Assemblyman Santabarbara announced nearly $500,000 in funding that is now available for producers and retailers for packaging, product labeling and advertising of New York State Grown and Certified products. The New York State Grown and Certified program works to promote and support agricultural local producers and growers, food safety and environmental sustainability standards.

“Farming is vital to our region in so many ways and critical to ensuring the future success of New York’s agriculture industry,” said Assemblyman Santabarbara, who is a member of the New York State Assembly’s Agriculture Committee. "Finding new ways to support and promote New York grown products here in the Mohawk Valley supports local farms and strengthens our economy."

As a member of the New York State Assembly’s Agriculture Committee, Assemblyman Santabarbara has been a strong supporter of local farms and has worked to increase funding to support agricultural in the state budget.

Through the New York State Grown and Certified Marketing Program, $250,000 is available to eligible, existing and new Grown and Certified food and beverage producers and processors, and an additional $225,000 in funding is available for retailers for marketing Grown and Certified products.

This year the New York State Grown and Certified Agricultural Producers’ Grant Program will also be available in regions of the state, which provides block grants to regional organizations that make funding available directly to local farmers. This initiative works to help local farmers participate in the NYS Grown and Certified program.