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Research in support of agriculture in Northern New York is conducted on farms and at five agricultural research facilities in the region. Northern New York Agricultural Development Program (NNYADP) Co-Chair Jon Greenwood says, “Ideally, research should be conducted where the practical results of that research will be applied. The projects conducted under our growing conditions help farmers evaluate their potential to enhance yield, quality, and income opportunities for their particular management practices. NNYADP Co-Chair Joe Giroux says, “The research conducted at these Northern New York facilities and on farms offers the latest in production techniques and technology to help farmers maximize effort and income, meet consumer demand, and be good environmental stewards.”

William H. Miner Agricultural Research Institute, Chazy

Cornell Willsboro Research Farm

Cornell Cooperative Extension Learning Farm, Canton

Cornell Uihlein Maple Research Forest, Lake Placid

Cornell Uihlein Potato Research Station, Lake Placid

 

The Importance of Research and Research Farms in NNY (2.1 MB)

The Northern New York agricultural industry encompasses New York State’s six northernmost counties: Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence.

Click here to see 2002-2022 Census of Agriculture data for NNY’s six counties. This quick snapshot shows the scope and importance of the NNY regional agriculture sectors that are so critical to the local, regional, and state economies, and includes:

• more than 1.029 million acres of land in agricultural production
• 3588 farms with more than 63.5% small farms of 179 acres or less
• a farm products market value that exceeds $1.174 billion
• a farm employee payroll that adds more than $139.5 million to the NYS economy, an increase of 65.1 million over 2017 data
• 624 young farmers younger than 35 years old
• 643 producers with military service
• fewer dairy farms, but steady dairy cow numbers across total # of farms 2007-2022
• $21.4 million in organic product sales from 142 organic production farms
• 392 maple farms producing 36% of New York State’s maple syrup from 40% of all of the taps in the state. NNY’s # of taps has grown exponentially since 2000.
• 97 honey farms, an increase of 16 since 2017
• and more insights in the updated Census for NNY.

Agricultural education is well-represented throughout the NNY region with:

• 6 Cornell Cooperative Extension associations providing technical assistance and outreach in a variety of agricultural, horticultural, youth education and community life program areas
• 19 school districts offering agricultural education
• 15 FFA Chapters with more 675 student-members.

The link above to the NNY Census of Agriculture data summary includes data on: 
Acres planted in corn (grain and silage)
Average Value Farm Sales (product, in dollars)
Average # of acres per farm
Berry Farms (farm numbers)
Cow Numbers: Beef
Cow Numbers: Dairy
Dairy Farms (numbers)
Farm distribution by size (acres)
Farm employee numbers
Farm employee payroll
Farm labor (unpaid numbers)
Farm numbers
Farms raising beef (numbers)
Farm sales: Market Value (product, in millions)
Farms with honey sales
Farms with new and beginning producers
Land in berry production (acres)
Land in farms (acres)
Land in orchards (acres)
Land in vegetable production (acres)
Land Use Practices (# of farms)
Maple Farms (numbers)
Maple Production (gallons)
Orchards (farm numbers)
Organic Production (farm numbers)
Organic Production (product sales in millions)
Sheep Numbers
Vegetable Crop Value (in 1000s)
Vegetable Farms (numbers)
Top 10 Rankings for Sales: NNY has 19 top ten ratings by county across NYS
Total farm product sales value
Young Farmer Numbers

NNY Regional Agriculture Profile: Ag Census data

NNYADP Economic Impact Statements

2024 NNYADP Projects Request for Proposals Forms

FAQ
What is the Northern New York Agricultural Development Program?
A farmer-driven small grants program funding high priority, cutting-edge research and technical assistance for all sectors of agriculture in Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence counties.  Nearly 100 farmers representing the diverse agricultural sectors in NNY and farm enterprises of all sizes identify needs and opportunities for projects that will produce practical, real-world results than benefit farms, agricultural businesses, and the communities of the six-county NNY region. Funding for the Northern New York Agricultural Development Program is supported by the New York State Legislature and administered through the New York State Department of Agricultural and Markets.

What is the focus of Northern New York Agricultural Development Program projects?
In any given year, NNYADP projects span the diversity of farming enterprises in the region, from dairy, livestock and crops to fruits and vegetables,  maple production, opportunities for season extension, and new and niche product development. Projects may focus on production efficiency, environmental stewardship, business planning/analysis, marketing, value-added enterprise, crop variety trials, and other critical efforts.

Who partners with the Northern New York Agricultural Development Program?
Click here to learn more

How long has the Northern New York Agricultural Development Program been at work for NNY farmers?
Click here to learn the NNYADP history

What do NNY’s farmers say about the Northern New York Agricultural Development Program?
“The NNYADP gives us real-life testing with our soils, our climate, and our shorter growing season. Farmers across the region look to the proactive research and survey work prioritized by their peers with the Northern New York Agricultural Development Program for the results and insights they can apply in a practical way on their farms and that strengthen the agricultural industries that support our communities — St. Lawrence County Dairy Farmer Jon Greenwood, Canton

“Installing tiles (as suggested by NNYADP research results) has saved me thousands of dollars in annual costs, improving the soil, reducing compaction, and making it easier to plant and harvest crops.”  — St. Lawrence County farmer Kevin Acres

This NNYADP-driven research is “a way to develop an opportunity for extra income, extend our maple season. . . regional research is part of helping landowners discover untapped resources they may not be aware of or may be cutting down for firewood.” — Joy Herfurth, Brandy Brook Maple, Ellenburg Center

“The Northern New York Agricultural Development Program research and training has been very good for helping us cope with an increasing problem of alfalfa snout beetle in the Malone area. We plan to open our own nematode rearing business.” — Mary DeBeer, DeBeer Seeds & Spraying, Malone, May 2015. (This new enterprise opened in 2016.)

“NNYADP research continues work started by (NNYADP founder) Bob Lucey that contributes to the prosperity of farms across Northern New York.” — Ev Thomas, retired agronomist, Miner Institute, Chazy

“The NNYADP research covers a lot of ground, literally, with test plots on operating farms across the six-county region. The research done here often serves as a sentinel alerting regional farmers to new field and livestock challenges, first-wave opportunities for management response, and control solution that may benefit farms in Northern New York and beyond.” — Clinton County Dairy Farmer Joe Giroux, Plattsburgh

“The Northern New York Agricultural Development Program combines the on-the-ground knowledge of regional farmers, the academic expertise of the best researchers from Cornell University, Miner Institute, SUNY and others. . . to meet needs and develop opportunities to grow the regional farming industry in practical, timely and sound ways.” — Jon Rulfs, dairy and orchard owner, Clinton County