Grown & Certified Program expands

Mohawk Valley farmers are now eligible to take part in the New York State Grown & Certified program.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo launched NYS Grown & Certified in 2016 to help meet the growing consumer demand for local foods grown or produced to a higher standard. The program certifies New York state producers who adhere to high food safety and environmental stewardship standards.

The state Department of Agriculture and Markets has awarded a $500,000 grant to implement the program in the Mohawk Valley Region. Cornell Cooperative Extension of Oneida County was chosen as the administrator of these funds for the following six counties: Fulton/Montgomery, Herkimer, Oneida and Otsego/ Schoharie to help Mohawk Valley producers meet the food safety standards necessary for participation in the certification program.

The New York State ( NYS) Grown & Certified Program was designed to strengthen consumer confidence in New York products and assist farmers so they can take advantage of the growing market demand for locallygrown foods are produced to a higher standard. Certified producers are able to use a special New York state seal that indicates the producer adheres to higher standards of food safety and environmental stewardship. It is supported by a marketing campaign

including on-product labels, promotionalmaterials, such as the NYS Grown & Certified website, and sales materials, to educate retail and wholesale buyers on the value of the program.

The program is open to agricultural producers who want to become certified in the NYS Grown & Certi- fied Program. Eligible commodities are produce, dairy, shellfish, eggs, beef, poultry, pork, maple products, alcoholic beverages, and beverage ingredients. Applicants are required to contribute 10 percent of the total proj- ect cost in the form of cash equity. Eligible producers can apply for grant funding of up to $50,000.

Cornell Cooperative Extension offices throughout the six-county Mohawk Valley Region in the New York State Grown & Certified Agricultural Producers Grant Programwill provide technical assistance to producers, including assistance with Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs). Soil and Water Conservation of- fices in the six counties will assist grant recipients with Agriculture Environmental Management (AEM).

For more information on this program, contact Oneida County at 315-7363394 ext 104 or 124.