A new state grant program is offering financial relief to New York farmers facing rising production costs, and local officials are encouraging Hudson Valley growers to take advantage of the opportunity.

The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets recently launched the Agricultural Resiliency Against Tariffs Grant Program, a $30 million initiative that provides eligible farms with grants ranging from $1,000 to $25,000 to help offset increased operating expenses tied to tariffs.

Ulster County Legislator Laura Donovan, who represents the Marlborough and Milton area, said the funding comes at a critical time for local agriculture.

“What it means is, if they’re eligible, they can apply and receive a grant payment anywhere from $1,000 up to $25,000,” Donovan said. “This is really meant to help with the increased costs due to tariffs. For many of our local specialty crop growers, especially our apple growers, fertilizer costs have been very high because of tariffs, so this is really meant to help with the extra cost the farmers are paying now to keep their farms running.”

Donovan said supporting agriculture is central to representing a district where farming remains a cornerstone of the local economy.

“Marlborough truly is an agriculture community that is the backbone of our local community,” she said.

The grant program arrives as many Hudson Valley farms continue recovering from an unusually severe spring frost that damaged crops across the region.

“When the frost happened back in April, I knew this was going to be a really tough year for our farmers,” Donovan said. “Many local farmers are really concerned about what happens next year as well, especially our commercial apple growers, because if they don’t have apples to sell this year, they might lose those contracts they’ve had for next year.”

In response to the crop losses, Donovan has advocated for additional federal assistance. She spearheaded a bipartisan memorializing resolution in the Ulster County Legislature requesting that the U.S. Department of Agriculture issue a disaster declaration, which would allow eligible farmers to access low-interest loans and other federal relief programs.

While many farms carry crop insurance, Donovan said not every operation qualifies or participates, particularly smaller specialty farms.

“This is really about making sure that farms of all sizes can continue to be farms moving forward,” she said.

The Agricultural Resiliency Against Tariffs Grant Program was announced earlier this year as part of Gov. Kathy Hochul’s 2026 State of the State agenda. Donovan said the timing of the application rollout, which opened June 29, makes it especially valuable for local growers now facing both weather-related losses and higher operating costs.

“We know that the farmers locally are hurting already from the frost,” she said. “The intent of this program was really meant to help with the increased costs that farmers are absorbing from tariffs.”

Looking ahead, Donovan said she plans to continue working with local, state and federal partners, including the Ulster County Soil and Water Conservation District, Cornell Cooperative Extension and regional elected officials, to identify additional resources for farmers.

“It’s really having multiple conversations and making sure people understand what the challenges are and what the farmers are going through right now,” she said.

Despite the difficult growing season, Donovan said she remains inspired by the resilience of the farming community.

“The farming community continues to be a resilient community,” she said. “It truly is amazing to watch them continue keeping farms. We want to support that. That really is the heart of what makes Marlborough and Southern Ulster.”

Donovan is encouraging eligible farmers to apply, emphasizing that the program was designed to provide relief at a time when many operations face financial uncertainty.

“This was already somewhat in the works, which is great,” she said. “Now that it’s out, I’m encouraging all the farmers that are eligible to apply for it.”

She said the grants are intended to help farms absorb rising costs while allowing them to continue operating through another challenging growing season. While local officials continue to push for additional federal assistance following the spring frost damage, Donovan said the state program offers an immediate opportunity for eligible producers to receive financial support.

She added that increased public awareness is just as important as financial assistance.

“It’s really about making sure we’re educating folks on the challenges that go into running a farm so that we all can better understand the support they need to keep going,” Donovan said.

Farmers can review eligibility requirements and submit applications through the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets at agriculture.ny.gov/agricultural-resiliency-against-tariffs-program.