Council On The Environment Inc

REGIONAL FOOD HUB

PURPOSE: ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE, COMMUNITY PROJECT FUNDING/CONGRESSIONAL DIRECTED SPENDING AWARDS ARE AUTHORIZED UNDER THE CONSOLIDATED APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2022 PUBLIC LAW 117-328 AND THE EXPLANATORY STATEMENT FOR DIVISION L OF THAT ACT. PROJECTS SELECTED FOR COMMUNITY PROJECT FUNDING/CONGRESSIONAL DIRECTED SPENDING ARE LISTED IN THE JOINT EXPLANATORY STATEMENT (JES) THAT ACCOMPANIES A SPECIFIC FISCAL YEAR’S APPROPRIATIONS ACT OR CONGRESSIONAL RECORD. THE JES LISTS PROJECT, RECIPIENT, STATE, AMOUNT AND CONGRESSIONAL SPONSOR.; ACTIVITIES TO BE PERFORMED: ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE, COMMUNITY PROJECT FUNDING/CONGRESSIONALLY DIRECTED SPENDING AWARD PROJECTS INCLUDE A WIDE VARIETY OF ACTIVITIES THAT RESULT IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT OUTCOMES. HUD WILL NOT KNOW THE FULL SCOPE OF THE PROJECT UNTIL THE RECIPIENT SUBMITS THE REQUIRED PROJECT NARRATIVE AND CONFIRMS ALIGNMENT WITH THE LANGUAGE AS PROVIDED IN THE CONGRESSIONAL RECORD. TO FIND THE DETAILS OF THE GRANT AWARD AS WRITTEN WITHIN THE CONGRESSIONAL RECORD USE THE FOLLOWING LINK AND PATH SELECTIONS TO GET TO THE DESCRIPTION OF THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE, COMMUNITY PROJECT FUNDING GRANTS HTTPS://WWW.HUD.GOV/PROGRAM_OFFICES/COMM_PLANNING/EDI-GRANTS, SELECT THE FISCAL YEAR OF INTEREST, SCROLL DOWN TO PROGRAM LAWS AND REGULATIONS, UNDER FISCAL YEAR 20XX CONSOLIDATED APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 20XX: CONGRESSIONAL RECORD (JOINT EXPLANATORY STATEMENT).; EXPECTED OUTCOMES: COMPLETION OF THE PROJECT AS DESCRIBED IN THE JOINT EXPLANATORY STATEMENT (JES) PROJECT DESCRIPTION AND SUBSEQUENT APPROVED PROJECT NARRATIVE.; INTENDED BENEFICIARIES: THE PROJECT BENEFICIARIES ARE THE INDIVIDUALS AND/OR ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE AWARDED GRANT FUNDS OR SERVED BY THE ENTITIES THAT ARE AWARDED GRANT FUNDS AS IDENTIFIED IN THE JES RECIPIENT OR PROJECT DESCRIPTION SECTIONS.; SUBRECIPIENT ACTIVITIES: THE SUBRECIPIENT ACTIVITIES ARE UNKNOWN AT THE TIME OF AWARD.

FOR THE PAST 45 YEARS GROWNYC HAS DEVELOPED INNOVATIVE MODELS TO MEET ITS TWO-PART MISSION: REGIONAL FARM VIABILITY AND THE EQUITABLE ACCESS FOR ALL NEW YORKERS TO LOCALLY-GROWN FOODS. CURRENT DEMAND FOR LOCAL FOODS IN NEW YORK CITY'S WHOLESALE MARKETPLAC

GROWING GREENMARKET CO CULTIVATING DEMA

FARM BEGINNINGS FOR MULTICULTURAL AND SOCIALLY DISADVANTAGED FARMERS IN THE HUDSON VALLEY AND NYC METROPOLITAN AREA

EXPANDING FARMERS MARKET SALES OPPORTUNITIES FOR DIRECT MARKT FARMERS THROUGH INNOVATIVE MARKETING STRATEGIES THAT INCREASE GROSS REVENUES.

FOR OVER 40 YEARS GROWNYC HAS SITUATED THRIVING FARMERS' MARKETS IN UNDER-RESOURCED COMMUNITIES, RECOGNIZING THAT ALL NEW YORKERS DEMAND HEALTHY, FRESH FOODS FOR THEIR FAMILIES. IN 2006 GROWNYC EXPANDED UPON THIS WORK TO CREATE EFFICIENT, LASTING DISTRIBUTION ROUTES IN COMMUNITIES OVERLOOKED BY TRADITIONAL WHOLESALERS. THIS EVOLVED INTO GREENMARKET CO., GROWNYC'S REGIONAL FOOD HUB.THE PROPOSED PROJECT WILL USE GREENMARKET CO. TO CREATE A SUSTAINABLE DISTRIBUTION ROUTE FOR FRESH, LOCAL FOODS IN THE SOUTH BRONX, A COMMUNITY THAT HAS SOME OF THE CITY'S HIGHEST RATES OF FOOD-RELATED ILLNESS, BUT THAT IS ALSO HOME TO RESILIENT, ENGAGED RESIDENTS AND THE DYNAMIC ORGANIZATIONS THAT SERVE THEM. GROWNYC AND PARTNERS WILL ESTABLISH INNOVATIVE DIRECT-RETAIL PROGRAMS THAT PROVIDE SOUTH BRONX RESIDENTS WITH ACCESS TO HIGH-QUALITY, AFFORDABLE FOODS. THESE PROGRAM SITES WILL FORM THE BASIS OF DISTRIBUTION ROUTES THAT WILL ALLOW GROWNYC TO PROVIDE LOCAL PRODUCE DISTRIBUTION TO OTHER COMMUNITY-BASED WHOLESALE FOOD BUYERS. SOUTH BRONX RESIDENTS WILL BE AT THE FOREFRONT OF THESE EFFORTS, EARNING A LIVING WAGE AS THEY EDUCATE NEIGHBORHOOD RESIDENTS ABOUT HEALTHY EATING AND JOIN A VAST NETWORK OF FOOD SYSTEMS PROFESSIONALS IN NEW YORK CITY.THE PROPOSED PROJECT WILL PROVIDE $300,000 IN OTHERWISE INACCESSIBLE INCOME TO NORTHEAST FARMERS, INFUSE SOUTH BRONX COMMUNITIES WITH HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF POUNDS OF FRESH, AFFORDABLE FOODS, AND ENHANCE COMMUNITY FOOD SOVEREIGNTY. CFP INVESTMENT WILL ACT AS SEED FUNDING TO DEVELOP SUSTAINABLE DISTRIBUTION NETWORKS FOR LOCAL FOOD THAT WILL CONTINUE TO GROW IN THE SOUTH BRONX WELL BEYOND THE END OF THE GRANT PERIOD.

MAXIMIZING RETURNS FOR DIRECT MARKET FAR

1. CONDUCT OUTREACH TO HISTORICALLY UNDERSERVED PRODUCERS, WITH A FOCUS ON SPANISH-SPEAKING PRODUCERS, ABOUT NRCS CONSERVATION PROGRAMS. FOCUS ON REACHING BEGINNING FARMERS AND FARMERS UNFAMILIAR WITH NRCS CONSERVATION PROGRAMS

CONNECTING CENTRAL BROOKLYN COMMUNITIES WITH AFFORDABLE LOCAL FOOD

2013 TARGETED STATE

THE NEW FARMER DEVELOPMENT PROJECT EDUCATES AND SUPPORTS IMMIGRANTS WITH FARMING EXPERIENCE TO BECOME SUCCESSFUL FARMERS IN THE NORTHEAST

2012 TARGETED STATE

THROUGH BUILDING BRIDGES: INCREASING UTILIZATION OF NRCS CONERVATION PROGRAMS FOR SOCIALLY DISADVANTAGED AND LOW RESOURCE FARMERS IN NY, NJ, & PA,GFA WILL OFFER WORKSHOPS

NEW FARMERS DEVELOPMENT PROJECT TO ASSIST LIMITED RESOURCE FARMERS

PROVIDING ACCESS TO HEALTHY LOCALLY-GROWN FOOD FOR NY

NEW FARMER DEVELOPMENT PROJECT

TO ASSIST SOCIALLY DISADVANTAGED AND LIMITED RESOURCE IMMIGRANT FARMERS IN THE NYC AREA TO ESTABLISH ECONOMICALLY SUSTAINABLE FARMS.

RME OUTREACH

** AWARDS ISSUED PRIOR TO JANUARY 20, 2025, WERE FUNDED UNDER PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS AND MAY NOT REFLECT THE PRIORITIES AND POLICIES OF THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION.** FARMING IN THE NORTHEAST REGION IS UNIQUE IN THAT AVERAGE FARM SIZE, CASH RECEIPTS AND NUMBER OF WORKERS ARE LOWER THAN OTHER REGIONS IN THE COUNTRY, YET IT CONTRIBUTES NEARLY $19 BILLION TO THE OVERALL FARM ECONOMY. WHILE THE AGRICULTURAL INDUSTRY IN THIS REGION HAS ALWAYS FACED RISK AND UNCERTAINTY, FARMING HAS BECOME INCREASINGLY RISKY OVER THE YEARS, DUE TO FACTORS SUCH AS MARKET GLOBALIZATION, CLIMATE CHANGE, LOCAL, STATE, AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENT POLICIES, AND MOST RECENTLY, THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC. AS A RESULT, NEW AND BEGINNING FARM BUSINESSES IN THIS REGION ARE ESPECIALLY VULNERABLE, AND SMALL, START-UP FARMERS HAVE THE LOWEST ODDS OF SURVIVAL AS COMPARED TO OTHER CATEGORIES OF FARM SIZE AND YEARS IN BUSINESS. RUNNING A FARM BUSINESS IN THE GREATER NEW YORK AREA REQUIRES REGION-SPECIFIC FARM BUSINESS AND FINANCIAL KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS. OUR REGION HAS HIGH DEMAND FOR REGIONALLY AND SUSTAINABLY PRODUCED FOOD AND CONSUMERS HERE ARE ABLE TO PAY A HIGHER PRICE THAN OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY, BUT THERE ARE ALSO VERY HIGH COSTS OF ENTRY TO FARM BUSINESS OWNERSHIP, ESPECIALLY LAND AND LABOR COSTS. IN ADDITION, OUR REGION'S AGRICULTURE ECONOMY IS PRIMARILY SET UP FOR PRODUCTS THAT HAVE HIGH COST OF PRODUCTION, SPECIFICALLY SPECIALTY CROPS AND DAIRY. IN ORDER TO SUCCEED AT FARMING, PRODUCERS MUST BE SAVVY BUSINESS PEOPLE WHO KNOW HOW TO RUN BUSINESSES THAT CAN FIND A COMMITTED CUSTOMER BASE, PROMOTE THEMSELVES EFFECTIVELY, AND SET UP AND MANAGE BUSINESS FINANCIAL SYSTEMS. ASPIRING AND EARLY CAREER FARMERS NEED ACCESS TO ONGOING EDUCATIONAL TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FOCUSED ON MARKETING, FINANCIAL PLANNING, BUSINESS REGULATIONS, AND BUSINESS PLANNING TO LEARN AND MAINTAIN THOSE SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGEOUR ORGANIZATION HAS ALSO FIELDED SIGNIFICANT INTEREST FROM LATIN AMERICAN IMMIGRANTS IN STARTING THEIR OWN FARM BUSINESSES, INCLUDING FARM WORKERS AND THOSE WHO COME FROM FARMING BACKGROUNDS. YET THERE ARE VERY FEW TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS OFFERED IN SPANISH. ACCORDING TO THE USDA'S CLEARINGHOUSE OF BEGINNING FARMER TRAINING PROGRAMS AT WWW.FARMANSWERS.ORG, THERE ARE VERY FEW FARM BUSINESS TRAINING PROGRAMS THAT CATER TO THE UNIQUE NEEDS OF FARMERS IN OUR REGION, AND NONE ARE TAUGHT IN SPANISH. MANY OF THE PROGRAMS LISTED ON THAT CLEARINGHOUSE DO NOT APPEAR TO BE OPERATING CURRENTLY, AND NEED AND DEMAND FOR SUCH PROGRAMS IS STILL GREATER THAN EXISTING PROGRAM CAPACITY. ADDITIONALLY, THERE IS A PATCHWORK OF TRAININGS AND RESOURCES OFFERED TO FARMERS WHO ARE BEYOND THE INITIAL YEAR OF PRODUCTION AND ARE LOOKING TO BUILD THEIR SKILLS IN KEY AREAS, AND NONE OFFERED IN SPANISH.MOREOVER, IN ORDER TO RUN SUCCESSFUL FARM BUSINESSES, IT IS INCREASINGLY NECESSARY TO HAVE BASIC COMPUTER LITERACY SKILLS, WHICH MANY FARMERS, PARTICULARLY SPANISH SPEAKING IMMIGRANTS, LACK. GROWNYC HAS WORKED WITH SPANISH SPEAKING PRODUCERS FOR CLOSE TO 25 YEARS AND WE HAVE FOUND THAT THE MAJORITY OF THEM HAVE LIMITED TO NO COMPUTER LITERACY SKILLS. NOT O,NLY DOES THIS MEAN THAT THEY STRUGGLE WITH CONNECTING TO RESOURCES THAT ARE ONLY OFFERED ONLINE, BUT IT ALSO PRESENTS CHALLENGES TO RUNNING THEIR BUSINESSES, INCLUDING COMMUNICATIONS, ACCESSING CAPITAL, AND COMPLYING WITH BASIC BUSINESS PRACTICES SUCH AS RENEWING BUSINESS INSURANCE. CURRENTLY THERE ARE NO FARMER TRAINING PROGRAMS THAT INCORPORATE COMPUTER LITERACY SKILLS, LEAVING THIS COMMUNITY OF FARMERS BEHIND IN A SIGNIFICANT WAY.IN ORDER TO SUPPORT OUR REGION'S EARLY CAREER FARMERS, ESPECIALLY SPANISH SPEAKING FARMERS, IN DEVELOPING SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE CRITICAL TO THEIR SUCCESS IN RUNNING THEIR BUSINESSES, OUR PROJECT WILL TO DO THE FOLLOWING:HOLD OUR SPANISH LANGUAGE FARM BUSINESS FUNDAMENTALS COURSE ANNUALLY. THIS IS A 10-WEEK CLASS TAUGHT ENTIRELY IN SPANISH PROVIDING AN OVERVIEW ON FARM BUSINESS FUNDAMENTALS. AS PART OF THIS COURSE, WE WILL CONDUCT COMPREHENSIVE OUTREACH TO REACH SPANISH SPEAKING ASPIRING FARM BUSINESS OWNERS WHO WOULD BENEFIT FROM THIS COURSE BUT DON'T USE EMAIL OR SOCIAL MEDIA.HOLD A 10-HOUR COMPUTER BASICS COURSE ANNUAL, IN SPANISH TO PROVIDE PARTICIPANTS WITH BASIC COMPUTER SKILLS (EMAIL, WORD PROCESSING, BASIC SPREADSHEETS, ACCESSING VIRTUAL SPACES, ONLINE APPLICATIONS, INTERNET RESEARCH)HOLD A BILINGUAL SHORT COURSE INTENSIVE (FOUR SESSIONS) TO DIG INTO ONE AREA RELATED TO FARM BUSINESS PLANNING THAT WILL SUPPORT BEGINNING FARMERS WITH A FEW YEARS OF EXPERIENCE IN GROWING AND STRENGTHENING THEIR BUSINESSES.OUR GOAL, WITH THESE EFFORTS IS TO ENSURE THAT ASPIRING AND EARLY CAREER FARM BUSINESS OWNERS IN GROWNYC'S SIX STATE SERVICE AREA IN THE NORTHEAST AGRICULTURAL REGION, ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO SPEAK SPANISH, HAVE ACCESS TO COMPREHENSIVE AND SPECIFIC BUSINESS AND FINANCIAL PLANNING TRAINING AND TOOLS THEY NEED TO RUN SUCCESSFUL FARM BUSINESSES. THE IMPACTS WE HOPE TO HAVE ARE THE FOLLOWING:FARMERS HAVE INCREASED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ACCESS TO TOOLS ABOUT VARIOUS NECESSARY ASPECTS OF RUNNING A FARM BUSINESS, SUCH AS BUSINESS PLANNING, FINANCIAL PLANNING, MARKETINGS, PROMOTION, COMPUTER LITERACY, REGULATIONS AND OTHER SIMILAR AREAS.FARMERS WILL USE THIS INFORMATION TO IMPROVE THEIR BUSINESS, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO DEVELOPING ACCURATE AND ORGANIZED FINANCIAL DOCUMENTS, CLEAR BOOKKEEPING SYSTEMS, BRAND IDENTITY THAT APPEALS TO THEIR TARGET CUSTOMER BASE, AND COMPLIANCE SYSTEMS FOR RELEVANT REGULATIONS.ULTIMATELY, WE HOPE THAT OUR PROGRAM WILL HELP MAKE FARMING A VIABLE CAREER OPTION AND WILL STRENGTHEN OUR REGION'S AGRICULTURE ECONOMY AND RURAL COMMUNITIES.

EXPANDING ACCESS TO LOCALLY-GROWN FOOD THROUGH HEALTHY CORNER STORES FOOD DESERT PROJECT (NON-EBT PROJECT

FARM TO SCHOOL GRANT PROGRAM

NEW FARMER DEVELOPMENT PROJECT

SEC. 6022 RMAP-RURAL ASSIST GRANTS (MAN)

TO SUPPORT THE DESIGN OF THE JAMES BALDWIN MEMORIAL OUTDOOR LEARNING CENTER.

THIS PROJECT WILL PROMOTE A GREATER PUBLIC AWARENESS/UNDERSTANDING OF WATER QUALITY BY DEMONSTRATING SUSTAINABLE WATER CONSERVATION PRACTICES THROUGH