May 15, 2017. The farmer-driven Northern New York Agricultural Development Program has announced grant awards for 24 projects. The research projects are focused on dairy animal health, crop disease and pest prevention and management, forage supply options, agricultural nutrient management and farm stewardship, and beef, fruit, vegetable and maple production.
A complete list of the 2017 Northern New York Agricultural Development Program grant projects is online under About Us: Projects at www.nnyagdev.org.
The grants issued by the Northern New York Agricultural Development Program are made possible by State Budget support of the program that prioritizes research and technical assistance to farmers in Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence counties. The Program received $600,000 in the 2017-2018 New York State Budget. The funding is supported by the New York State Senate and administered through the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets.
‘Our thanks go to the New York State Senate for the funding that allows us to address the agricultural challenges and opportunities unique to Northern New York. Our project results support the sustainability of the agricultural economic engine so critical to communities across the region,’ said Northern New York Agricultural Development Program Co-Chair Jon Greenwood, a dairy producer in St. Lawrence County.
‘The funding provided through the leadership of Senators Patty Ritchie, Betty Little and Joe Griffo with support from their Agriculture Committee colleagues and our regional legislators enables on-farm applied research and trials under real-life conditions,’ noted Northern New York Agricultural Development Program Co-Chair Joe Giroux, a dairy operator in Clinton County.
‘State funding for the Northern New York Agricultural Development Program represents an investment that is applied across the diverse agricultural sectors in Northern New York to enhance production efficiency, animal health, environmental stewardship, and farm sustainability. This is especially critical in times of low milk prices that impact our farm-based economy regionwide,’ said Northern New York Agricultural Development Program Co-Chair Jon Rulfs, a dairy and orchard producer in northeastern NNY.
‘I have seen first-hand how the vital research conducted by the Northern New York Agricultural Development Program is impacting New York farmers,’ said Senator Patty Ritchie, who Chairs the Senate Agriculture Committee. ‘I have no doubt the results from the 2017-2018 research projects will go a long way in helping to improve the bottom lines of New York farmers, which will help solidify the future of our state’s leading industry.’
‘This year’s budget contained many important initiatives. Always a priority for me is support for our farmers including funding for the Northern New York Agricultural Development Program,’ said Senator Betty Little. ‘I know the grants being announced today will be put to good use and will help many local farmers do what they do even better. I am so grateful for their hard work, appreciate that they keep us well-fed, and for the jobs and revenue they create that are important to our economy.’
Senator Joe Griffo said, ‘With significant funding once again secured by the State Senate on behalf of the Northern New York Agricultural Development Program, I am hopeful that our farmers will be able to continue the innovative research programs necessary to increase their efficiency and to develop new methods for sustainable success.’
Those receiving Northern New York Agricultural Development Program funds for 2017 projects include Quality Milk Production Services, Canton, NY; W.H. Miner Agricultural Research Institute, Chazy, NY; Cornell University research leaders and extension educators; and the Cornell Agricultural Experiment Station at Willsboro Research Farm, Willsboro, NY.