Program Administrator for the Socially and Economically Disadvantaged Farmers Competitive Grant Program Round 3

The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets issued Request for Information RFI0431 on September 11, 2026, to identify qualified entities to serve as the Program Administrator for Round 3 of the Socially and Economically Disadvantaged Farmers Competitive Grant Program. This is a market research effort and not a formal solicitation; a Request for Proposals will be issued at a later date. Eligible entities include municipalities, public benefit corporations, local development corporations, and not-for-profit organizations. The selected administrator will manage a total fund of 2,000,000 dollars, with a maximum of 300,000 dollars allocated for administrative costs and a minimum of 1,700,000 dollars reserved for grants. The Program Administrator will be responsible for developing the RFP, conducting outreach and promotional activities, evaluating proposals, executing grant agreements, and providing progress reports to the Department. Individual grants must range between 5,000 and 250,000 dollars, with a recipient match requirement of no more than 20 percent. Interested organizations must submit a Letter of Interest by October 8, 2026, detailing their mission, experience in providing financial assistance, and ability to work with local producers and community groups. The primary point of contact for this effort is Mary Clark-Smith, Economic Development Program Specialist.