The Department is committed to furthering diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in New York State’s agricultural industry. Members of New York’s historically underrepresented and underserved communities are critical to New York agriculture, working as producers, growers, business owners, and thought leaders. They additionally serve their communities as resource developers, advocates, allies, and other food system stakeholders who are focused on uplifting historically marginalized groups.

Recognizing a diversity of distinct experiences, the Department's DEI outreach efforts aim to build relationships with Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), LGBTQ+, and rural farmers, organizations, and related stakeholders to improve understanding of the unique challenges these communities face. The Department additionally aims to better communicate opportunities in the industry and to develop new resources to support increased access and engagement.

The Department welcomes the opportunity to make new connections with individuals and organizations as staff continue to expand their perspective and Department DEI-related efforts within agriculture.

The Department is committed to support ALL of the many cultures invested in New York State agriculture because Diversity Is Delicious! Members of historically underrepresented and underserved communities are critical to the agricultural industry, working as producers on the ground, thought leaders as strategic allies, resource developers as active advocates, and other food system stakeholders. Still, these groups are too often overlooked and marginalized, causing them to face distinct challenges.

The Department’s Outreach team works to build relationships between new farm operations, Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), LGBTQ+ producers, urban growers, rural farmers, and supporting organizations to raise awareness of resources and to improve supports needed to be successful in agriculture efforts. The Department welcomes new connections with individuals and organizations as we continue to expand our perspective and strengthen our advocacy activities.

Significant accomplishments related to Outreach efforts include:

• securing community-based grant administrators to distribute state funding to socially and economically disadvantaged farmers ($4 million), as well as new and beginning farmers ($1 million);

• hiring the Department’s Chief Diversity Officer;

• developing the Diversity and Inclusion Network to build a platform for public input and skills development;

• increasing coordinated interagency efforts to raise awareness of and improve access to resources and programs to support the agriculture community; and

• building an archive of publicly accessible, topic-focused educational resources based on frequently raised topics and questions received.

Looking ahead, the Department continues to support the long-term sustainability of the full diversity of New York agriculture and related services. Some notable funding in New York State’s Fiscal Year 2025 budget includes:

• $1 million to support beginning farmers;

• $1 million to support economically and socially disadvantaged farmers;

• $1,000,000 to support NY FarmNet's wide range of farm and family assistance;

• $200,000 for the Northeast Organic Farming Association;

• $225,000 for Pace University's Food and Farm Business Law Clinic;

• $500,000 for the Cornell Small Farms Program;

• $50,000 to support established Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Related Sciences (MANRRS) charters and develop new ones;

• $500,000 for the Equitable Farm Future Initiative;

• $200,000 for the Black Farmers United – New York State organization;

• $300,000 for the John May Farm Safety Fund;

• $700,000 for the Farmers’ Market Resiliency grant program;

• $250,000 Urban Ag Education; and

• $50,000 to bridge the upstate-downstate food network divide.