State Agriculture Department Announces More than $1.5 Million to Support New York's Specialty Crop Industry

The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets (AGM), in coordination with New York Farm Viability Institute (NYFVI), today announced that more than $1.5 million in funding will support nine advanced research, education, and marketing projects that will enhance the competitiveness of New York’s specialty crop growers across New York. New York’s specialty crops include fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, maple syrup, and honey, and are among the state’s most valuable agricultural products. AGM secured the grant through the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Specialty Crop Block Grant program. 

State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball said, “The Specialty Crop Block Grant program supports the strength of New York’s specialty crops by investing in research, encouraging innovation, and helping our agricultural community remain competitive in an ever-changing global marketplace. I look forward to seeing these important projects come to fruition and support New York’s agricultural landscape for years to come.”

Aaron Ristow, Executive Director of the New York Farm Viability Institute, said, “New York’s specialty crop growers are facing new pests, a changing climate, and rising labor costs, and these projects take on all three. Our farmer-led review process makes sure these dollars go to practical research that New York growers can put to work on their farms.”

The Specialty Crop Block Grant program is administered through AGM, in partnership with the NYFVI. NYFVI recommended just over $1,000,000 for four grower research and education projects at Cornell University, one at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, and one at the New York Wine & Grape Foundation. Projects will:

• evaluate how high summer temperatures affect the performance and persistence of five commonly used insecticides used to manage Spotted Lanternfly infestations (Cornell University);
• identify wage, work hour, and benefit combinations that support both farm profitability and worker well-being as related to specialty crop operations (Cornell University);