Advancing Forest Markets

Any entity that owns, leases, or operates land for agricultural or forest production—including but not limited to nurseries and landowners who own more than one acre of forest or land that may become forest—can establish farm records with the USDA Farm Service Agency (farm, tract, and fields numbers).

To apply, applicants DO NOT need to have farm records fully established. However, applicants do need to confirm that they are eligible to establish farm records with USDA FSA staff. USDA FSA staff only provide information on establishing farm service records, and cannot answer other questions related to the AFM grant program. If you have questions related to this program, email the AFM grants team.

• To establish farm records with the USDA FSA, applicants will need to visit their local farm service center and complete several documents. Applicants should contact their local farm service center to schedule an appointment to establish these records.
• During their visit, applicants should bring:
  • Their proof of identity (ex: driver’s license, social security card, IRS EIN);
  • A copy of the deed and plat to their land;
  • Copies of any agricultural lease or rental agreements;
  • Their Entity Identification Status;
  • Business documents;
  • Trust and estate documents; and
  • Any partnership agreements.
• In addition, personnel signing up for incorporated operations and entities will need to bring proof of their signature authority and legal ability to sign contracts with USDA.
• The applicant will have a one-on-one meeting with FSA staff to better understand the applicant’s business and conservation goals and register their farm with FSA. As part of this process, applicants will likely be asked to fill out several forms including:
  • Complete an AD-2047 (Customer Data Worksheet to facilitate the collection of customer data for Business Partner Record); 
  • Complete a CCC-901 (entities only; Farm Operating Plan for Payment Eligibility 2009 and Subsequent Program Years); 
  • Certify HELC and WC compliance via Form AD-1026, Highly Erodible Land Conservation (HELC) and Wetland Conservation (WC) Certification. HELC and WC compliance are required to receive funding through this opportunity; and  
  • Forms to certify that they are not a foreign person or entity.

In addition to establishing farm records with the USDA FSA, eligible applicants must meet the requirements for the specific program(s) they are applying for (25 Million Trees Nursery Discount Program, Growing Reforestation Opportunities Program, or Tree Markets Boost and Revitalization Program).

Eligible applicants for the TND

Eligible applicants that grow and sell trees may apply for the 25 Million Trees Nursery Discount Program. 

Incentives to Market Affordable Trees

Awardees will be reimbursed for selling high-quality, native trees to customers (at up to a 75% discount). Additionally, participating nurseries will receive an enrollment payment and a 7.5% incentive on the retail value of each tree sold.  These payments are intended to incentivize nurseries to invest in scaling up their operations and increase the number of affordable native trees to consumers in New York State.

LEARN MORE ABOUT 25 MILLION TREES

Eligible applicants for GRO

Entities that specialize in the collection, processing, germination, storage, propagation, and/or growing of trees and those that support this supply chain through associated market, workforce, and network development in New York State. 
An Excel spreadsheet (available under Downloadable Documents for Applicants) is required as part of the GRO application process.  

Incentives to Market Affordable Trees

In addition to an initial enrollment payment, awardees will apply to receive payments for scaling up the production and marketing of high-quality native trees in New York.

Eligible GRO Projects

Examples of project proposals may include, but are not limited to:

• Projects that invest in operations to increase direct production, capacity for production, processing or implementation speed, and/or development of new products or markets, such as efforts to directly increase the collection and storage of seed and production of trees for sale or distribution.
• Facilitation, development and maintenance of seed collection and/or tree production networks.
• Market development.
• Product marketing and outreach.
• Creation and dissemination of educational programming, trainings and workforce development programs, and associated materials.
• Certifications.
• Development, procurement, or expansion of standardized collection and/or banking protocols.
• Technology capacity, software, data, licenses, or other resources necessary to catalyze market production and supply chain development and coordination, including, but not limited to programs and databases that connect reforestation suppliers to practitioners or assist in tracking plant material sourcing.

Applicants may include investments necessary to increase their capacity for implementation, production, and marketing such as hiring staff, investing in operations, and developing education, outreach, trainings, and networks.

Excluded Activities and Projects: Applications related to equipment, infrastructure, or direct implementation practices that alter vegetation or soils (ex: tree planting, vegetation management, fence installation, or forest stand improvement). Additionally, projects supporting Christmas tree farms and orchards supply chains, markets, and other related activities are not eligible for this opportunity.

Eligible applicants for TMBR

Eligible applicants that own at least one acre of forest land (at least 120 ft wide, with 10% tree cover where trees reach maturity) that allow harvesting or land that has the potential to become forest in New York State.

An Excel spreadsheet (available under Downloadable Documents for Applicants) is required as part of the TMBR application process.  

Eligible TMBR Projects

In addition to an initial enrollment payment, awardees will apply to receive payments for scaling up tree and forest-based production, markets, and market capacity. Examples of project proposals may include, but are not limited to:

• Planning efforts including, establishing property boundaries; timber inventory, appraisal, marking, and sale contract development; forest management and silvicultural practice plans; estate and forest legacy planning; and timber harvest prescription plans.
• Facilitation, development and maintenance of tree and forest-based production networks.
• Market development.
• Product marketing and outreach.
• Attendance, creation and facilitation of educational programming, trainings, workshops, and workforce development programs, and associated materials.
• Certifications to expand capacity or boost market access.
• Projects that invest in operations to increase direct production, capacity for production, processing or implementation speed, and/or development of new products or markets, such as efforts to directly increase capacity for reforestation efforts, sustainable timber harvesting, and production of other forest products;
• Development, procurement, or expansion of standardized best management practices and protocols.
• Technology capacity, software, data, licenses, or other resources necessary to catalyze market production and supply chain development and coordination, including, but not limited to programs and databases that connect suppliers to practitioners.

Applicants may include investments necessary to increase their capacity for implementation, production, and marketing such as hiring staff, investing in operations, and development of education, outreach, training, and networks.

Excluded Activities and Projects: Applications related to equipment, infrastructure, or direct implementation practices that alter vegetation or soils (ex: tree planting, vegetation management, fence installation, or forest stand improvement).