, it is

important to take the necessary

precautions to prevent barn fires. Put

safety first by creating a plan to protect

yourself and your animals from barn fires.

Following these guidelines can help you

stay safe this winter:

Invite the local fire department to tour

your farm each year and review your

safety plan with them.

Have several fire extinguishers and

flashlights located around the farm

and regularly check to be sure

they're working.

Train your staff to use the fire extinguishers.

Post emergency contact information in multiple areas.

Plan evacuation routes and rally points for people and animals, and let

your staff know.

Make sure your equipment for animal evacuation is available and

working.

2023 Farm Safety Art Contest Winner Announced

NYCAMH has announced their winners for the 2023 Farm Safety Art Contest,

with eight students, aged 9 through 19, awarded first or second prize for their

entry. The theme of this year’s contest was “High Visibility—Be Safe by Being

Seen.” Entries communicated how farmworkers can make themselves more

visible on the farm and on rural roadways by wearing bright colored, reflective,

high visibility clothing and adding lighting and markings to equipment. The

contest has grown since its launch and this year, featured print and digital

categories and garnered 34 creative entries from youth across the state. See

the winning pieces at https://www.nycamh.org/news.php?id=1002.

In conjunction with the competition, some classrooms of agricultural students

opted for a supplemental virtual lesson on the topic of high visibility given by

NYCAMH Agricultural Safety Educator, Christina Day. To learn more about

NYCAMH programs related to farm safety, visit www.nycamh.org.

Congratulations to the winners and all of those who participated in NYCAMH’s

2023 Farm Safety Art Contest!

Apply for the Dairy Runway Program

Applications are now open through

January 8, 2024 for the second cohort of

Dairy Runway, a free, virtual Cornell

University-hosted entrepreneurship

program that supports food entrepreneurs

and dairy innovators with early-stage ideas

for value-added dairy products using New

York State cow milk. The program is open

to any dairy entrepreneur or food innovator

located in New York and the New England

states with an idea for a new, value-added,

cow milk-based dairy product. We

encourage anyone eligible to apply! Learn

more here.

Funding Opportunities

Don't miss these deadlines! The Department has a number of current funding

opportunities that are closing soon:

January 26 Deadline:

Applications are open for the Department’s

Land Trusts Grants Program, which awards

state assistance to land trusts for activities that

will assist counties and municipalities with their

agricultural and farmland protection efforts,

including providing technical assistance to

county and municipal governments, owners of

agricultural lands and other agricultural interests.

Conserving land for agricultural use helps New

York with its efforts to ensure food security,

protect jobs, and protect our environment for generations to come. This is the

fifth round of the program, which aims to help agricultural landowners protect

their land, connect willing landowners to farmers interested in leasing or buying

viable agricultural land, and highlight on-farm marketing, production, and

agritourism opportunities for preserved farms. Learn more:

https://agriculture.ny.gov/land-and-water/rfp-0305-land-trusts-grants-program-

round-5-farmland-protection-outreach-activities

January 29 Deadline:

Nearly $5 million is available to support animal

shelters and humane societies in making critical

upgrades at New York's animal shelters through

the Department's Companion Animal Capital

Fund program. This is the sixth round of

funding dedicated to the fund, which aims to

enhance animal care at shelters and ultimately

help to ensure increased adoptions for New

York's dogs and cats. Learn more

a t agriculture.ny.gov/rfp-0311-companion-

animal-capital-projects-fund and agriculture.ny.gov/rfp-0312-companion-

animal-capital-projects-fund.

February 7 Deadline:

The New York State Regional School Food

Infrastructure Grant program dedicates

funding toward projects that encourage the use

of fresh New York State farm products in meal

preparation for K-12 school children, reduce

food insecurity, increase market opportunities for

New York State producers, and strengthen the

resiliency of our state’s food system. $50 million

will be available over five years, with one $5

million award to each of the State’s ten regions.

$10 million is available for the Regional School Food Infrastructure Grant 2023

Round 1, with two $5 million awards available for two separate regions. Learn

more at agriculture.ny.gov/rfp-0319-new-york-state-regional-school-food-

infrastructure-grant-program.

Find out more about these and our other current funding opportunities here.

Current Job Opportunities

The Department often has great job opportunities available. Every member of

the team is an important part of the agency's core mission to promote New

York State agriculture and its high-quality and diverse products; foster

agricultural environmental stewardship; and safeguard New York’s food supply,

land, plants, and livestock. Take a look at the links and descriptions below to

learn more about some of the positions and how to apply. Or, visit

StateJobsNY to see a full list of the openings.

Associate Director of Public Information,

New York State Fair

Syracuse, NY

The New York State Department of Agriculture

and Markets is seeking an Associate Director of

Public Information to work at the New York State

Fair in Syracuse! This position assists in the

development and implementation of a public

relations plan, priorities, and systems that meet

the present and future needs of the Department

of Agriculture and Markets. Find information about the role and how to apply

here.

Dairy Products Specialist Trainee 1

Clinton, Essex, Franklin, or Warren County, NY

The Department is also seeking two Dairy

Products Specialist Trainee 1 to work in Clinton,

Essex, Franklin, or Warren County to inspect,

rate, audit, and investigate dairy products and

dairy product producers, processors,

laboratories, laboratory analysts and handlers to

assess their compliance with State and federal

rules. Find information about the role and how to

apply here.

Horticultural Inspector 2 Apiculture

Albany, NY

The Department is seeking a Horticultural

Inspector 2 Apiculture to coordinate, manage

and supervise the statewide apiary inspection

program and seasonal apiary inspection staff

involved in the inspection program. This role

also establishes and implements honey bee

inspection goals, schedules, priorities,

procedures, and budgets. This position location is to be determined and may

be anywhere in New York State, with frequent travel to Albany, NY, and work

in the field throughout the State. Find information about the role and how to

apply here!

That’s a Wrap! Commissioner Ball Wraps Up Year-Long

Celebration of Taste NY in Syracuse

Last month, Commissioner Ball wrapped

up the Department’s year of anniversary

celebrations with an open house event at

the Central New York Welcome Center,

in Destiny, USA with partners from

Empire State Development, Destiny

USA, and Visit Syracuse. The open

house event brought together regional

agricultural, tourism, and supporting

partners to introduce visitors to the New

York farmers and producers whose

products are available at the Welcome

Center and encourage visitors to shop

local for the holiday season. Producers

providing samples at the event included Dutch Hill Maple (Tully, NY), Riches

Apiary (Kirkville, NY), Speech Family Candy Shoppe (Syracuse, NY), and

Nelson Farms (Cazenovia, NY). As part of the celebration, the Welcome

Center held a reusable bag giveaway to the first 25 visitors. Additionally,

Commissioner Ball unveiled the Welcome Center’s holiday wreath, which was

sourced from New York State Grown & Certified Christmas tree grower,

Springside Farm (Pompey, NY).

This event was the last in a yearlong series celebrating the Taste NY

program’s 10th anniversary. From traveling to regional Welcome Centers

across the state to treading new ground at events like The Great New York

State Fair in Syracuse and the PGA Tournament in Rochester, we have logged

lots of miles and gotten to highlight and meet some of the very best food,

beverages, and specialty items New York farmers and producers have to offer

and look forward to another decade of Taste NY! Thank you to all of our Taste

NY market managers, our partners, and the farmers and producers who have

made the program the success it is! It has been a tremendous 10 years –

cheers to the next 10! Stay tuned to next month’s Monthly Harvest for a special

Taste NY feature compilation that will showcase 2023’s celebrations and

milestones. In the meantime, check out this special Taste NY Countdown to

2024!

NYS Grown & Certified and Partners Spotlight Locally

Grown Products at the New York Produce Show

In December, the Department’s NYS

Grown & Certified program team took

part in the New York Produce Show

and Conference. This annual event,

which is the largest produce show in

North America, helps connect New

York’s specialty crop growers to

buyers from around the world. The

#NYSCertified booth included

partners from Eden Valley Growers,

Upstate Growers and Packers,

Headwater Food Hub, GrowNYC, the

New York State Vegetable Growers

Association, Empire Potato Growers,

the New York Cider Association, Red

Jacket Orchards, Niagara Fresh Fruit

Company, Reeves Farms, and Torrey Farms. Department Commissioner

Richard A. Ball also stopped by the booth following the show’s ribbon cutting.

The Produce Show is a great annual opportunity to highlight our state's unique

agricultural industry and delicious homegrown products, and we look forward to

another great event in 2024.

Current Funding Opportunities

IFB 0297 - Lawn Care Services at the New York State Fairgrounds

Proposals are due January 11, 2024.

IFB 0303 - Purchase of Portable Horse Stalls

Proposals are due January 17, 2024.

RFA 0294 - Farmland Protection Implementation Grants Round 19 -

Agricultural Conservation Easement Projects

Applications are taken on a rolling basis.

RFA 0263 - Municipal Agriculture and Farmland Protection Planning

Grants

Applications are taken on a rolling basis.

RFA 0262 - County Agriculture and Farmland Protection Planning Grants

Applications are taken on a rolling basis.

RFA 0181 - Source Water Buffer Program

Applications are taken on a rolling basis.

For more information on these or other funding opportunities, please visit our

Funding Opportunities page.

Spotlight: Commissioner Ball Takes Part in First Ever

Latino/a/x Conference

Commissioner Ball had the great

honor of joining the first ever

Northeast Latino/a/x Agricultural

Community Conference, held by the

Cornell Small Farms team on

December 7 and 8. The conference

brought together more than 150

people, including over a hundred

members of Latino/a/x farm families

and nearly 50 service providers and

public servants. Attendees came from

16 counties across New York State,

from as far west as Orleans County

and as far east as Suffolk County, as

well as from Pennsylvania,

Massachusetts, Maryland, and Florida.

At the conference, Commissioner Ball delivered a keynote speech in Spanish,

highlighting his personal background in farming and Department efforts aimed

at better supporting historically underserved groups in agriculture, including

more than $5 million in new state funding through programs like the Urban

Farms  and  Community  Gardens  grant  programs,  Farmers’  Market  Resiliency
program, and others.
The  conference  was  part  of  the  Cornell  University  College  of Agriculture  and
Life  Sciences’  Futuro en Ag project,  which aims  to support  the  community  of
Spanish-speaking and Latino, Latina, and Latinx farmers in the Northeast. The
Department is proud to support the Cornell Small Farms program as they strive
to address language and cultural barriers to support ag careers. To learn more
about  Futuro  en  Ag,  visit smallfarms.cornell.edu/projects/futuro.  Learn  more
about the conference and Commissioner Ball’s participation.
 
           
Department of Agriculture and Markets | 10B Airline Drive, Albany, NY 12235
Unsubscribe monthlyharvest@agriculture.ny.gov
Update Profile |Constant Contact Data Notice
Sent bymonthlyharvest@agriculture.ny.govpowered by
Try email marketing for free today!