The money will help markets improve infrastructure, boost marketing and add delivery options. The program, funded in Gov. Kathy Hochul’s budget, is intended to strengthen the state’s local food supply chain.

This round adds a requirement that recipients set aside part of their awards for sub-grants to farmers markets or vendors in their region through an open application process. Organizations can apply for between $100,000 and $200,000, explaining how they will distribute the funds to market locations.

A second track — offering $200,000 in direct grants to farmers markets without the sub-grant requirement — will be announced in the coming months. State officials say the two-tiered structure is meant to reach smaller markets.

“We learned during the pandemic that we needed to have a reliable food system right here at home,” Mr. Ball said in the Dec. 4 announcement. “Through three rounds of this program, we’ve seen progress on projects that are helping our farmers and producers reach more consumers.”

The Department of Agriculture and Markets supports more than 400 farmers markets, 250 farm stands and 10 mobile market operators statewide. Round 3 awards, totaling more than $1.12 million, were announced earlier this year.

Applications are due by Feb. 4, 2026, at 3 p.m. A webinar about the program is scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 11, at 12:30 p.m. More information is available on the department’s website.

The grant program is part of broader state investments in agriculture, including Nourish New York, the 30% New York State Initiative for school meals and the Regional School Food Infrastructure Grant Program, which will provide $50 million over five years for regional cooking facilities.

To find out eligibility criteria and how to apply, click here.

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For the Long Island Science Center, $25,000 in  grant money means the ability to  continue offering free or low-cost programs for the community. “We are extremely grateful to Gov. Hochul, Assemblywoman Giglio, Sen. Palumbo and NYSCA for recognizing what we do,” said its board president, Larry Oxman.. The grant will allow more youngsters to take part in “Science Saturdays,” rocketry, robotics events, “Crime Detectives” and  “Gross Boogers and Body Science,” which Mr. Oxman said  is “a favorite”  among kids.

The Suffolk County Historical Society plans to turn its $30,000  grant into new exhibits and programming. Executive director Victoria Berger said “the funding will enable us to bring in additional talent, hire guest curators and presenters to improve our events tremendously.” Part of the focus will be on the history of music on Long Island, including a concert series highlighting the instruments that were developed here. Grant funds will also go towards digitizing  archival documents so they can be preserved and exhibited. 

“It was very exciting to get the grant,” said Ms. Berger “This was a significant increase over last year and it opens a lot of doors for us because as a nonprofit, our budgets are so conservative.” She explained that a small part of the money is being spent on the current “Sportsmen’s Paradise” exhibit, which traces the evolution of  hunting on Long Island  over the past 100 years from a focus on subsistence and sport to conservation.

Riverhead’s  Hallockville Museum Farm also received $30,000 to enhance its mission  of preserving Long Island’s farming heritage. The money will be used to pay property insurance covering the 19 historic buildings that dot  the 28-acre farm, which costs approximately $25,000 annually. 

“We have a lot of liability exposure. Now we can pay the insurance all at once and then devote our resources to other areas,” said Suzanne Johnson, co-vice president of Hallockville’s board of directors. “The state has recognized the importance of what we’re accomplishing and this grant is significant for us. Small museums like ours need general operating support.” 

“We’ll also use part of the grant for our port-a-potties,” Ms. Johnson said. “We use them from May to September for several of our events.” There are plans next fall to spend about $1 million for an innovative sustainable septic system to support new indoor bathrooms at the Naugles barn as well as a food prep area. Funding for that project will come from private donations and a separate $500,000 grant from the state. 

The fourth recipient, East End Arts on Main Street in downtown Riverhead, was also awarded a NYSCA grant, for which it applies each year. Executive director Diane Burke said that “just to be operational, we have to raise $600K a year. So this helps and allows us to keep our doors open.” EEA hasn’t earmarked the funding for a specific project or event. “There are things that are not sexy, like the lights, the heat and the auditor,” Ms. Burke said. “All things we need to be a public space.

 “The largest we’ve received [from NYSCA] was about $49K,” Ms. Burke added. “And one year we received another $10K for our social media outreach. Money from the state helps us be who we are.”

In a recent press release, Gov. Kathy Hochul said, “Research confirms what we’ve always known here in New York: Arts and culture are a powerhouse. Nonprofit arts and culture organizations and their audiences generated $151.7 billion in economic activity nationwide in 2022.” 

The Riverhead nonprofits are among 1,500 New York artists and organizations that received over $80 million in funding this year.

In a NYSCA  press release, chairman  Katherine Nicholls said: “These organizations and artists together are a powerful driver of health, tourism, economy and education for our residents and visitors. On behalf of the Council and staff, congratulations and thank you for your perseverance, your creativity and your tireless service to New York State.”

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The county had received 24 applications for the funding.

“As we move ahead with our economic development agenda, we will continue to make quality investments to create the robust, vibrant downtowns that make Suffolk County the perfect place to live, work and play,” Mr. Bellone said in a press release.

The three North Fork recipients are:

• Riverhead Business Improvement District Management Association received $16,737 for the  installation of light sculptures along the well of the alleyway connecting East Main Street and the Town-owned parking lot (on Peconic Riverfront). 

The town is currently developing a Town Square across from the Suffolk Theater.

• Southold Historical Museum was awarded $37,500 for replacement of sidewalk and retaining wall along State Route 25, in front of the Southold Historical Museum’s Maple Lane Complex. 

The retaining wall is located in front of the Thomas Moore house, which is across from the Southold Fire Department.

“The wall is leaning toward Route 25 and it needs to be replaced as does the sidewalk in front of it,” said Deanna Witte-Walker, the executive director of the museum. 

The Thomas Moore House is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. 

• Friends of Mitchell Park received $29,899 to update the public restroom facility at Mitchell Park in the Village of Greenport.

Since 1997, Suffolk County has awarded over $12 million in funds for Downtown Revitalization initiatives. Among the various projects that are eligible for grants are curb and sidewalk construction, pedestrian walkways, street lighting, public restrooms, disabled accessibility, and renovations to existing structures, and recreational facilities.

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