June 24, 2025 The Northern New York Agricultural Development Program (NNYADP) has thirteen on-farm research projects now underway at sites across the six northernmost counties of New York State, i.e., in Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence counties. An 80-plus volunteer member NNYADP Farmer Committee prioritized the research in support of northern New York’s dairy, maple, local foods, agricultural environmental conservation, farm sustainability, and regional farm-based economy. The projects are made possible by funding from the New York State Legislature through the New York State Assembly. The program most recently received $300,000 in the 2025-2026 New York State Budget.
New York State Assemblymen Billy Jones and Ken Blankenbush serve on the NYS Assembly Agriculture Committee chaired by Assemblymember Donna Lupardo.
“The leadership of Assemblyman Billy Jones, New York State Assembly Agriculture Chair Donna Lupardo, Assemblyman Ken Blankenbush and their Ag Committee colleagues provide the funding that drives our shared mission to continue to grow northern New York’s unique resources as a farm-based economic powerhouse for New York State,” said NNYADP Co-Chair Joseph Giroux, Plattsburgh, New York.
“Having grown up on my family’s dairy farm, I understand the challenges our farms face on a daily basis,” said Assemblyman Billy Jones. “This is why I’m proud to stand up for farmers and secure funding in the budget every year to help continue the great work being done through the Northern New York Agricultural Development Program. Agriculture is a big part of the fabric that makes up the North Country, and these NNYADP grants will help bring the industry in our region to the next level.”
“The Northern New York Agricultural Development Program is a model for strategic investment in cutting-edge research, focusing on farm sustainability, local foods, and more. I’d like to thank my colleagues Assemblymen Billy Jones and Ken Blankenbush for their continued advocacy for the NNYADP’s funding request. The North Country is a vitally important part of the state’s agricultural economy and certainly merits this type of investment,” said Assembly Agriculture Committee Chair Donna Lupardo.
“As a proud representative of the North Country and a member of the Assembly Agricultural Committee, I understand just how vital programs like the Northern New York Agricultural Development Program are to the success of our local farm economy. From research that improves herd health and crop resilience to innovations that protect our natural resources and expand market opportunities, this funding delivers real value to the farmers who feed our communities and fuel our economy. I will continue to advocate for strong investment in agricultural research that helps preserve our way of life, supports, farm families, and strengthens the long-term sustainability of agriculture in northern New York,” said Assemblyman Ken Blankenbush.
NNYADP projects have a proven record of providing data and insight that help farmers adapt to the challenges of northern New York’s weather extremes and emerging pests as well as to the agricultural industry’s environmental stewardship and farm income goals. NNYADP project results are posted at nnyagdev.org.
Jon Greenwood of Canton and Jon Rulfs of Peru, New York, serve as Co-Chairs of the NNYADP with Joe Giroux. Funding for the NNYADP is administrated by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets.