Overview
The New York State Grown & Certified program makes it easy for consumers to identify local, safely handled, and environmentally responsible agricultural products. This voluntary program is a cooperative effort among producers, processors, wholesalers, retailers, restaurants, and the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets to meet consumer demand for high-quality food and agricultural products. Upon acceptance to the New York State Grown & Certified program, participants will be able to display a new high-impact label that will clearly stand out, telling the consumer their food handling practices are audited and they operate their farms in an environmentally responsible manner.
Program Requirements & Application
Program Requirements
- Plant Fiber: New York farm-raised raw industrial hemp, flax, linen, etc. biomass for fiber products. All hemp farms must participate in the NYS Hemp Licensing Program and maintain a hemp grower license.
- Animal Fiber: New York farm-raised raw wool, alpaca, cashmere, angora, etc., fiber.
- Processed Fiber Products: Processed fiber products must contain a majority of ingredients (51% or more) from New York State Grown & Certified farms. All processed fiber producers must include records and receipts of their farm sources and percentage of fiber from each source. Processing may take place outside of New York.
- Environmental Requirement: Every three years, NYS Grown & Certified farm suppliers participate in/ renew the Agricultural Environmental Management (AEM) program, administered by their county Soil & Water Department, with the completion of Tier 2 or the program (or higher). Renewals must be submitted to the Department.
Application