New York Farm Viability Institute

10/12/2026

Happy National Farmer Day & Happy 22nd Anniversary, NYFVI 🎉🌾

Today we’re celebrating two things we care deeply about: the farmers who nourish our communities and the 22 years of impact, innovation and partnership that NYFVI has dedicated to strengthening New York agriculture.

For more than two decades, NYFVI has invested in research, education, and initiatives that help New York farms adapt, grow, and thrive.

On National Farmer’s Day, we recognize the hard work, resilience, and dedication of the farmers who make it all possible.

Thank you to the farmers, researchers, industry partners, and supporters who have been part of this journey.

Here’s to 22 years advancing New York agriculture and to many years ahead. 🌱🚜💚

10/12/2026

This weekend, NYFVI had the opportunity to join Senators Michelle Hinchey, George Borrello, and Cordell Cleare at Harlem Farms. The event brought together farmers, food systems leaders and policy makers to create meaningful conversations between upstate and downstate ag. 🌱

From sharing stories of innovation and resilience to discussing opportunities for collaboration, the event showcased the diverse people and businesses that make NY agriculture thrive. 🍎

A sincere thank you to everyone who made this event possible. Together, we’re building stronger connections between the farms that grow our food and the communities they serve. 🌾🤝🏙️

10/09/2026

🍻 From farm fields to craft brews!

This inspiring story highlights how one New York family farm in Moreau embraced innovation, resilience, and value-added agriculture to create new opportunities for NYS Grown & Certified products to get to market.

Through partnership with NYFVI and NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets, Dancing Grain invested in a specialized combine equipped with custom sieves, chaffers, and a straw walker designed for small grains through the Beginning Farmer Competitive Grant Program.

Investments like these can have a transformative impact on beginning farms.

The upgraded equipment for this Saratoga County farm improved grain separation and product quality, reduced harvest-time labor by approximately 20%, eliminated the need for a lengthy manual sieve adjustment process (previously taking 5+ hours!), and enabled the efficient harvesting of barley and other grains.

Read the full story: https://www.morningagclips.com/resilience-on-tap-a-new-york-family-farms-journey-to-brewing-success/

MOREAU, N.Y. — As a field-to-glass operation nestled in the heart of Saratoga County, Dancing Grain Farm Brewery is continuing a family farming legacy by...

09/30/2026

📣 REMINDER WEBINAR TOMORROW!

🌱 The second 2027 FVI Competitive Grant Program Overview Webinar will be held tomorrow, Thursday, October 1, from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m.

NYFVI recently opened its 2027 FVI Competitive Grant Request for Proposals (RFP), with more than $3 million available to support agricultural research and education projects that address the needs of New York farmers.

Funded through the NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets, the program seeks innovative projects that enhance farm viability, strengthen agricultural sustainability, and deliver practical benefits to New York's farming community.

The webinar will provide an overview of the funding opportunity, the online application platform, and proposal evaluation criteria. Researchers, educators, extension specialists, and other eligible applicants are encouraged to attend.

Register here: https://nyfvi.org/fvi-grant-program/

Can't attend live? The webinar will be recorded and posted to nyfvi.org for later viewing.

The Farm Viability Institute (FVI) Grant Program is the core competitive research and education funding initiative of the New York Farm Viability Institute. It supports practical, farmer-driven pro…

09/28/2026

🌾🎉 Congratulations to the NYS Grown & Certified at NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets on celebrating 10 years of supporting New York farmers, producers, and agricultural businesses!

Over the past decade, the program has grown to include more than 3,000 participants and has dedicated over $34 million toward farm infrastructure, environmental stewardship, and food safety efforts across New York State.

The NYS Grown & Certified Program continues to help consumers identify products that are grown and produced to high standards of food safety and environmental stewardship while creating new market opportunities for farms and agribusinesses.

NYFVI is proud to partner with the program through the NYS Grown & Certified Infrastructure, Technology, Research and Development Grant Program, helping producers invest in projects that strengthen farm viability, support innovation, and position their businesses for long-term success.

Here's to the next decade of supporting New York agriculture! 🌱🚜🍎

Read more about the celebration here: https://agriculture.ny.gov/news/state-agriculture-commissioner-joins-indian-ladder-farms-celebrate-decade-supporting-local

Commissioner Ball today joined Indian Ladder Farms to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the NYS Grown & Certified Program.

09/25/2026

One of the stops on our Long Island visit was with Joe Finora, owner and operator of Hampton Oyster Company in New Suffolk, a participant in NYFVI's Beginning Farmer Competitive Grant Program.

Assemblymember Tommy John Schiavoni and NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets joined us to learn about the farm's growth, hear firsthand about the challenges facing beginning operations in the aquaculture industry, and discuss what it takes to build a successful operation on New York's working waterfronts.

The Finoras have created an innovative approach to cultivating oysters - Hampton Oyster is the region's first deep-water, surface-grown oyster farm. Their seed oysters develop among the cool, nutrient-rich, glacial-fed waters of the Atlantic.

Due to the quality of their environment, coupled with the churn of the waves, the oysters maintain a distinct flavor profile and polished clean shells, making them ideal for shucking and highly sought after by wholesale buyers. In addition to producing a premium product, oysters provide important environmental benefits by naturally filtering water and removing nitrogen, helping to improve water quality and support healthy coastal ecosystems.

Supporting beginning farmers is critical to the long-term strength of New York agriculture and aquaculture. Entrepreneurs like Joe bring innovation, resilience, and fresh perspectives that help ensure our food systems and coastal communities remain vibrant for generations to come.

Thank you to Hampton Oyster Company for sharing your story and giving us a closer look at your operation, and thank you to Assemblymember Schiavoni for his continued leadership and commitment to supporting New York's shellfish industry and working waterfront communities. 🦪🌊

09/25/2026

🦪 This week, NY Farm Viability Institute, joined by Assemblymember Tommy John Schiavoni and NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets, traveled to Long Island to meet with oyster producers and learn more about the opportunities and challenges facing New York's shellfish industry.

We met with farmers from Oysterponds Shellfish Co. and saw firsthand how an ice maker, purchased with support from the NYS Grown & Certified Infrastructure and Technology Grant Program, has allowed the operation to scale up, increase the frequency of harvests, and better meet packing and storage needs.

The investment has also helped reduce the farm's carbon footprint by eliminating the need to truck in ice and supports environmental sustainability goals by preventing approximately 4,000 large plastic ice bags from entering landfills each year.

It's exciting to see how targeted investments in infrastructure can improve efficiency, support business growth, enhance environmental stewardship, and strengthen New York's working waterfronts.

Thank you to the entire team at Oysterponds Shellfish Co. for hosting us and sharing insights into aquaculture. We enjoyed learning more about your operation and the important work you're doing to support New York's working waterfronts. 🌊

09/25/2026

🌱 Meet Gabriela Foster, Grants and Communications Manager at the New York Farm Viability Institute!

We believe it's important for you to know the people working behind the scenes to support New York agriculture.

With a background in agricultural policy, federal programs, and legislative strategy, Gabriela leads NYFVI's strategic communications and stakeholder engagement efforts while also helping implement grant programs that support New York farmers.

Before joining NYFVI, Gabriela worked with agricultural and environmental organizations on grant development and served as an advisor at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, helping advance initiatives that strengthened agriculture and rural communities. Her career has also included work in the Executive Office of the President and on Capitol Hill, where she served a New York congressional district rooted heavily in agriculture.

Gabriela holds a degree in Government and Environmental Studies from Hamilton College.

And when she's not working to support New York agriculture? You'll likely find her exploring one of New York's beautiful state parks.

We're proud to have Gabriela helping connect NYFVI, our grant programs, and the people working to move New York agriculture forward. 💚

👋 Say hello to Gabriela in the comments!

09/22/2026

🎃 Did you know New York is one of the nation's top pumpkin-producing states?

With more than 6,800 acres in production and an estimated annual value of $24 million, pumpkins are big business for New York agriculture!

Nearly all are grown for the fresh market. But growing the perfect pumpkin isn't easy. New York growers manage everything from powdery and downy mildew to insects and viruses that can impact fruit quality and yields. Research, improved varieties, and innovative management practices continue to help farmers tackle these challenges.

So when you head out for your fall pumpkin this year, choose a New York-grown one. You're supporting a local farmer and an important piece of our state's agricultural economy. 🧡

👇 Tag your favorite New York pumpkin patch or farm in the comments!