State Agriculture Commissioner Announces $3 Million Awarded to Bo...
New York State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball today announced that $3 million is being awarded to 10 organizations to assist in the creation and expansion of programs that prepare individuals for jobs in New York’s diverse agriculture and food sectors. First announced in Governor Kathy Hochul’s 2023 State of the State, the New York State Agriculture and Food Systems Workforce Development Grant Program was funded in the FY 2023-24, 2024-25, and 2025-26 State Budgets, and provides awards ranging from $50,000 to $500,000.
Commissioner Ball said, “As the demand for New York’s agricultural products continues to increase, we need a strong and skilled workforce that is ready to meet our consumers’ demands. That’s why our Agriculture and Food Systems Workforce Development Grant Program is designed to help support organizations across our state as they provide the training and opportunities needed for workers to build a rewarding career in agriculture, while also helping to attract and retain people who are passionate about the important work we do in our industry. I congratulate all the grant recipients and I look forward to seeing the positive impact these programs will have on New York agriculture.”
Funding was awarded to 10 organizations throughout the state to implement workforce development programs that prepare people for employment in the agriculture or food system sector. Funded projects include programs that provide education or experiential learning to individuals to help them gain skills applicable to jobs in the agriculture or food system industries; training or workforce development programs that provide a certificate, credential, or other industry-recognized credential upon completion; and/or programs that help currently employed individuals to gain new skills that help them better compete for other jobs in the industry or advance in their current role.
The recipients of the Agriculture Food Systems and Workforce Development Grant Program are:
- Community Missions of Niagara Frontier — $118,000 for a program to support individuals returning from incarceration to develop a range of skills to support career pathways in urban agriculture, small-scale farming, horticulture, nursery operations, and greenhouse management
- Cornell Cooperative Extension Broome County— $165,558 for the creation of a group sponsor framework to support the New York State Department of Labor’s Butcher Apprenticeship Program where apprentices will receive on-the-job training at participating butcher shops
- Cornell Cooperative Extension Oneida County — $80,332 to support a pilot workforce development program for high school students focused on technology, data and artificial intelligence use in agriculture and food processing operations
- Cornell Cooperative Extension Sullivan County — $218,099 to establish the Safe Operations and Skilled Hands Workforce Training Program where participants will develop skills in agricultural equipment and tractor operation, farm safety, livestock handling and animal safety, and food safety.
- Fordham University (Bronx Green Jobs Center) — $239,215 for a program where individuals will earn industry-aligned credentials to support entry into and advancement within careers in food distribution and supply chain management
- Glynwood Center Inc — $499,917 for the Hudson Valley Apprenticeship program to prepare participants for skilled crew and management positions such as managers and leaders at diversified vegetable operations and livestock assistants and managers at pastured livestock farms
- Monroe Community College — $499,679 to establish the Food Processing Technician Training Program where participants will develop skills including workforce readiness and advanced technical skills required for food processing careers
- Orange County FoodTEC - $322,091 for the Food Safety Career Pathways Program, which prepares participants for a progression of roles in food manufacturing operations, from production-level work to quality control, inspection functions and supervisory responsibilities.
- SUNY Alfred State College — $499,256 to establish a new nine-month Data Integrated Animal Production Systems Technician certificate and a 15-week microcredential in Agricultural Data Management
- Workforce Development Board of Herkimer, Madison and Oneida Counties — $357,850 to establish the Mohawk Valley Food Manufacturing Worker Training Program which will focus on training workers for jobs at regional food manufacturing employers prioritized by the Mohawk Valley Regional Economic Development Council
Assemblymember Donna Lupardo said, “Our Workforce Development grants address the skills needed for specific agriculture and food related employment areas. For example, CCE Broome will be receiving one of the ten awards to support the Department of Labor’s Butcher Apprenticeship Program, where participating butcher shops provide on-the-job training. These smart investments will create career pathways that match growing consumer demand, while boosting local economic growth. I was happy to support this program in the state budget, and thank the Governor and my colleagues for their support.”
Awarded recipients were eligible to receive a minimum of $50,000 to a maximum of $500,000 in grant funding. Awardees are required to provide a minimum 20 percent match, which may be met through the awardee’s own resources and/or in-kind services.
About the Agriculture and Food Systems Workforce Development Grant Program
Governor Hochul’s 2023 State of the State tasked the Department of Agriculture and Markets with engaging with agricultural producers and processors to train new entrants to the industry. After gathering vital stakeholder feedback through a September 2023 Request for Information (RFI), the Department issued a competitive $3 million Request for Proposals (RFP) in January 2026. Today's awardees were selected from a highly competitive pool of 45 applicants dedicated to strengthening New York's agricultural and food systems workforce.
The Department also continues to work with key stakeholders to identify internships and apprenticeships in horticulture, dairy management, crop production, food manufacturing, food distribution, and other related industries. As part of these efforts, the Department convenes the Blue Ribbon Panel to Advance Agriculture Education. Announced by Governor Hochul at the November 2024 Youth Agriculture Conference, the Blue Ribbon Panel is charged with developing recommendations to strengthen youth agriculture education opportunities and support the development of the next generation workforce.
New York State continues to prioritize investments in agricultural education to support workforce development and ensure that agriculture remains a viable industry in New York State. The 2026-27 New York State Budget dedicated $1 million to support FFA, $500,000 to support the New York Agriculture in the Classroom program, $500,000 for the New York Association of Agricultural Educators to increase the number of certified agricultural educators in the state, and $250,000 to support the 4-H Program. In addition, $250,000 was included in support of Urban Agricultural Education and $50,000 for the MANRRS program.
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