Tompkins County Agriculinary Tourism

2020 Farm to Fork Microgrant ProgramProgram Summary: The Ithaca/Tompkins County Convention & Visitors Bureau, also known as Visit Ithaca (a division of the Tompkins County Chamber of Commerce), has a focus on advancing agriculinary tourism in Tompkins County. A portion of Visit Ithaca’s budget has been allocated to provide microgrants direct to agriculture-based businesses to expand agriculinary tourism offerings, that promote overnight visitation in Tompkins County. These grants are meant to be the finishing dollars for the business’s project. The project must fit within one of the following goals:

[1] to promote overnight visitation in county-registered accommodation,i.e.: Overnight package, multiday event.

[2] enhance visitor readiness, i.e.: Signage, beautification, renovations, accessibility.

[3] to add or improve public-facing activities, offerings or amenities,i.e.: A tasting room, an event, addition of U-pick, yard games.

[4] enhance marketing/communication of your business,i.e.: Website updates, branding, marketing, promotional items.

[5] or on a case by case basis, please check with Agriculinary Tourism Marketing Coordinator prior to applying.

*Please see appendix for past examples of the microgrants.

Funding Available: Microgrants of up to $500 are available to agriculture-based businesses. This is a reimbursement grant: monies will be disbursed within 30 days after receipt of final report (form, invoices and photos).

In order to receive approval, the grant application must meet the following criteria: Business must be agriculture-based: farms, food/beverage producers, artisans, markets. Business must reside within Tompkins County. Project must demonstrate intention to grow agriculinary tourism within Tompkins County. Project should be part of larger investment made by the business. Projects should be a new project. Businesses cannot receive multiple grants over the years for

the same project. Willingness to incorporate the Farm to Fork logo on the business’s website linking to the Visit

Ithaca Farm to Fork web page. Willingness to attend Visit Ithaca’s workshops.

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Ineligible: Businesses outside Tompkins County, using funds to underwrite existing operational costs, have received the Farm to Fork Microgrant the past two consecutive years, or farm-lodging properties not registered with Tompkins County Budget and Finance to collect occupancy tax.

Evaluation Criteria: Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis as of February 1, 2020. This is a first come, first serve grant. Applications will be evaluated based on how relevant the project is to the goals outlined above and to the optimal goal of creating overnight visitation in Tompkins County.

Submission Process: Please complete the application and submit preferably by email to kendall@visitithaca.com, or by mail to Kendall Blizzard at the Ithaca/Tompkins County Convention & Visitors Bureau (Visit Ithaca) 904 East Shore Drive, Ithaca, NY 14850. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis from February 1, 2020 until September 1st, 2020, or until grant funding is expended.

Review Process: Once applications are received by the Agriculinary Tourism Marketing Coordinator, they will be reviewed for completeness and eligibility. The Agriculinary Tourism Advisory Committee will be consulted and asked for feedback on the grant applications and final reports.

If a project is time-sensitive, applicant should inform the Agriculinary Tourism Marketing Coordinator and note project timeline requirements in the email submission.

Required Deliverables: Completed projects, final reports, copies of invoices and photographic evidence will need to be submitted by November 30th, 2020 in order to receive reimbursement. Please see the final report form (visitithaca.com/farm-fork-tourism-partners) for specific details.

Have questions or what to connect? Please email Kendall Blizzard, the Agriculinary Tourism Marketing Coordinator, at kendall@visitithaca.com or call (607) 272-1313 ext. #244.

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2020 Application: Tompkins County Agriculinary Tourism Farm to Fork Microgrant ProgramApplications reviewed on a rolling basis until September 1, 2020 or until grant funding is expended.

Farm or Business Name: ___________________________________________________________

Contact Name: __________________________________________________________________

Does your business reside in Tompkins County? Y____ N____

Address: ________________________________________________________________________

Telephone #: ________________________________

E-mail address: ______________________________ Website: ____________________________

Years in business: ________________ Amount requested (maximum $500): ________________

My business is open to the public… (select one)during regularly scheduled hours | by appointment only | during special events | other

Please describe your agritourism business and its goods/services.

Please briefly describe the project and why it’s necessary for your business.

Which goal (outlined on pg. 1) are you looking to accomplish? [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] (select at least one)Please explain how this project would support the goal.

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Please briefly describe the project timeline, including your anticipated completion date. (Note: the project, report and its deliverables must be completed and sent in by Nov 30)

Please briefly describe your project budget, including all sources of funding and how each will be used. Then fill out accompanying table.

Planned Budget:Funding Source Amount Use of Funding

Owner Financing/Equity

Bank/Outside Funding

Microgrant (Max $500)

Total Project Cost

I understand that a change to an approved grant needs approval by grant manager, Kendall Blizzard. I understand I am required to submit a project description, digital photographs and all invoices prior to reimbursement. I understand the requirements and agree to abide by the terms:

______________________________________________ ________________________Signature of Applicant Date

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Appendix – examples of past microgrants.

South Hill Cider — [2] Enhance visitor readiness: Signage

Of the Forest Farm – [4] Enhance marketing/communication: Website updates

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