Welcome to the Suffolk County Department of Economic Development and Planning’s monthly E-Newsletter. This is published on or about the second Tuesday of every month. In it you will find relevant and helpful information relating to a myriad of local, regional, national and international matters pertaining to, of course, Agriculture and Fishing including events, fun facts, funding opportunities, innovation, policy, resources, science, videos, and more.
We hope you enjoy the newsletter and will share it with family, friends and colleagues and anybody else you think would appreciate and benefit from it. One can subscribe HERE.
Please check out our Suffolk County, NY, Economic Development and Planning Facebook page and help us grow our following. Like, Follow and Share our page with anyone and everyone you think would be interested in keeping up with all the exciting happenings in Suffolk County and our region. Find it here: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555650145968.
2025 Long Island Greenhouse & Floriculture Conference
Tuesday, January 21, 2025, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
This one-day educational conference and trade show for greenhouse growers and industry professionals will address current issues and updates.
Click HERE for more information and to register.
Discover Boating New York Boat Show
January 22 – 26, Javits Center, NYC
The Discover Boating New York Boat Show has a wide selection of boats, an abundance of must-see attractions, and fun features for all ages. Don’t miss the Opening Night Party benefitting the Billion Oyster Project. Join us for an evening of fun and purpose featuring: Beer & Wine Bar, Local Peconic Gold Oyster Bar, Chef Demo & Tasting by Kerry Heffernan of Grand Banks, Live DJ, Beach Games & more!
For more information visit Discover Boating NY Boat Show.
NYS Beginning Farmer Competitive Grant Program
Applications will be accepted through January 24, 2025.
New York Farm Viability Institute (NYFVI) is pleased to announce a new competitive grant program to help beginning farmers build financially sustainable and independent, commercial agricultural businesses. $850,000 will be awarded in this Statewide program. For more information and to apply, click HERE.
Coastal Research and Education Society of Long Island Upcoming Seal Walks
January 26, February 9 and March 9.
Join CRESLI this winter and spring to observe, photograph, and learn about Long Island's seals during the 20th year of seal walks at Cupsogue. These 1.2 miles round trip walks are suitable for children and take about 1 to 1.5 hours. Learn from experts and see how citizen science works!
For more information on these and other events, visit Suffolk County Parks HERE
Cornell Cooperative Extension, Suffolk County - Turf Pest Workshop
Tuesday, January 28, 2025, 8:00 AM - 11:45 AM
This half day workshop will focus on turfgrass insect pests as well as an introduction to IPM approaches for turfgrass pest issues. Control options and how we’ll manage them without neonicotinoids in the future will be presented as well as a discussion of the Birds & Bees Protection Act.
Suffolk County Aquaculture Lease Program in Peconic Bay and Gardiners Bay.
2025 Lease Application Cycle CLOSES Friday February 14, 2025
This Application Cycle will also be open to private oyster grant owners who wish to cultivate species other than oysters on their grant parcels and to leaseholders that wish to relocate to a new lease site location or are interested in applying for a second lease site location. For more information and to Register, click HERE.
Restoring Tribal Priority Fish Passage through Barrier Removal Grants
Proposals must be received through Grants.gov by 11:59 PM Eastern time on February 27, 2025.
Up to $20 million in funding is available for fish passage and tribal capacity building under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. For more information and to apply, click HERE.
Suffolk County Soil and Water Conservation District
2025 Agriculture Education in the Classroom Grants
Proposals must be received by COB February 28, 2025.
The District is requesting proposals for projects to develop, sustain, and expand classroom agricultural education programs in Suffolk County schools (K-12). The goal of this grant is to increase awareness of local agricultural production in Suffolk County and to strengthen the connection students have with healthy, fresh, local foods. Awards range from $500 to $3,000.
Annual New York Seafood Summit
Monday, March 3, 2025 – Cornell University AgriTech, Geneva, NY
Friday, March 28, 2025 – Riverhead Free Library, Riverhead, NY
Tuesday, June 2, 2025 – Culinary Institute of America, Hyde Park, NY
New York Sea Grant, in collaboration with industry, academic and other professional seafood stakeholders, offers its annual "NY Seafood Summit." The goal of the summit is to convene a group of enthusiastic professionals with vested interest in seafood to build active communications between the various sectors of New York's seafood industry. For more information, click HERE.
New York State Grown & Certified Cooperative Marketing Program
A total of $500,000 in funding is available. Funding requests shall not exceed $10,000. Awards will be distributed for new marketing and promotional projects that create lasting and meaningful exposure of NYS G&C to consumers. Applicants must participate in the NYS G&C program and have signed a licensing agreement. For more information and to apply, click HERE,
CCE is Hiring!
See below for a sampling of open positions.
Visit Cornell Cooperative Extension Careers page for more.
Facilities Assistant - Yaphank, NY
Hatchery Technician - Southold, NY
Turf and IPM Specialist – Riverhead
4-H Youth Development Director / Farm Manager - Yaphank
Suffolk County Parks 2025 Fee Schedule
On The Water ARTICLE:
Five Lures for Winter Trout Fishing
LI fisheries offer fresh, local catch to diners’ menu.
Dock to Dish® was founded in Montauk, New York in 2012 as one of the original community-supported fisheries in the United States. Spearheaded by a group of local commercial fishermen, food activists, and chefs, they set forth with a simple goal - provide fresh, local and sustainable fish to nearby restaurants and community members.
Modern Farmer - 10 Essential Guides for the Farm Curious
So you want to start farming, but you're not sure where to start. Farming at any scale – whether it’s a countertop herb garden or an acre of land – can be intimidating. But if you’re ready to get started, Modern Farmer has you covered. Check out these helpful Guides HERE.
SeafoodSource ARTICLE (just because):
Prized tuna fetches $1.3 million at Toyosu's first auction of 2025.
National Fisherman ARTICLE: Building the next generation of commercial fishermen.
With a graying fleet and evolving challenges, the industry’s leaders are stepping up to mentor, train, and inspire the next generation.
East Coast Shellfish Growers Association - Where Can I Buy Shellfish or Find Farm Tours?
This helpful and informative website helps you find growers and dealers near you who sell shellfish and kelp, some even offer catering service or farm tours, while some operate farm stands or sell at farmers markets near their growing grounds. There are also categories for online retail sales, and delivery and pick-up options. You can narrow your search by distance and type of product or service.
Seafood Handbook brought to you FREE by the editors of SeaFood Business magazine.
The Seafood Handbook is the most comprehensive seafood directory available online and is the ultimate guide to seafood sourcing and preparation, featuring more than 100 of the most common types of fish and other seafood in the U.S. market. Search by finfish or shellfish. For each type of seafood species, there is a comprehensive overview of the item, its origin, history, availability, product attributes, nutritional value and cooking tips.
State Agency Grant Funding Opportunities
The New York Statewide Financial System (SFS) provides a one-stop shop to access all available state agency grant funding. All grant funding opportunities will require applicants to register as a vendor in SFS to apply. Find out more HERE.
Farmers’ Markets & Farm Stands – Suffolk County
Farmers’ Markets – Nassau County
For archived copies of this Newsletter click HERE