Governor Andrew Cuomo announced the latest round of the New Farmers Grant Fund June 8, with over $743,000 in grants to support 25 early-stage agricultural businesses across New York State, including a few locally. The MX Morningstar Farm in Columbia County got a $19,200 grant, and the Sparrowbush Farm in Columbia County got $16,932. In Dutchess County, the Alewife Farm received $15,728 and the Sawkill Farm received $33,925. In Ulster County, the Platte Creek Maple Farm got $26,289 from the program, now in its second round, that is meant to assist, "early-stage farmers in improving their farm’s profitability, and as a result, adding to the diversification and growth of New York’s agricultural sector."