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
- Applicability: 100% of maple syrup is sourced from New York maple trees and processed in New York State. When syrup of a desired grade is not available as required, up to 25% may be sourced from out-of-state. Value added products must be processed in a 20-c facility.
- Food Safety: Certificate of completion of Cornell Cooperative Extension's Maple Food Safety Class OR passing grade (22/25) on the Food Safety Best Practices for Producing Maple Syrup in New York State open book exam and compliance with food safety best practices.
- Environmental Stewardship: Producer participates in one of the following environmental management programs:
- Every three years, farms are required to participate/renew in the New York State Agricultural Environmental Management (AEM) program, administered by county Soil and Water Conservation districts, with the completion of Tier 2 of the program (or higher). Renewals must be submitted to the Department.
- Group Certified Tree Farmer, administered by the American Tree Farm System. Plan must have been developed in the last 10 years that clearly identifies/incorporates your sugar bush as a management objective. Renewal every three years.
- Formulation Statements: Formulation statements will be required for any value added/processed products using the NYS Grown & Certified label. Certifications are product specific, not facility wide.
Application