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Delaware County farm grant program funds 59 projects, spurs additional grant success and local investment
Summary
County-supported Farm Enhancement Grant program funded with ARPA funds awarded 59 projects and helped participating farms leverage additional grants, expand direct-to-consumer sales and invest local dollars in operations, CCE reported to supervisors.
County Cooperative Extension staff updated the Board of Supervisors on the Delaware County Farm Enhancement Grant program, which used American Rescue Plan Act funds and has funded 59 projects across the county out of 156 applications.
“...this opportunity to update everyone on the progress of the Delaware County Farm Enhancement Grant program, which was funded through the American Rescue Plan funds,” the presenter said, summarizing program design and outcomes.
Program structure and funding: presenters described three award rounds: $500,000 in the first round, $500,000 in the second round and an additional $200,000 reallocated from returned funds, for a program total discussed during the presentation. The program funded 59 projects countywide and supported farms in developing grant applications and project contracting and implementation.
Grantees and local investment: CCE reported that 39% of participant farms expanded or initiated direct-to-consumer marketing after receiving grants, and that 70% of farms contributed at least 5% of project costs from their own funds while 61.5% contributed at least 10%; some farms invested as much as 90% of project costs themselves. Presenters said each grant dollar generated roughly $0.80 of additional spending on average and that over half of those additional funds were spent within Delaware County.
Success stories and follow-on funding: several farms used the grant award as a springboard to secure larger state and federal grants. CCE highlighted Roxbury Mountain Maple (Roxbury, N.Y.), which used its award to upgrade sugar-house equipment and then won additional grants for solar and marketing projects. Presenters said the program increased participating farms’ capacity to apply successfully for other funding sources.
Recognition and next steps: the county program was recognized as a New York State winner in sustainable agricultural programming and was featured at national conferences. CCE staff said they have secured a New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets grant to develop a dairy strategic plan covering roughly 24 months and anticipated work beginning in 2026 pending approvals.
Ending: CCE asked the board to note project impacts and said staff will continue to follow up with final reporting on where funds were spent; board members praised the program and asked staff to share additional reporting when available.
