Farmers' Market Resiliency: Regional Sub-Grants 26

The Farmers’ Market Resiliency: Regional Sub-Grant Program is administered by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets to bolster the long-term resiliency and sustainability of the state’s farmers’ markets. This funding opportunity is part of a broader statewide initiative to fortify food systems and community-based agricultural commerce. With a total of $500,000 in funding available, this program represents Round 4 of the regional sub-grant initiative under the Farmers’ Market Resiliency Grant Program, specifically designed to empower larger eligible entities to sub-award grants to farmers’ markets and vendors within their designated economic development regions. The overarching goal of the program is to enhance the resiliency of farmers’ markets by supporting infrastructure improvements, digital capacity building, marketing and outreach strategies, and logistical capabilities such as delivery and cold storage systems. Funded projects are expected to contribute to a robust, adaptive, and accessible food distribution network, with a strong emphasis on enduring community benefit and market viability in the face of disruptions to the food supply chain. Eligible applicants include a wide range of entities such as registered nonprofits, municipal governments, business improvement districts, public benefit corporations, Indian tribal organizations, and public educational institutions. All applicants must operate or support the operation of at least one New York State farmers’ market or demonstrate a strong track record of such support. Applicants are required to allocate at least 50% of their total budget to sub-grants within their economic development region, which must be awarded via an open and competitive application process. Award sizes for sub-grants must not exceed $20,000 per market or producer recipient. Applications must be submitted via the Statewide Financial System Grants Management System (SFS GMS) under the opportunity ID “AGM_FMR26A.” The deadline for full proposal submission is February 4, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Questions must be submitted by January 21, 2026, and an informational webinar is scheduled for December 11, 2025. Evaluation will be based on alignment with the grant’s resiliency goals, clarity of work plans and budgets, and the applicant’s organizational experience and capacity. Projects must commence on April 1, 2026, and conclude by March 31, 2027. Funding is disbursed on a reimbursement basis, although up to 25% of the grant may be advanced at the discretion of the Department. A 10% holdback will be released upon satisfactory submission of final reports. Sub-grant recipients must meet the program’s resiliency definition and can include farmers’ market operators or producers demonstrating ongoing market participation. The program explicitly excludes for-profit applicants, individuals, and entities with no prior market operation or insufficient sub-grant budget dedication. This program recurs annually, with anticipated subsequent funding rounds following a similar timeline. For more information, applicants may contact Olivia Weeden at the Department of Agriculture and Markets via email at farmersmarkets@agriculture.ny.gov or fax at (518) 457-8398.

Emphasize 50% sub-grant allocation; include robust resiliency metrics; clarify sub-award process.