Southwestern New York State Economic Plan

About

Engagement

Background & SWOT

Action Plan

Evaluation

Conclusion

Data Visuals

Full PDF Plan

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  Vibrant Communities: Agriculture

​Southwestern New York can expect an increase in agriculture due to its ecological resilience. The region's farmland needs to remain available for agriculture. Education and workforce development in agriculture is needed, and transition assistance must be provided for retiring farmers. The goal is to make the region a supportive place for emerging and diverse farmers to start businesses.

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OBJECTIVE 1
Create shared farm product distribution sites, regional marketing strategies and value-added processing spaces​

Action Items

• Fund small-scale food processing spaces replicating successful models, including commercial kitchens and butcheries
• Create joint or cooperative food aggregation and distribution networks for farmers. Equity lens: ensure food hubs are positioned to bring more food to underserved communities
• Resilience lens: include farm product transit in any transportation studies

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OBJECTIVE 2
Reduce Barriers to Financing

Action Items

• Create alternative financing for farms including microloans and low-interest lines of credit. Equity lens: Designate some funds specifically for people of color and women; provide assistance in farm business plan skills

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OBJECTIVE 3
Workforce lens: Develop a skilled agricultural workforce

Action Items

• Create farm incubator/ business support programs
• Form network of farmers to host educational events for farm staff to learn
• Support secondary and post-secondary schools in integrating agriculture into their curricula

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OBJECTIVE 4
Identify farmland that is high priority to keep in agriculture, and keep it affordable for new farmers

Action Items

• Protect farmland using the purchase of conservation easements and by creating or selecting an entity to hold easements or supporting municipalities in holding them
• Provide additional staffing and funding that will support retiring farmers as they transition their land to a new farmer
• Resilience lens: Create matchmaking program to link the region's landowners and retiring farmers with prospective emerging farmers

Other Actions and Objectives

• ​Utilize shared services among farmers​
• Create ongoing community among farmers and food system workers for support and change
• Support creative and collaborative land access
• Educate region’s consumers toward supporting a local food system
• Encourage community leaders to learn about agriculture and to invest time and energy in new solutions